HRI plans move step closer at Dundalk

Horse Racing Ireland’s plans to introduce detailed speed figures for racing this summer came a step closer to fruition at Dundalk on Wednesday when speed sensing equipment was used throughout the evening.

Along with Satellite Information Services, the developers behind the technology, HRI has hoped to bring speed and pace figures into racing for the early parts of the Flat season, but it is understood it has met with a couple of stumbling blocks that have delayed the process.

The speed and pace sensing equipment is understood to deliver live pace information by fitting each runner with a GPS tracker inserted underneath the saddle cloth.

The tracker can also chart the exact path every horse took from start to finish and determine how much ground was lost or gained in the race.

Michael Grassick, chief executive of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association, said: “This is new technology and we have had a few tests so far, all of which have taken place at Dundalk.

“We want to expand the tests and when they have concluded all relevant bodies will sit down to discuss what’s going to happen with this information. It’s very much early days in the process.”