In a groundbreaking move for horse racing, Racecourse Media Group (RMG), a prominent horse racing broadcaster, has entered into a multi-year partnership with sports data and analytics provider Ellipse. The collaboration aims to revolutionize how fans experience and understand horse racing by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. This innovative venture seeks to engage a broader audience by demystifying the intricacies of the sport and introducing new performance metrics.
Ellipse’s expertise in data engineering and AI
Ellipse, the parent company of CricViz and TennisViz, is set to leverage its expertise in data engineering and AI technology to provide RMG with cutting-edge information streams. These AI-powered data feeds will offer horse racing enthusiasts a deeper insight into the sport, enhancing their viewing experience.
Guy Evans-Tipping, CEO of Ellipse, expressed his excitement about this groundbreaking partnership, emphasizing the company’s track record in delivering innovative analytics metrics across various sports. He stated, “Our aim with horse racing is to attract and engage a new audience. It is a unique opportunity to demystify horse racing and will no doubt uncover new angles and narratives in the sport.”
Introducing RaceiQ Metrics
One of the primary objectives of this collaboration between Ellipse and RMG is to introduce new performance indices and RaceiQ metrics, which include pre-and post-race insights. These metrics will shed light on various aspects of horse racing, providing fans with a more comprehensive understanding of the sport.
An example of a RaceiQ metric is “Lengths Gained Jumping” (LGJ). LGJ assesses how effectively a horse has navigated jumps during a race compared to its rivals and whether this has influenced the race’s outcome. This metric is just one of the many innovations that Ellipse and RMG plan to introduce to enhance the horse racing experience.
Expertise meets tradition
The collaboration between Ellipse and RMG also involves consultations with key figures in the horse racing industry. Renowned personalities such as former champion jockey Ruby Walsh, ITV racing commentator Richard Hoiles, HWPA broadcaster Lydia Hislop, and Racing TV presenter and analyst Angus McNae have all been part of the discussions.
Roderick Grafton, Managing Director of Horse Racing at Ellipse, expressed his delight about working on this pioneering project with RMG. He believes that the combination of Ellipse’s data science expertise and the knowledge of industry legends will create RaceiQ metrics that provide a deeper level of insight and understanding to racing audiences.
A new chapter in horse racing
Martin Stevenson, CEO of RMG, shared his enthusiasm about the partnership with Ellipse, stating that it would usher in a new era in how horse racing is understood and engaged with. He parallels Ellipse’s success in cricket with CricViz, where innovative data and analytics have brought the sport to life. Stevenson looks forward to attracting new fans to horse racing by using data to predict how races might unfold, ultimately providing a valuable tool for betting enthusiasts.
The collaboration between Ellipse and Racecourse Media Group signifies a significant step forward in horse racing. By harnessing the power of AI and introducing innovative RaceiQ metrics, this partnership aims to make the sport more accessible and engaging for existing and new fans. The involvement of industry experts and legends further enhances this groundbreaking project’s credibility and potential impact. As fans eagerly await the unveiling of these new insights, it is clear that the future of horse racing is set to be enriched by data-driven innovation.
