Experts say innovations in horse sensors and tracking technology, currently in testing or development, have the potential to aid riders and veterinarians, while minimizing the breakdown of horses. horses, experts said on Dec. 6 during the University of Arizona Track Industry Global Symposium.
Speaking during the “enhancing equine safety through technology” discussion during the multi-day conference at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz., veterinarian Dr. David Lambert and medical director Churchill Downs Inc., Dr. Will Farmer described systems being developed to provide a means of flagging horses at risk and to assess possible false positive warnings. more research.
Lambert is known in the industry for having established the Equine Analysis System to scientifically evaluate auction horses with the potential for racehorse success. He is also the CEO of StrideSAFE, a system that aims to identify horses whose gait is tracked by sensors indicating they are at higher risk of injury.
According to Lambert, pre-existing disease is present in 85% of equine deaths, and in a study of the “fingerprints” of horse runs that produced 6,626 starts in 2021-22, SafeStride had highly effective in identifying such at-risk runners based on their stride and overall trend. With horses classified into three data-based categories—red, yellow, and green, like the color of traffic lights—the SafeStride system classified 18 of the 20 horses that died in the study as red. most at risk, Lambert presented in a slide presentation. One is in the yellow warning group and the other is in the green group.
Lambert added that 90% of the deaths were identified from 12% of the horses.
“So if all of this can be validated—anyone who wants to get past this can tear it apart to whatever they want—but in essence right there, I believe the issue of trauma is catastrophic injuries will disappear,” he said.
Dr David Lambert speaking at the Global Symposium on Racing
Lambert said the costs associated with StrideSAFE amount to about $35 per horse, a number he considers “peanuts” but that has not been accepted by the racehorse industry. But he said that last week “we were saved by this guy,” thrown on the slide by horse owner and furniture store magnate Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, noting that he agreed proudly. grant grants for the racetrack to participate.
“So if any of you are running a racetrack and you want to install this system, we can even pay your bill if you do this and give us a chance. operate this system,” Lambert said.
Farmer, who serves on the Breeders’ Cup veterinary team and has 14 years of experience in the field of regulated veterinary medicine, says the sensor findings could prove key to communication between veterinarians according to the regulations and the trainer.
Dr. Will Farmer speaking at the Global Symposium on Racing
Farmer cites controversial disagreements he’s been through with horsemen when he advises stewards about a suspected horse’s scratch. Sensor tracking devices offer an opportunity “where we potentially have objective data that we can work together as a team and as a partner to try to make sure that when our horses hit the track, they’re as safe as possible.”
He was so excited to have Churchill Downs participated in a study taking place this coming spring, which was recently commissioned by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission through the work of the Kentucky Horse Drug Research Council. The goals of that research will be to identify the real warning signs, develop an appropriate protocol for handling risky decisions, and work with trainers to validate the training findings. Create and race cars.
Farmer said of the horse-tracking sensors, noting that he believes the device is capable of identifying subtle problems: “Each of us walks, but we all walk a little differently. together”.
Prior to Farmer and Lambert’s comments were comments and visual demonstrations of the product and testing by Valentin Rapin, chief executive officer of Aroneo, and Dr. Warwick Bayly, professor at Washington State University.
Valentin Rapin speaks at the Global Symposium on Racing
Rapin’s demonstration shows a real-time data system that can assist riders and veterinarians, and can monitor the horse’s recovery and display the signs he says. showed the ability to detect pain. Bayly’s comments were accompanied by a video showcasing a horse in wearable technology that can monitor a horse’s breathing through a mask, and another that can capture its breathing through a microphone housed in a flash.
Valentin Rapin presents a promotional video for Arioneo training monitoring technology product. @UA_RTIP symposium pic.twitter.com/kmsfVgCr9s
– King Byron (@BH_BKing) December 6, 2022
Early Tuesday morning, Mike Mulvihill, Fox Sports’ executive vice president and head of strategy and analytics, and Lisa Lazarus CEO of the Equestrian Integrity and Safety Authority spoke privately to the audience. before a panel discussion on capitalizing on motorsport’s global footprint.
Mulvihill says horse racing is unique from other sports when it comes to offering “poems, puzzles and parties” and when they are “balanced, there is simply no other sport quite like it.”
Fox will televise Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) starting next year, and Mulvihill said a companion show will air on Fox Sports 1, “designed specifically for casual horsemen and will go deeper into the language of handicaps than any Triple Crown program has ever gone before.”
He added that horse racing has a chance to “stand out as a fun event where anyone can pay a reasonable fee, wear an unreasonable hat, smoke a cigar, scream at the top of their lungs.” and maybe leave with a little more money than they brought with them.”
.@UA_RTIP Symposium. @FOXSports Mike Mulvihill: “Our whole business is about creating situations that allow fans to have a bonding experience with the people they care about, whether it’s on the track in Saratoga or at a party KY Derby often goes with friends on the six-choice ticket.” pic.twitter.com/0SWxF58oGh
– King Byron (@BH_BKing) December 6, 2022
Lazarus, who had followed Mulvihill’s keynote speech, praised his “poem, riddle and feast” analogy and emphasized unity with the audience. Federal regulation of racing has been a divisive issue this year, both in courts and among industry stakeholders and participants.
She only mentioned in passing any reference to the constitutionality of HISA following the November 18 ruling from the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that the law allowing HISA was unconstitutional. Appeals to that court decision, as well as other HISA-related legal cases working their way through the legal system, can be binding in court for months.
If the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling goes into effect, it will not take effect until January 10 at the earliest, after the start of the planned Anti-Doping and Drug Control Program earlier in the year.
Lazarus described 10 lessons she learned during her 10 months leading HISA and highlighted the guiding principles of “cooperation, accountability, transparency, and unity.” She says the industry can “fight, scream, scream and argue” but to the public outside, “We need to speak with one voice.”
Lisa Lazarus speaks at the Global Symposium on Racing
Led by Jim Gagliano, president and chief executive officer of The Jockey Club, a global panel of industry executives including Bill Nader, Tallulah Wilson, Dean McKenzie and Simon Fraser highlights the development develop a global brand for the US growth race in the growing international market.
Panelists said that time zone differences and local preferences will limit betting on US races, but growing homogeneity with international races, such as such as eliminating drugs on race day, has opened up the possibility of broadcast simulations. Two panelists agreed that a visual presentation of past performance data, even as simple as the color of jockey silk, would aid international players.
Nader, now CEO of Thoroughbred Owners of California and formerly chief executive officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said he would not underestimate the pride and meaning of sharing achievements. of America’s top horses and races in the international arena.
