Steeped in centuries of tradition, horse racing has long been an established sporting staple. However, the sport has undergone a significant transformation in recent years with the introduction and implementation of advancements in technology.
From the impact of data analytics and innovative training breakthroughs on performance to the influence of real-time tracking systems and new tech applied to the betting industry, the sport of horse racing has been evolving at a rapid pace.
The Impact of Technology on Horse Racing
Technological advancements have changed the way horse racing is analysed from a training perspective and the ability to harness the power of data through the application sports science has been raising standards across the industry.
Just like it has been in other sports, data analytics has been a game-changing element for horse racing, allowing owners and trainers to delve deep for more rounded insights into their charge’s performance and habits on the track.
This real-time data, which is assembled and compiled using sensors and GPS trackers, is now widely used as a crucial analysis tool across the industry. Speed, heart rate, stride length, stress levels and stamina are just a few of the attributes that can be tracked using technology.
Through a detailed study of the data returned, trainers and jockeys can have a better understanding of their horses and strategies on race day can be tweaked accordingly.
Alongside real-time data, historical statistics can be just as useful in determining previous form, the impact of conditions, and track surfaces, all of which can be used as predictive metrics to build models before race day.
Technology and Horse Racing Betting
Advancements in technology at the track have been mirrored by the developments on the betting side of the horse racing sphere. Gone are the days of joining lengthy queues to back your selection on paper and the shift to online betting has had a massive impact on the profitability of horse racing.
With access to live odds, streamed races, and smartphone betting, online punting on horse racing has seen an explosion in popularity over the last decade and the industry’s golden age of innovation is showing little signs of ending.
Even casino sites have embraced the online betting bonanza through the incorporation of horse racing into their broader range of betting options. Like their bookmaking counterparts, the casino platforms package virtual horse racing, streamed events and constantly shifting live odds for their users.
The technological growth has built a strong link of convenience between horse racing and sports betting. Ease of access is king, and advancements in tech have offered users the opportunity to place wagers from the comfort of their own homes or on the go, completely removing the need to visit the track or bookies’ outlets on the high street.
Elsewhere, the development of virtual reality and augmented reality experiences is set to take horse racing to new levels in terms of spectatorship and betting. VR and AR will allow horse racing to become a more immersive experience, thrusting the viewer or bettor right into the heart of the action.
Theoretically, users should be able to choose from a virtual seat in the stands or even a jockey’s-eye-view, while their experience will be further enhanced by the overlaying of real-time data and statistics, allowing customers to track live odds and hose positions as the race unfolds.
In terms of the overall impact of technology on horse racing and betting, it still feels like we are in relatively fresh territory. With further advancements and breakthroughs likely to follow, the sport’s popularity should continue to rise.
