Equibase, Stable Analytics partner to develop racehorse wearable technologies

Equibase, the racing data company owned by a partnership of racetracks and The Jockey Club, has entered into a partnership to help develop wearable technologies for racehorses with Stable Analytics, a company that is currently testing out a biometric sensor, the two companies announced on Thursday.

The partnership will include continued participation in an ongoing research project sponsored by the American Association of Equine Practitioners that is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of wearable sensors in the early detection of musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses. The study is currently slated to collect data throughout 2025 on hundreds of 2-year-olds horses during high-speed exercise.

Stable Analytics was founded early this year to develop a wearable sensor for horses and a tool for guiding breeding decisions through data analysis. The company’s sensor, known as Equigraph, will be used during the AAEP study.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

The U.S. racing industry has been throwing considerable weight behind wearable technologies over the past three years after several development projects produced results that seemed to indicate that the sensors could detect significant, real-time changes in gaits that could be predictive of injuries. Stable Analytics is one of a number of firms pursuing the commercialization of the sensors.

Equibase is also collecting its own data during training and racing with localized GPS systems at many top tracks. The company said in a release that the partnership with Stable Analytics will complement those data-collection and analysis efforts.

“We believe gathering more robust data from high-speed workouts and during racing is an important component of continuing the progress the industry has made around health and safety of our equine athletes,” said Kyle McDoniel, the president of Equibase.

The companies said that approximately 150 horses have been enrolled in the study for next year, and it encouraged horsemen to volunteer to have their horses wear the sensors during their training sessions next year. Already, trainer Kenny McPeek has agreed to allow his 2-year-old horses to wear the sensors in 2025.

“McPeek Racing is excited to collaborate with Stable Analytics and Equibase,” said McPeek, in a release. “Our 2024 yearlings will participate in sensor testing to help provide data that can’t be seen with human eye. Our traditional horsemanship and this could make the sport safer.”

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.