There are few more popular sports across the planet than horse racing, with millions annually making wagers on some of the biggest races.
Finding a winner on track is often incredibly challenging, with punters having to go through vast amounts of data to ensure that their selection stands the best change of getting their nose in front.
Betting on the sport is popular throughout the calendar year, with betting offers such as the TwinSpires bonus readily available.
However, in this modern day, there are new tools available to bettors to maximise their chances of making returns on their selections. But, how important are the modern day data analytics for both training and betting on the sport?
Artificial Intelligence
One of the rapidly growing forms of data analytics that is used across the world in various sectors is Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The tool is now used throughout modern life, meaning it is no surprise that horse racing has been able to adapt the feature.
It is a vitally important tool that is used in breeding and purchasing racehorses in this modern day, as AI is able to digest vast amounts of data to give a concluding answer to the potential of a yearling.
The tech can analysis the pedigree data, and make performance predictions based on the genetic compatibility of two horses.
This takes a lot of risk away from breeders, as the search to create a champion thoroughbred can often be tiresome when trying to mix different pedigrees.
Tools such as Equine Match are now readily used across the industry to eliminate the high-risk nature of breeding, and to this point, it has helped find suitable stallions and mares to maximise the potential of stars on the track.
Can AI Be Used For Betting?
Betting on the sport is incredibly throughout the year, but big race days such as the Kentucky Derby and Grand National attract newcomers to the sport.
Researching the horses involved in races can often be a daunting prospect, as factors such as form, breeding, and trainer/jockey form need to be taken into account.
Therefore, it is no surprise given the huge data on offer that many bettors have now opted to use AI to make more knowledgeable selections.
However, given the unpredictable nature of the sport, there can often be shock outcomes, such as Rich Strike’s victory at 80/1 in the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Therefore, using AI doesn’t guarantee winners.
In fact, for the most part, the tool will typically select the horse that is favorite due to the runner likely to be at the top of the market due to having the best form in the book. Therefore, experienced bettors will still look to complete research themselves to find potential areas of value in the betting markets.
Predictive Analytics
A popular tool available to bettors when looking for a second opinion on a horse race comes in the form of predictive analytics. This enables algorithms to take more into account than just the bare form in the book.
As well as considering the win rates of runners involved, it will delve deeper into assessing why horses run well or not. This is an important assessment that should be made before making bets on racing, as a poor run by a horse could be as much down to poor form, the draw, or due to not running on ideal ground conditions.
Predictive analytics is able to take all of this information into account, indicating that best possible finishing position that a horse may achieve. As well as in betting, this tool is also used readily by trainers to assess the readiness of their runner to compete on track.
The tool has the ability to assess whether a horse is at risk of picking up an injury, which allows trainers to make more informed decisions as to whether to enter their challenger.
However, it could also be worth noting that a trainer will also need to use their own judgement, as they will be more familiar with their runner when it comes to the mood of a horse and whether they have been training well at home.
Wearable Technology
One of the most important developments in horse racing in recent memory has come in the form of wearable pieces of technology. This has enabled trainers to get a better understanding of their runners, enabling those in charge to keep tabs on heart rates.
The GPS trackers and other sensors provide vitally important information to trainers, which are capable of giving real-time performance data surrounding how runners are performing.
This information is extremely important to a trainer, as it will indicate runners that are in good form, and it could also help to pinpoint lingering health issues that may not be visible from the naked eye.
The reliance on the tech has reached a new level in recent years, with British Racing using the tech during races on a trial basis at the end of the 2024-25 National Hunt season.
Using the wearables in race will give trainers an even more informative insight into their runners, and will ensure the wellbeing of all competitors in a race.
