Sectional Timing Deal: The Possibility for Data-Driven Betting Insights

In a move that promises to democratise high-quality data for racing enthusiasts and professionals alike, Proform, a leading provider in horseracing analytics, has struck a deal that could transform punter access to sectional timing data in the British horseracing scene. For years, these insights have been locked behind hefty paywalls, with data split between providers like Total Performance Data (TPD) and RaceIQ, often making comprehensive analysis an expensive and convoluted task. But with Proform’s new offer, enthusiasts can now get access to both ATR and RTV sectional course data for a single fee. This is all subject to Proform finding at least 50 subscribers for the sectional big data.

A Data Dream for the Dedicated Racing Fan

For an upfront fee of £600, Proform customers will gain access to a goldmine of timing data—covering sectional back data from 2016 for ATR courses and up to mid-2023 for RTV courses. This means that customers can explore trends, make comparisons across seasons, and identify patterns in the performance of horses, jockeys, and even track-specific factors. It’s a toolset that could transform the way we approach betting and horse racing analysis.

The data package includes sectional timings, running times, and finishing speed percentages, along with detailed metrics like positions and lengths behind at various points in the race. Proform is offering users the ability to create custom rankings, build data queries, and visualise insights with its system-building tools. Standardising these metrics across courses promises to make analysis not just possible but practical, removing the need for customers to juggle different data formats and units from various providers or use handcrafted information gleaned through cross referencing different data sets.

For an audience increasingly interested in data-driven insights but often excluded by the high cost of entry, this is an encouraging step. In an era where statistics drive nearly every sport’s analysis and strategy, horse racing’s shift to affordable data access brings it up to speed with the demands of a modern audience. Just a shame Irish racing doesnt yet take the same view.

A Collective Effort to Build Something Big

Proform needs a commitment of 50 customers to launch this initiative, a feasible number that reflects the shared interest among serious racegoers and betting enthusiasts. By creating an early community of engaged users, Proform hopes to gather valuable feedback that can drive ongoing improvement in data presentation, analysis tools, and usability. This approach, asking for user input to shape the product, will allow Proform to expand and adapt its offerings based on what customers find most useful. It’s an approach that aligns well with how tech-driven services grow and refine through user experience and one Proform has used for many years.

Standardisation: The Key to Usability

One of Proform’s biggest contributions here may well be in the standardisation of the data. With metrics previously split between providers and often formatted inconsistently across platforms, the challenge for customers has been in making apples-to-apples comparisons. Proform’s commitment to standardisation removes much of the friction, allowing racing enthusiasts to dive straight into analysis without needing to reconcile disparate data types.

For those who are serious about refining their betting strategies or seeking unique angles on race outcomes, a centralised, standardised system not only makes analysis easier but also unlocks new opportunities for creativity in handicapping.

By giving broader access to these metrics, Proform is effectively levelling the playing field between some of the major players and the Proform punter. Customers can make informed decisions based on a wealth of historical data, which could lead to new strategies and even help identify undervalued or badly handicapped horses. For the betting enthusiast, this is an opportunity to gain insights once reserved for top-tier analysts and the racing media.

Proform’s Offer: A Bold Step Forward in Racing Technology

Ultimately, Proform’s new sectional timing data deal reflects a step forward in making racing data more accessible and usable. By offering an affordable, consolidated, and standardised data package, Proform is opening up opportunities for everyone, from the professional punter to the hobbyist looking for a significant edge.

By making these insights accessible and more affordable, Proform is bringing sectional data out of the shadows and making it a valuable tool for everyday fans, who can use it to gain a new perspective on horse performance, tactics, and track nuances. It’s a step toward normalising sectional analysis as an essential part of racing knowledge, turning raw data into accessible, actionable insights that casual racegoers and serious bettors alike can appreciate.

As the racing industry moves toward transparency and data-driven insights, Proform’s offer looks like an exciting opportunity to deepen the connection between advanced race analysis and the everyday fan. It will be interesting to watch future developments with this information assuming Simon Walton gets the interest he is looking for at this stage, which is key to this being taken forwards.

If you are interested please let Simon know at Proform as soon as possible. @proform_racing info@proformprofessional.com