Tracking cameras and drone shots to enhance coverage of Irish racing

Tracking cameras and drone shots are set to enhance the coverage of Irish racing after racecourse integrity services company IRIS was awarded the lucrative provision of televised services contract by Horse Racing Ireland.

The family-run business has been fulfilling the role since 2005 and has landed a four-year contract, with an option to extend on an annual basis up to a maximum of ten years, following the completion of a European Union tender process.

The contract for the provision of televised services to Irish racing is one of HRI's largest supplier contracts, and includes responsibilities such as supplying raceday integrity services to the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, on-course coverage to SIS and Racing TV, as well as racecourse CCTV.

Brian Kavanagh: 'The delivery of new facilities within the stewards’ room and additional cameras at our racecourses will assist the IHRB to deliver a best in class integrity service'Credit: Patrick McCann

HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh said: "This new contract will see the introduction of a number of innovations to enhance the integrity and broadcast services across Irish racing.

"We look forward to working with the team at IRIS to deliver these over the coming months and years."

He added: "There has been a favourable reaction to the trials of the tracking cameras at a number of racecourses and we expect the drone coverage will add another exciting dimension to the viewer experience. We thank the IHRB for their valuable input in the process.

"The delivery of new facilities within the stewards' room and additional cameras at our racecourses will assist the IHRB to deliver a best in class integrity service."

Association of Irish Racecourses CEO Paddy Walsh added: "IRIS is a valuable partner to the racecourses in providing content to our media rights partners and engaging our customers on course."

During the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak when point-to-point fixtures were held behind closed doors, the Cork-based organisation was able to broadcast the action from the Kilworth and Araglen point-to-point via live streaming on Facebook.

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