RACEHORSE trainer Patrick Harty is among the final batch of panellists to be added to The Irish Field’s AI in Equine Conference at Naas Racecourse on Tuesday, September 9th.

A total of 18 speakers will contribute to the event which will see four expert panels discuss how artificial intelligence [AI] and data analysis in transforming parts of the equine industry.

Harty, who shares the licence with his father Eddie at their Curragh yard, describes himself as open to using new technology in their business “with the caveat of not jumping on a trend.”

Over three years ago the Hartys trialled a data-tracking device which measured each horse’s speed, stride length and heart rate during exercise but he says they stopped the experiment as they felt the readings were clouding their judgement. “They were useful but limited,” he says. “I would be interested to see if artificial intelligence could be used to interpret the data in a better way.”

The trainer says he finds the data supplied on Irish racing by Race iQ to be useful. “It helps us to figure out how best to ride each horse. It can be especially helpful to show an inexperienced jockey how they can improve in terms of tactics, pace judgement and how a race was won or lost.”

Harty thinks that AI and machine learning are likely to have an increasing influence on the training and management of racehorses, though how that plays out remains to be seen. “The best innovations are not always obvious,” he says.

Also appearing at the conference will be Anna MacKenzie of Pythia Bloodstock, Horse Racing Ireland’s technoogy officer Shaymus Kennedy, and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s senior veterinary officer Dr Lynn Hillyer.

Already on board are Miles Brandi (Arioneo), equine vet Marcus Swail, Will Duff Gordon (Total Performance Data), Rob Sheppard (Ellipse Data), Tom Wilson (Racing Squared), Dr Sonja Egan (Horse Sport Ireland), racing and bloodstock analyst Kevin Blake, Mark Boylan (The Irish Field), Stephen O’Dwyer (TrojanTrack), Dr Diarmuid Byrne (EquiRatings). Prof Tomás Ward (DCU), plus a representative from Annemarie O’Brien’s company, Equimetrics.

Mark Costello, Editor of The Irish Field, said: “Artificial intelligence has already seeped into almost every aspect of our daily lives, often without us noticing. It offers enormous potential as a supportive tool for individuals, organisations and businesses across the horse industry.

“Our conference aims to provide some answers to questions about how people working with horses can harness AI’s capabilities and apply it, both to their daily routines and long-term goals.”

The day will feature four panel discussions, covering veterinary, performance optimisation, bloodstock and business applications. Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions and network with the speakers during the day.

The AI in Equine Conference is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the ETS Scheme.

Tickets remain available at the early bird price of €100 plus booking fee. Tickets can be purchased HERE