When you look at horse racing, you probably think that there isn’t much changed in the sport throughout the years. Horses go on the same path to the finish line, the rules are pretty much the same, and almost all horse racing events are giving off that retro and traditional vibe.
But if we peel a couple of layers, we can see that technology has truly revolutionized sport in many different aspects. Nowadays, the sport is more entertaining just because we can experience the action in a much more immersive way even on TV, it is also safer and more accessible all over the world.
I think we live in an era where technological advancements are happening faster than a horse running at the Kentucky Derby. No industry on the planet is immune to these changes, not even the horse racing industry, which has always been carefully tied to tradition.
What’s the real impact of technology on the Sport of Kings in the last 10 years?
Betting Goes Digital
We start with a byproduct of horse racing, but a byproduct that has a direct impact on the sport. Can you imagine horse racing without betting? – Nobody can. It is the lifeblood of the sport and the thing that makes it even more exciting.
In the past decade, we’ve seen a huge advancement in terms of online betting, which affected the sport in a positive way. Even though online betting has been available for more than a decade ago, the platforms had limited options, especially for a sport like horse racing. They didn’t cover many of the races across the world, and online betting wasn’t allowed in most countries.
Nowadays, we have special websites dedicated only to online horse racing betting, covering thousands of races every year. This has made horse racing betting more available than ever before, which eventually increased the interest in the sport.
On top of that, online betting platforms have become more user-friendly. Nowadays, apart from being able to place various horse racing bets, you also can compare odds, get the latest statistical data, browse through the Saratoga horse racing picks by TwinSpires, receive real-time updates, dive into live-betting after the race starts, and even watch the race through live streaming directly on the platform.
This has been a major shift in the industry, and it went from a traditional limited betting on the track where you had to elbow your way through the crowd to a more accessible online platform.
Safety
Horse racing has always been labeled as an unethical sport towards the animals. Why? Well, maybe because of the unethical practices that certain individuals used over the years to gain an advantage in a race (and win money), which led to horse injuries and even deaths.
But we are well past this point, thanks to technology. Nowadays, racehorse owners and trainers know more about their horse’s health than their own health, thanks to trackers that measure their vital signs. On top of that, we’ve seen companies that infuse this technology with AI to a point where it acts as a predictive model that is capable of highlighting potential injury risks before they even happen.
Nowadays, we also have thermal imaging cameras that help veterinarians monitor horses during and after the race, and other advanced equipment like MRI scanners, X-rays, and endoscopes that are capable of identifying and treating injuries.
Additionally, the dirt you see on the racetrack is not a speck of dirt at all. It is a synthetic material designed to look like dirt, and this has made horse racing tracks safer than ever before.
That’s why we are seeing a major drop in equine fatalities over the last couple of years.
Data: The New Jockey’s Best Friend
Horse racing is no longer just about gut instinct and experience; it’s a data-driven affair. With an ever-growing array of data analytics tools at their disposal, trainers and jockeys can optimize performance like never before.
Key Data Tools:
- Fitness Trackers: Similar to human versions, these devices track a horse’s speed, stamina, and heart rate, allowing trainers to fine-tune training regimens.
- Track Condition Sensors: Devices like the GoingStick provide precise information about track conditions, helping trainers decide which horses are best suited to the day’s surface.
These tools not only help in understanding a horse’s current form but also in predicting race outcomes more accurately. It’s like having a crystal ball but one that’s backed by hard data.
Viewing the Race: More Than Just Spectacle
Gone are the days when attending a race meant craning your neck for a glimpse of the action. Modern technology has revolutionized the spectator experience, both at the track and at home.
- High-Definition Cameras: Provide crystal-clear views of the race, making photo finishes more accurate and less controversial.
- Virtual and Augmented Reality: Imagine watching a race from the jockey’s perspective or seeing a digital overlay of race statistics as the horses thunder down the track. VR and AR are making this possible.
And let’s not forget about photo finish technology, which has been refined to ensure immediate and precise race results, keeping bettors on the edge of their seats.
