Getting Grounded with Data

TurfTrax Head of Racing Services, Michael Prosser, considers the importance of accurately recording Going data, and the contribution the TurfTrax GoingStick has made to the technological advancement of horseracing.

Since its early development almost 20 years ago, the TurfTrax GoingStick has become a staple in the armoury of racecourse Clerks in the UK, track managers and curators around the globe.

The GoingStick assists these highly skilled individuals to take penetration and shear measurements, and in many cases soil moisture readings, at up to 100 locations around the course.  Specialist software analyses the data to produce an average for each part of the track producing a scientific measurement to supplement the subjective assessment of the surface.

Over the last decade TurfTrax has recorded more than 2.5 million readings worldwide of which 670,000 were in 2024.  In the UK alone, over 80,000 values were digitally recorded last year with 50,000 taken prior to declaration stage and on race days with a further 30,000 submitted on an ad-hoc basis

TurfTrax GoingStick readings downloaded since 2016

While it is not yet mandatory to take a readings at entry stage or download all this data to the database, it is clear that an ever increasing number of UK courses recognise the value of building the most accurate and comprehensive dataset possible.

Over time, methodical and comprehensive recording of these values provides a set of course-specific data which helps to develop an understanding of a racecourse’s particular characteristics.

Chris Stickels, Clerk of the Course at Ascot maintains, “The GoingStick is a valuable device which not only assists me when assessing the Going but also helps me monitor track conditions to decide upon maintenance and varying irrigation requirements.

“I use historical GoingStick data when preparing the track in advance of racedays and for Royal Ascot we publish readings as well as soil moisture data one week out from the start of the meeting in line with entries and declarations.  We understand this is very informative and useful for racing professionals and those enjoying the racing across the world.”

TurfTrax Managing Director Mike Maher welcomes the recent increase in the number of racecourses routinely downloading GoingStick readings to the TurfTrax Hub but believes the industry would benefit from the practice being made compulsory so that historical data for all courses could be made available to stakeholders.

He said, “With the permission of Jockey Club Racecourses we recently published the five-year historical trend for Aintree.  The data clearly shows that over time the course has evolved and that a GoingStick reading taken on a particular part of the track three years ago will differ from that taken in similar conditions today which helps the course to develop maintenance programmes and trainers to be better informed.”

TurfTrax, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the trade body that represents Britain’s 59 Racecourses, the Racecourse Association (RCA), are aligned in their view of what constitutes best practice when considering recording and publication of GoingStick data in the interests of equine welfare and for the benefit of the industry’s stakeholders.

Indeed, as recently as January this year all British racecourses were reminded by letter of the BHA General instruction that requires racecourses to publish a GoingStick reading by 16.30 the day prior to declarations closing or by 08.30 on the morning of declarations – the latter being a necessity where the official going has changed overnight, and again on the day of racing. 

Further endorsed by BHA acting chief executive Brant Dunshea who told the Racing Post that the BHA "very much value the use of the GoingStick" and expected its results to be reported accurately.

In February the RCA in conjunction with the Horse Welfare Board held two regional seminars for Clerks and senior groundstaff at which best practice in both capturing and recording data was reiterated. 

A former Clerk of the Course with more than 20 years’ experience, Michael Prosser is adamant that accurate and comprehensive data is vital to the future of the sport and essential to maintain British racing’s position at the forefront of technological advancement.

He says, “To think that as recently as 20 years ago we relied on using a wooden stick and a purely subjective opinion is almost unimaginable given the technology we now have at our disposal, and internationally many jurisdictions have advanced even further.

“In Hong Kong for example they collect GoingStick readings, penetrometer, Clegg Hammer and soil moisture content readings.  Imagine cricket without the Snickometer  or major football matches without VAR.  Sport recognises the need to embrace the new ‘tech savvy’ generation who crave data to help formalise an opinion.

“These days they just would not accept the use of a wooden stick and subjective opinion; they would walk away from the sport unengaged.

“Racecourses now have the ability to provide GoingStick readings for the stands side, centre and far side of a straight course where there maybe a suspicion of natural bias which has to be helpful to trainers, jockeys and punters.

“I have been fortunate enough to work at Grade 1 courses on three continents and my strategy at all of those courses was to provide accurate and comprehensive data to supplement the subjective going description.

“In my opinion the optimum approach is the provision of an objective GoingStick reading and soil moisture measurement to compliment the subjective going description.

“Overnight before my 23rd and final Dewhurst fixture at Newmarket in 2023 we had 20mm of rain and the going was given as soft with a GoingStick reading of 6.2 and moisture reading of 33%.

“In some quarters there was disbelief that it wasn’t heavy, but I was confident in the data that had been captured.  They then ran 1 min 24 and change in the Dewhurst.

“During the last year TurfTrax has been offering my training and advice services for free and I can categorically confirm that the vast majority of racecourses adhere to the BHA rule.  In particular we have done a significant amount of work with the ARC racecourses.”

Charlie Moore, Head of Group Racing at Arena Racing Company responsible for the management of 16 racecourses in the UK said, “With a wide variety of courses in our portfolio spanning the length and breadth of the country it’s vital that all our Clerks, especially trainees and even the more experienced groundstaff moving between venues, are able to call on data specific to each course in order be able to gain an understanding of its individuality and how it behaves seasonally over time.”

“Indeed, our Clerks are now encouraged to take and down load GoingStick readings on the day between declarations (made at 48 hours these days) and the raceday to assist all stakeholders in understanding any progression plus we work with Turftrax to ensure our Turftrax GoingMaps reflect the readings for that course and the correct Going”

With equine safety a paramount consideration the data can be used to tailor an individual maintenance regime in line with industry initiatives such as the Performance Quality Standard (PQS) developed by STRI Group for UK courses in conjunction with the RCA and the BHA’s Horse Welfare Board, to deliver a safe, consistent and fair racing surface.

GoingStick readings and GoingMaps for the Cheltenham Festival are among the most eagerly anticipated in the racing calendar.  Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin said, “With often an unsettled weather pattern ahead of our showpiece fixture, historical GoingStick readings combined with climate data and a good deal of local knowledge can help forecast where the course will be on racaday at critical times when trainers are finalising their running plans.”

The ability to create points of reference in historical data can help identify how the living racing surface is evolving, the medium and long-term effects of climate, the performance of irrigation systems and the need for intervention.

As accurately recorded data is specific to each course and not an individual, succession planning is made easier, handovers and absentee cover are objective and transparent.  

Interestingly, in many countries where use of the TurfTrax GoingStick has been adopted more recently but where uploading readings is not mandatory such as Australia, Germany, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the propensity to build datasets is greater than in the United Kingdom.  Do they know something British racing doesn’t?

Prior to joining TurfTrax in November 2023 Michael Prosser spent 22 years as Clerk of the Course at Newmarket leading a skilled team of ground staff in the preparation and management of both the Rowley Mile and the July Course which play host to many of Europe’s most prestigious races.