There are few more historic sports in the world than horse racing, with action taking place on track for hundreds of years. However, the sport has never been as popular as it is in this modern day, with record numbers packing out some of the biggest events on the calendar.
Still, there are fears for the long-term future of the sport, with smaller meetings throughout the season seeing their figures drop due to the popularity of the more significant events.
That has already been seen in the United States with the closure of some of the most iconic courses within North America, with Arlington Park becoming the latest name a few years ago. Therefore, it is little surprise that steps are being taken within the sport to ensure the long-term future is assured.
AI Helping Improve Safety
Horse welfare continues to be an issue within the sport, despite the fact that those within the game know exactly how well looked after and protected the equine stars are. No animal in the world gets better care than a thoroughbred racehorse, with vets, grooms, and trainers on hand to ensure that horses only take to the track if they are at their healthiest.
More can always be done to improve the safety of horses on the track, and huge steps have been taken in this regard following the implementation of artificial intelligence.
AI is a huge tool for horse racing in the future, as the tech will be used to ensure that all tracks are at their safest throughout the season. This includes weighing up the conditions, and whether they are safe to compete. As well as this AI is also being used to ensure that horses are at their healthiest while at the yards of their trainers.
All these factors will ensure that fatality levels will drop significantly over the coming years and improve the quality of events such as the Kentucky Derby: https://www.twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/betting/
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality has been a technology available within the sport for a long time, but it is only now being used in order to enhance the understanding of those trying to make their way within the sport. VR is being adopted to enhance the understanding of new jockeys to ensure that they are able to ride to the best of their ability when they take to the track.
This includes taking into account what can and can’t be done when riding a horse at the highest level of competition to ensure that conditional jockeys aren’t handed a ban or fine within weeks of riding professionally. As well as training new jockeys, virtual reality is used alongside augmented reality to ensure that potential horses and jockeys riding overseas can get accustomed to what they can expect.
VR is a helpful tool for even the best jockeys in the world, especially when it comes to riding stars in big international meetings, where the riders’ experience of the track would be lower than typical tracks that they compete at throughout the season.
Enhancing Fan Experience
Ensuring the long-term future of the sport largely revolves around ensuring that new eyes are brought to the sport on a regular basis. Many of the best tracks in the world are already able to achieve that with unique family offers, which ensures a family day out for half the price of other activities.
Technology is also playing its role in ensuring there is a greater fan experience, with VR and augmented reality being used to create immersive race day experiences for those that aren’t able to get to the track for the big race.
This tech will take viewers up close and personal with the action, with bettors able to stand in the parade ring with this gear while sitting in the comfort of their home. While nothing comes close to attending races in person, this technology is a welcome addition for those who are unable to travel due to medical reasons.
Betting
For most consumers of horse racing, it is betting on the sport that is the most significant reason for their interest. Therefore, betting companies have ensured that there is greater transparency when it comes to payments online to ensure that trust is maintained.
The use of blockchain technology makes sure that all payments online are secure, which stops hackers from gaining access to any personal data. As well as this, technology is helping to ensure that there are new opportunities when it comes to betting on sport.
That includes the opportunity to make in-play bets on races over an extended distance, with high-speed streams now being used across the leading sportsbooks. This is an excellent opportunity for bettors, as wagers can be made after the race has started to ensure that their potential selection takes up a favorable position, giving themselves the best opportunity to claim victory.