Introduction
Horseracing has been a very traditional sport for many years now; however, the revolution of technology in recent years has been transforming the sport. Modern technology is being implemented through AI, tracking systems, and data analysis. This has increased productivity with workers in the horse racing industry, and it’s helping enhance the sport as we know it. Soon, if you want to be involved in horse racing, knowing how this technology works will be a must-have attribute.
The Rise of Statistics in Horse Racing
In the past, many decisions made in horse racing were based on what people were seeing and the experience they had in making that decision. In recent years, data has been used increasingly in order to plan out training sessions and track horse races. This has improved the quality of training for horses significantly as trainers can now find flaws in their horse by analysing data obtained from training or any horse races it’s participated in. Perhaps some of these flaws in the horse may not be observable; this makes the rise of data usage in horse racing extremely valuable, as it can pick up on things that the eyes can’t.
Artificial Intelligence in Horse-Racing
AI is one of the most impactful changes in horse racing in recent history. Artificial intelligence is operated to pick up on patterns that almost no human could spot, allowing for very advanced analysis to be made on horses and horse-racers. Analysing multiple factors, such as race history, results of a race, surfaces of a track, the performance of a jockey, weather, recovery patterns, and training data. This allows for very accurate insights into the performance of a race, the probabilities of how the performance of a race may go, and strategies to place highly in the race.
Injury risk is another factor that AI can analyse. It can do this by monitoring movements and the biomechanics of a horse; it will pick up on small things that may lead to big injuries in the future; this is a quality that very few humans possess. This can help horses stay healthier and decrease the chance of injury. This may be the most important feature of AI in horse racing, as it promotes the well-being of horses by finding potential causes for injury early on, increasing the horse’s longevity.
GPS Tracking and Wearable Technology
Horses can also be monitored closely due to the utilisation of GPS trackers and sensors. These trackers are used in training to measure speed, acceleration, distance travelled, heart rate and stride. The GPS systems provide positioning on the track during a race, allowing analysts to study how the horse moves and how the speed is compared to other horses on the track. This data is priceless whenever it comes to fixing tactics and strategies used to gain a lead, allowing them to come up with more energy-efficient ways for the horse to race. Along with this, trackers allow us to track the physicals of the horse, so if there’s anything wrong, they’ll be able to get the horse medical attention.
Advanced Analytics
This involves creating statistical models in order to analyse races and training on a deeper and more precise level. One way this is done is by analysing the performance of a horse in specific conditions, so if it competes in conditions similar to this again, it’s possible to detect an accurate outcome. Pace maps of the race can also tell you how fast the horses are predicted to move across the entire race. This can assist analysts in creating strategies and tactics, judging from where the horses may be at early points of the race. Track configuration trends can help ensure a horse’s safety on the track, and these trends may alter a horse’s pace or affect the likelihood of injury. Competitor analysis involves evaluating an opponent’s horse; analysts can use this data to devise strategies that exploit a competitor’s weaknesses in a race.
Data visualisation is utilised to improve understanding of what’s happening in the game and to simplify the advanced statistics that are being measured. It also makes advanced statistics easier to read; it is commonly used in pace maps and in heat maps. Developments like this have made racing more of a battle of strategy and analysing data, rather than a battle between the physicality of all of the horses.
Fan Engagement and Digitalisation of Horse Racing
Technology is increasing the understanding of horse racing for fans as the broadcasts present data through visualisations for viewers, which influences how fans see the sport of horse racing. This is because it allows them to appreciate what the horses are doing on the track. Mobile apps for horse racing are also becoming common as they include live broadcasts, which some fans pair with live betting; this makes horse racing more accessible for newer audiences who are used to sports rich in statistics and numbers. Media coverage also becomes more common as it’s easier to explore data and trends rather than just watching the horse race.
The Ethics of Technology Adoption in Horse Racing
Some believe that technology could lead to unfair advantages between teams in horse racing; some teams may not be able to afford the technology that another team could afford. This could create large skill gaps between teams with more funding and others with less funding. Dependency on technology is also a major problem; it’s meant to improve decision-making, not make all of the decisions for you. People who are experienced should still give their opinion; data is just meant to enhance decision-making.
Conclusion
Many new technologies are changing horse racing as we know it, amplifying the impact of trainers and analysts. Implementations of technology are paving the way for a better, new, and improved future of horse racing. A future where data and people work together to produce high-end decision-making and entertainment. For anyone into horse racing, whether an analyst, bettor, or fan, it’s in your best interest to learn about the technology that’s put into use in the world of horse racing. Technology isn’t just changing horse racing; it’s evolving horse racing.
