Sectional and Stride Data

[martin_85]

I haven't had the time to follow horse racing much in recent years but I was wondering why there have not been any moves forwards with sectionals and the newer stride data?

I used to closely follow the AW and it appears as though there is still no data available for Kempton and Chelmsford on the ATR website. There has also been no movement on getting this information for flat racing.

Is that because ATR do not pay for the information or is it still not available? I'm aware the flat is a lot more difficult due to movement of posts etc but I would have expected there to have been more movement in this area over recent years, especially given what you can get in the US.

Is there just a lack of interest and investment?

 

[Chesham]

I haven't had the time to follow horse racing much in recent years but I was wondering why there have not been any moves forwards with sectionals and the newer stride data?

I used to closely follow the AW and it appears as though there is still no data available for Kempton and Chelmsford on the ATR website. There has also been no movement on getting this information for flat racing.

Is that because ATR do not pay for the information or is it still not available? I'm aware the flat is a lot more difficult due to movement of posts etc but I would have expected there to have been more movement in this area over recent years, especially given what you can get in the US.

Is there just a lack of interest and investment?

I think ATR only provides Sectionals for the Tracks that they cover for Race Video and use Total Performance Data, for their results feeds. Racing U.K. also use RaceIQ they obviously have not asked for the detail that ATR have as they cover distance travelled , Seconds to reach 30MPH from the start, Fastest speed reached and Final speed. Also as you have stated Stride Data which is useful when a horse is stepping up in distance or needs to run over shorter

I wish that RUK would ask RaceIQ for their Jump Index as that would prove a useful tool for NH Racing. Paige Fuller of RaceIQ, some times highlights horses who have a decent jump index when she analyses a particular Race before it is run.

She Predicted Handstands to win its last Race based on the fact that it gained 15 lengths with its Jumping over the runner up, when it won at Sandown on its previous visit to Sandown

 

[martin_85]

I think ATR only provides Sectionals for the Tracks that they cover for Race Video and use Total Performance Data, for their results feeds. Racing U.K. also use RaceIQ they obviously have not asked for the detail that ATR have as they cover distance travelled , Seconds to reach 30MPH from the start, Fastest speed reached and Final speed. Also as you have stated Stride Data which is useful when a horse is stepping up in distance or needs to run over shorter

I wish that RUK would ask RaceIQ for their Jump Index as that would prove a useful tool for NH Racing. Paige Fuller of RaceIQ, some times highlights horses who have a decent jump index when she analyses a particular Race before it is run.

She Predicted Handstands to win its last Race based on the fact that it gained 15 lengths with its Jumping over the runner up, when it won at Sandown on its previous visit to Sandown

Thanks for your reply Chesham

It's very odd, in this day and age, to have such a lack of joined up data available. Too many cooks or just a lack of interest?

I very much enjoy the data side of analysis that people such as Simon Rowlands provide, just wish there was more of it. I wanted to use it on the AW, years ago, but when you haven't a clue how their performances from Kempton and Chelmsford (let alone the flat) compared, it seemed rather pointless.

 

[tacker]

If I’m understanding correctly then racing uk do provide a reasonable amount of information to help inform

 

[Chesham]

If I’m understanding correctly then racing uk do provide a reasonable amount of information to help inform

ATR offer the better information as RUK only provide the bare sectionals, although I still use RUK for the races that they cover

My wish would be for the Jump Index to be published, especially with 2 mile Novice Chases

 

[Chesham]

Example

 

[Chesham]

Useful graphs to anticipate if a horse has been disadvantaged by the distance of the race

 

[martin_85]

Useful graphs to anticipate if a horse has been disadvantaged by the distance of the race

View attachment 154120

I love that chart, such a great example of how data can be used when it is available. The same with those figures published by ATR and Paige Fuller.

 

[martin_85]

Do RacingUK only use this data from RaceIQ for broadcast purposes Chesham ? It's not available via subscription?

 

[Chesham]

Do RacingUK only use this data from RaceIQ for broadcast purposes Chesham ? It's not available via subscription?

They use RaceIQ for in running for the race they cover and the MPH for the in running . The sectionals are provided by RaceIQ

It’s a shame that RUK does not run the Jump Index with their sectional returns

For instance in The Arkle at Cheltenham Marjborough has the best Jump index = 9.0 and Ballyburn only 6.8

Marjborough is Top Rated by TF 173

Past winners achieved an Adjusted TF = TRWs : 181 192 177 187 181 (Av 184)


After race at Leopardstown Sat, 1st Feb, 2025 (1st)

It was very good, fantastic. I was looking at it from the stands, whereas everyone else was looking at it on the TV. The whole crowd were going ‘ooh and aah’ every time he got close to one but watching it from the side he never looked in danger, never looked like falling. The camera does lie now and again.

W P Mullins

 

[PHS]

Unusual outlier in the Suffolk Stakes (Newm 03/05/25 14:20); Bopedro F7 11.11sec

How do we explain this (assuming it's not an error)?

Maybe he went slower into the dip than most (11.38sec F6) but came out faster? Hit a fast patch of ground?

 

[Chesham]

Unusual outlier in the Suffolk Stakes (Newm 03/05/25 14:20); Bopedro F7 11.11sec

How do we explain this (assuming it's not an error)?

Maybe he went slower into the dip than most (11.38sec F6) but came out faster? Hit a fast patch of ground?

Sectional Time & Performance Analysis: Betfred Suffolk Stakes (Heritage Handicap) – May 3, 2025​

Executive Summary​

This sectional analysis identifies key takeaways from a high-quality 13-runner Class 2 handicap over 1m1f at Newmarket. The race featured a strong field, yielding future pattern-race prospects and revealing tactical insights through sectional and energy-efficiency data. The Time Index was 6.7/10, slightly below meeting average (6.8), but the winning time was -1.17s faster than par, suggesting an above-average race standard.

---

Standout Performers​

Fox Legacy (1st | Timeform: 106 | OR: 90 | Final Time: 1:49.59)​

• Sectional Efficiency: Excelled from the 6f to 9f mark; fastest last 2f combined (11.95 + 12.59) and maintained par or better throughout.
• Energy Profile: Sustained speed from 3f out, hit peak momentum from 7f to 8f (11.85s to 11.95s) and held top MPH late – a hallmark of an energy-efficient, progressive type.
• Highest MPH Acceleration: Estimated from 6f (11.18s) to 7f (11.85s), showing a sharp, efficient turn of foot while moving into winning position.
• Consistently faster than par from 6f onwards, with minimal deceleration.
• Future Potential: With low mileage, he profiles like a Listed/Group horse in the making, especially effective between 8–10f on good ground.

---

Bopedro (2nd | Timeform: 107 | OR: 96)​

• Sectional Recovery: Slow early (15.99s opening furlong) but recorded the highest FSP (102.06%), indicative of a powerful closing effort.
• Late Surge: Closed from 12.06s (8f) to 12.75s (9f), gaining several places, suggesting strong stamina reserves.
• Energy Efficiency: Not optimal early but extremely efficient late. From 6f to 7f (11.38s to 11.11s), marked his sharpest acceleration, which propelled him from 12th to contention.
• Future Scope: Aged 9 but retains significant ability; well-handled, he may remain competitive in valuable handicaps and Group 3s over stiff miles.

---

Arabian Light (3rd | Timeform: 115 | OR: 106)​

• Consistency: Posted near-par fractions throughout; fastest cumulative time up to 6f behind Fox Legacy.
• Pace Profile: Strong between 5f and 7f (11.43 → 11.20 → 11.90), peaking in acceleration before slight levelling out late.
• Energy Use: Used energy well early-mid race, may have slightly flattened late (12.87s final furlong).
• Upside: Effort confirms his rating; a logical next step is a Listed/Group 3 level over a similar trip.

---

Sectional Highlights​

Fastest Sectional (by MPH)​

• Horse: Bopedro
• Furlong: 6f to 7f (11.38 → 11.11)
• Analysis: Covered a key mid-race furlong at a very high speed relative to rivals and par, making up notable ground despite poor early positioning.

---

Horses to Note for the Future​

Fox Legacy – Clear upgrade; sustained sectional superiority and a strong finishing kick mark him as a Group prospect.​

Arabian Light – Reliable and consistent; pace graph matches well to par and ratings. Strong mid-race mover, likely to shine over 9-10f in better company.​

Bopedro – Late surger with pace spike; can win valuable races if positioned better early. Worth following in top-end handicaps or conditions races.​

Hand Of God (9th | OR: 102 | Timeform: 93)​

• Effort vs Expectations: Disappointed off layoff but sectionals indicate front-end energy usage was within normal range, suggesting fitness or sharpness may be the issue, not class.
• Final Furlong (13.76s) was slowest among top 10 finishers; consider over further (10f+), potentially next time out.

---

Underperformers & Tactical Notes​

• Metallo: Tried solo effort up stand rail. Initial leader (15.88s) but collapsed late (13.40s) – solo tactic and first-time blinkers backfired.
• Approval & Dutch Decoy: Both did too much early (among fastest through 2f–3f), suffered in final 2f.
• Desperate Dan: Alarmingly slow overall and final time (1:58.75s). May have physical issues; not of interest going forward.

---

Par & Race Shape Summary​

• Par Comparison: With the win time -1.17s faster than par and Time Index 6.7, the race was a solidly run contest with a quick mid-to-late tempo.
• Sectional Shape: Horses with balanced or improving pace profiles after 6f were most competitive.
• Track Bias: None apparent; both sides of the track were competitive.

---

Conclusion: Horses to Track​

Horse	Notes
Fox Legacy	Impressive return, energy-efficient, Group potential
Bopedro	Strong closer, versatile, thrives in pace collapse
Arabian Light	Group class, stayed on well, improving stamina
Hand of God	Forgive run; better at 10f+, progressive profile

 

[PHS]

Thanks Chesham but what's your personal opinion. I assume that's an AI report?

 

[tacker]

Unusual outlier in the Suffolk Stakes (Newm 03/05/25 14:20); Bopedro F7 11.11sec

How do we explain this (assuming it's not an error)?

Maybe he went slower into the dip than most (11.38sec F6) but came out faster? Hit a fast patch of ground?

Agree P PHS BOPEDRO is a bit of a outlier there with that 11.11 and sometimes the numbers are clearly wrong but in this case i think it is difficult to judge, watching the replay he does make up ground swiftly on for instance ARABIAN LIGHT but if he did do 11.11 from 3f out ? I believe the only way is to try and measure it against such as SHADOW OF LIGHT who appeared to fly out wide in the 2000gns but only did 11.31, this was off a slow pace and his next furlong was 11.04 so a somewhat complicated picture for SOL but i feel he got a poor ride.
I'm no expert but like i have said before watching a race can confuse what you think you're seeing, sectionals can help clarify what happened the same with efficiency and any other techy stuff offered up but in my opinion all these factors roll into to you having to use your own judgement if you want to apply the logic going forward, numbers alone won't do it.

 

[Chesham]

Thanks Chesham but what's your personal opinion. I assume that's an AI report?

To get AI to interpret the Sectionals you need to give quite an extensive prompt otherwise you get GIGO . When done correctly it’s save hours of going through all the figures .


furlong-by-furlong MPH acceleration graph for Fox Legacy, Bopedro, and Arabian Light:

• Bopedro showed the sharpest acceleration between furlongs 6 and 7, reaching the highest MPH of any runner in the race — over 40.5 MPH.
• Fox Legacy demonstrated a strong and consistent pace with a late kick between furlongs 6 to 8, reflecting excellent energy efficiency.
• Arabian Light was steady but not explosive; his peak came earlier (furlongs 5–6), suggesting more of a grinder profile.
  
  
• Also as T tacker stated it’s useful to look at the race replays to see if the visual matches the recorded data .

It’s is worth watching Galeron who makes a move at a similar part of the race as Bopedro. What is noticeable is that the burst of acceleration has a telling affect and Galeron uses up its fuel


Galeron reached his peak speed of 39.68 MPH during the 6th furlong, indicating a brief but notable mid-race surge before decelerating late.

• Galeron's MPH by Furlong displayed in a fixed format:
  
  

  Furlong	Sectional Time (s)	Speed (MPH)
  2	11.68	38.53
  3	11.55	38.96
  4	11.50	39.13
  5	11.45	39.30
  6	11.34	39.68
  7	11.93	37.74
  8	12.63	35.62
  9	13.87	32.45

  
  Highlight: Galeron reached his peak speed of 39.68 MPH during the 6th furlong, indicating a brief but notable mid-race surge before decelerating late.

Galeron is a horse to look out for where it is placed “This horse is better than the result shows.”

 

[PHS]

Thanks guys. Interesting stuff!

 

[PHS]

Do you think Levey's was a good ride on Bopedro? I do.

Despite only finishing 2nd, I think connections will be very happy with £24k.

 

[tacker]

Do you think Levey's was a good ride on Bopedro? I do.

Despite only finishing 2nd, I think connections will be very happy with £24k.

Not sure mate, i rate Levey but wonder if he panicked and went too hard too early, strangely he stayed on very well final furlong after looking like he'd had enough so who knows?

 

[gerry]

I would say the race was one of the slower on the day and maybe they didn't go quick enough for Bopedro and that's why could not get there and it wasn't quicker than average for the race.
And the biggest surprise at that days racing was the 2000 guineas was one of the slowest races of the day which got field of gold beat.

 

[tacker]

I would say the race was one of the slower on the day and maybe they didn't go quick enough for Bopedro and that's why could not get there and it wasn't quicker than average for the race.
And the biggest surprise at that days racing was the 2000 guineas was one of the slowest races of the day which got field of gold beat.

And Shoemark sacked as first jockey