The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is collaborating with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to apply data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence to HISA’s data with the goal of enhancing equine safety by analyzing the factors contributing to equine injuries and informing potential interventions to further reduce them moving forward, according to a news release from HISA.

Under HISA, for the first time in the sport’s history, uniform reporting of key metrics — including track surface conditions and horses’ medication and treatment histories — is required across the country. Working with AWS, HISA seeks to use this data to unlock additional insights and test theories long debated within the sport.

“The insights gleaned from big data and machine learning have revolutionized industries around the world,” says Lisa Lazarus, HISA CEO. “Thanks to HISA’s uniform reporting requirements, we are now able to apply these powerful tools to help solve the sport’s most pressing equine welfare issues. We’re excited to collaborate with the best data experts in the world, including AWS, to develop concrete solutions to address the root causes of equine injuries.”

Representatives of HISA and AWS — along with a group of Thoroughbred trainers, veterinarians and industry technologists — met at AWS’ offices in Nashville, Tenn., last month for an Equine Health Innovation Workshop. The meeting focused on using data and technology to determine which interventions, such as specific changes to HISA’s rules or the introduction of new technologies, could have further material impact on equine safety.

In addition to inputs such as sensor data from wearable devices, racing and training performance data, racetrack surface data, weather information and veterinary records, HISA and AWS are also exploring potential data inputs from other sources to measure horses’ movements with a level of granularity never measured before.

The goal is to create a comprehensive analytics and insights platform that would use HISA’s expansive data to test experts’ hypotheses about the root causes of equine injuries and provide horses’ care teams with the tools needed to predict and prevent injuries before they occur. The first steps of this process — including data standardization and data capture/ingestion — are already underway.

"This collaboration signifies a fusion of technology, invention and the vast experience of dozens of leaders in horse racing who care greatly for these equine athletes,” says Glenn Holland, AWS Business Innovation principal. “We are honored to have HISA leverage the AWS Cloud to accelerate their vision and drive this impactful initiative. This project is part of a new era in horse racing, where innovation delivers long-lasting positive impact to the sport."

AWS has worked alongside other major sports leagues, such as the NFL, for years to analyze injury data and use that data analysis to drive rules changes and equip coaches and club medical staff members with the tools they need to help players manage risk and prevent injuries.

HISA and AWS representatives, along with other industry technology leaders, are taking the next steps in this project at an AWS-led Solution Workshop on Monday, Oct. 30 in New York. The workshop will dive deep into data and technical requirements, as well as end-user needs to continue to drive progress on this ambitious endeavor.