A NEW interactive race replay system was trialled at Galway this week.

Created by Irish Racing Integrity Services [IRIS], the unit was installed in the weighroom where it soon received the thumbs-up from industry professionals. The system may be rolled out to the public enclosures in due course.

Helen Arnold of IRIS explained: “About a minute after each race finishes, the prototype can show replays from various angles. Initially it is aimed at helping trainers, jockeys, owners, the press and racing officials.”

She thanked Galway manager Michael Moloney and the Turf Club for allowing the unit to be installed in Ballybrit this week.

“The reaction has been very positive with plenty of constructive criticism,” she said. “Trainers were delighted to be able to view loading and jump-off for the flat races. Jockeys who felt they hadn’t the clearest run were able to review the race from different angles.”

Billy Lynch of IRIS designed the “technical backbone” of the unit which was fabricated, at the Arnolds’ base in Bartlemy, Co Cork, by Ian Snaith.

“We are really please with the speed of delivery and how responsive the touch screen is,” Arnold added. “It’s very intuitive to operate. Jockeys were very quick to be able to choose an angle and fast forward or rewind to the part of the race they wanted.”

Turf Club medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick was also impressed. “We need one of these in every weighroom for the jockeys. They can view races when they get a break. It’s a fantastic system.”

Trainers Willie Mullins, Noel Meade and Gordon Elliott also gave their approval, while leading riders Ruby Walsh, Davy Russell and Declan McDonogh were spotted using the new technology during the week.

Thanks to the machine, McDonogh was able to review footage of the Colm Quinn Mile, which he won Riven Light, before facing the ensuing stewards’ inquiry.

“Ultimately, we would love to roll this out on every track and we have a few more levels of development up our sleeves,” Helen Arnold said.

Bart Arnold added: “We’ve been delighted with the response to the replay kiosk this week. It’s very rewarding for the team when they see their work in a finished product and even more so to see it being used by so many.”

IRIS provide all the television coverage at Irish racing, along with public address, CCTV system and integrity services.

Arnold said: “We are a very tech-savvy organisation and are constantly trying to improve the service available to our clients, particularly on-course.

“This replay kiosk is the latest development following on from a closed distribution system for the chief medical officer, whereby the doctor travelling in the lead ambulance has live pictures on a tablet. They can see all the falls as they happen, even if they are on the other side of the track. This helps them to assess and injuries.

“That innovation was developed in collaboration with Dr McGoldrick.”