Horse racing is an age-old sport with a fascinating history that has spanned centuries. Over recent years, however, advancements in technology have done more for the sport’s improvement and enjoyment than anything else in the last few hundred years has managed to.
How the horse betting industry has improved
The move to online bookmaking has made it more accessible to bet on a horse in an upcoming race. For example, say you wanted to bet on the winner of the 2023 Platinum Jubilee Stakes race at the famous Royal Ascot Festival. It has never been easier to do with the latest online horse betting odds only a click away and showing Creative Force to be the favorite at a price of +600. This is only possible due to the advances in online horse racing betting technology that allows bettors to access the latest markets from wherever they are.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>NAVAL CROWN takes the win in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at 33/1👑 <a href=”https://t.co/qaVi1ekBRo”>pic.twitter.com/qaVi1ekBRo</a></p>— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Ascot/status/1538183852820135942?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw“>June 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
It should be noted that a significant amount of the aforementioned technological progress is in fact down to the innovation of various startups that have emerged as key players in shaping the racing industry.
GPS tracking
One notable area in which startups have had a crucial impact is the development of advanced tracking systems for horses. Essentially, these systems use GPS technology and sensors to monitor a horse’s performance which, in turn, provides invaluable insights to trainers and jockeys on speed, distance, and acceleration. You could say that above all, the data that is harvested helps identify areas for improvement and optimize training strategies that are tailored to a specific horse.
Equine Analytics, in particular, is a startup that has revolutionized horse tracking technology with sensors embedded in horse blankets to record movement and heart rate. The company’s AI algorithms then analyze this information in an effort to get a better understanding of a horse’s physical condition and performance. This breakthrough technology has allowed trainers and owners to develop improved training schedules and as well as provide personalized care for their horses.
Wearable devices
Startups have also helped make important strides in the development of wearable devices for horses. These devices basically detect vital signs and activity levels so that owners can stay ahead of any potential problems by identifying physical concerns that their thoroughbreds may have developed.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Constitution Hill 😍🤩<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/ITVRacing?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#ITVRacing</a> | <a href=”https://twitter.com/LambournOpenDay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@LambournOpenDay</a> | <a href=”https://twitter.com/sevenbarrows?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@sevenbarrows</a> <a href=”https://t.co/nG61MdcI0F”>pic.twitter.com/nG61MdcI0F</a></p>— ITV Racing (@itvracing) <a href=”https://twitter.com/itvracing/status/1644314900938866688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw“>April 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Hylofit is a startup that specializes in this after developing a wireless heart rate monitor that attaches to a horse’s girth and then transmits data to a smartphone app. Undoubtedly, this technology has helped reduce the risk of injury while allowing horses to be in the best physical shape during the season’s fixtures.
As you can see, innovation and collaboration have been at the heart of the racing industry’s evolution with startups acting as an instrumental force in driving these efforts forward. By developing new technologies and tools to enhance the sport, startups have succeeded in helping to improve the well-being of horses and performances on race days.
