Timing data will be available after every race for the three-day Moet & Chandon July Festival, Newmarket Racecourse announced on Thursday. The timing information-viewable on Newmarket Racecourses' and Racing TV's Twitter and/or accounts/websites about 30 minutes post-race, will be available at all major festivals conducted by Racecourse Media Group (RMG) racecourses. Eventually, the technology will be rolled out to all RMG racecourses over the next few months. Operated by Coursetrack, the system utilizes horses carrying ultra-lightweight GPS trackers inside their saddlecloths. The trackers are connected directly to RMG's production centre in Ealing, West London. Both pictures and talkback will be employed to ensure accuracy and reliability at the centre.
“We are delighted to be able to offer Coursetrack sectional timing at the Moët & Chandon July Festival and very much hope that it enhances the enjoyment of a meeting that already holds a special place in the hearts of many racing fans,” said The Jockey Club's East Region Regional Director Amy Starkey. “Newmarket Racecourses is committed to staging the very best horseracing in the world and improvements to our offering of this kind are in keeping with that goal.”
On Wednesday, the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) confirmed its commitment to contribute funds and work closely with media rights holders-and their selected tracking partners-with the aim of live section timing and tracking data being available at every British raceday by the end of 2021.
“We have been working very closely with Coursetrack and conducted rigorous testing of the system on our courses and we thank HBLB for its support with this project,” said RMG's Director of Racing Ed Gretton. “We firmly believe that this data will enhance the enjoyment of races and be used as a valuable betting tool, when it comes to analysing a race and for in-running betting.”
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