Trakus, a Boston based sports media technology company, takes another step towards bringing the race home to the fans by teaming with the Dubai Racing Club and its state-of-the-art new Meydan Racecourse by providing full field real-time tracking for the 11 race meetings that will make up the 2011 Dubai International Racing Carnival.
Now in its eighth season, this international racing program begins Thursday January 13th and culminates on Saturday March 26th with the Dubai World Cup – the world’s richest day in racing, worth over US$26 million in prize money.
Trakus production enhancements will include real-time run order graphics during the live race telecast, as well as instantaneous photo-realistic 3D animated replays using a virtual camera that can be placed anywhere around the track. Sectional times and post race statistics such as trip distance and beaten lengths allow horseplayers and fans alike to go inside the race for breakdown analysis.
Race goers at Meydan have benefited from the Trakus system for the second time in as many seasons. Terry Spargo, Senior Broadcast Manager at Dubai Racing Club, feels it appeals to their technologically advanced fan base, saying “Trakus has been a great feature which has added to the overall racing experience at Meydan Racecourse, not just for the horsemen but also for the racing fans.”
Playing an integral role in a high profile race meeting such as Meydan allows Trakus to expand its global reach in an industry well positioned for advancement of digital content and multi-platform delivery. “Trakus is proud to be partnered with Dubai Racing Club and its spectacular Meydan Racecourse. With extensive use of Trakus graphics elements on Meydan’s high-def infield video board – the largest such display in the world – and with the broad international appeal for Dubai’s broadcast signal, we are delighted to be included as part of this very special event,” says Trakus President and CEO Bob McCarthy.
Since its inception the Carnival has welcomed 324 trainers, 1,847 horses and 243 jockeys from 27 different countries. Of that total, 106 trainers representing 18 separate countries and 84 jockeys have claimed over US$210,838,000 in prize money.
Trakus enhances the race fan experience through Simulcast feeds, Network broadcasts, on-site LED boards, broadband Internet, and mobile devices. Trakus has commercial deployments in USA, Canada, France, Turkey, and Dubai, with additional expansion planned with its domestic and international operations during the coming months.
