Data company looks to step in as delay to sectional timings in Ireland continues

Tracking technology firm Total Performance Data (TPD) says Irish racecourses would earn tens of thousands of euros a year if they took advantage of the company's sectional timing services.

However, under plans revealed by the Association of Irish Racecourses (Air), tracks are instead set to pay trial running costs of roughly €1,000 per meeting.

Frustration has mounted for several years over a delay to sectional timing technology being rolled out at Irish tracks, with SIS having previously committed to introducing the service at every course from January 2017. SIS holds the rights to implement such technology as part of Irish racing's media rights deal struck in 2016 – an agreement worth around £39 million a year that is set to expire at the end of 2023.

Tracking data company Coursetrack, whose majority owner is Racecourse Media Group, is set to work on advancing the initiative before the next media rights agreement comes into play in 2024. That deal is currently being negotiated.

Coursetrack managing director Dave Tharp said: "We conducted successful trials on Irish racecourses in 2021 and are delighted to have reached an agreement with HRI, Air and SIS to roll out our tracking technology in Ireland in 2022. The arrangements are commercially sensitive and Coursetrack cannot comment further at this stage."

Sectional timing: trials set to take place in Ireland this summer

The Racing Post has spoken to a number of Irish racecourse managers who have expressed reservations about potentially invoking a legal issue if TPD were invited to roll out sectional timing on their tracks.

They do not wish to jeopardise ongoing negotiations for the next media rights deal, with Air chief executive Paddy Walsh recently stating the body is "contractually prohibited from dealing with TPD before 2024".

It is understood TPD believes there is legal precedent to suggest the non-delivery of sectional timing technology since 2017 by SIS would mean a legal challenge would be unlikely to succeed.

This precedent is said to involve sports agency RDA's recent success in terminating a media rights agreement with European Professional Club Rugby (ECPR), when ECPR did not deliver Champions and Challenge Cup games due to Covid-19.

The Racing Post asked SIS whether it would consider an Irish racecourse availing itself of such services from another provider as a breach of contract, but did not receive a response.

TPD chairman and co-founder Eamonn Wilmott said: "We would provide a minimum income guarantee in the tens of thousands of euros for every racecourse in Ireland, with no costs. Some of the bigger tracks in Ireland should be looking at making €100,000 a year within a year."

Eamonn Wilmott: 'We would provide a minimum income guarantee in the tens of thousands'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Walsh suggested the need for Irish tracks to fund Coursetrack trials this summer has arisen due to the initial plans of SIS, around sectionals powering fresh in-running betting systems, not materialising.

TPD says it is already delivering income through in-running betting services provided to bookmakers and punters, and could be functioning in Ireland within weeks.

Earlier this year TPD began remitting funds back into the sport, having made its first payment of £100,000 in the fourth quarter of 2021. It expects to deliver more than £500,000 in 2022.

Pressed on whether Coursetrack is willing to collaborate with another tracking data provider such as TPD in showcasing all sectional information in one place, a spokesperson said there would be "more information to come in due course".

It is believed TPD is willing to discuss the potential for a collaborative effort with SIS and Coursetrack, and sectional timing expert Simon Rowlands believes such a system would serve industry stakeholders best.

"How that is arrived at, I'm not sure, but I'm very much in favour of that as a concept," said Rowlands. "I can sympathise with those who want this data in Ireland and I would like to think there is a better system than Irish tracks having to fund trials themselves.

"Despite some reservations about the overall accuracy and presentation, I think Britain does show how the product may be arrived at. I think it's a good example for Irish racing to follow."

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