What is IRIS?

IRIS - In-Running Information Services - enables online sports traders to utilise accurate real-time animations of the speed and position of each horse during a race to enhance in-running trading on UK horse races.

For the first time ever, Internet users around the world (subject to local laws) bet on UK horse racing using truly accurate real time representations of each horse’s speed and position, unaffected by camera angle or satellite delay.

Turftrax – the UK’s leading supplier of racing technology and form services – provide the data for IRIS. SportingLOT use the data to produce a real-time animation of the race in a window on the STW (Sports Trading Workstation) with full integrated betting services to Betfair and Betdaq.

How Do I access IRIS?

IRIS is available only on the STW. Go to this page: sportinglot.com/iris, register for the free STW Starter, download and install the software. Purchase your daily pass to IRIS for £6 per day.

Is it Really Real Time?

Yes! Tests have shown IRIS to be comparable (plus / minus 0.5 sec) with any of the proprietary TV racing services in the UK and up to 12 seconds faster than any current internet TV or audio commentary services.

How Does IRIS Work?

Data is collected by Turftrax via transponders within the horses’ saddle and delivered to the SportingLOT data centre where it is further processed and integrated into the betting services provided by both Betfair and Betdaq.

SportingLOT users access the data via a unique animator on their STW which allows them to display the race in one or two dimensions to complement the range of value added services on the STW, like integrated one click betting facilities and real-time predictions based on the relative speeds of all runners.

IRIS is the culmination of over three year’s research and development by Turftrax to produce a secure and accurate method of tracking the speed and position of racehorses running around a racecourse. For over a year the service has been available to Channel 4 TV viewers and also used by Turftrax to produce the most detailed, extensive and accurate speed figures available for UK racing today.

IRIS is only available on the STW and provides the following value added services:

Race Animation - Each race covered by IRIS can be displayed in one or two dimensional real time animation. One dimensional animation presents the race in swimming lane formation in the order they appear within the associated Betfair market display and indicates the forward motion of the horses.

Two dimensional animation allows the user view both the forward and lateral movement of the horses.

Horse Icons - Each horse is represented by a small moving icon that carries both the current available Back and Lay prices plus the value added predictive data available on the STW..

IRIS - In Running Information Service


Prediction Halo - The predicted finishing position of each horse is calculated by the STW and used to colour the border of the horse icons predicted to finish first, second and third. Prediction is updated every second and is based on the relative speed of each runner and the remaining distance of the race.

The Prediction Halo border is coloured Red for first, Blue for second and Yellow for third place.

Current Position in Exchange Markets - The background on which the horse’s name is printed is coloured to reflect the present position of the horse in the Exchange market. If the horse is favourite the background is coloured Pink, 2 nd Favourite it is coloured Blue and if 3 rd Favourite is coloured Yellow.

Current Back and Lay Prices - Indicate the best available Back and Lay prices on the Exchange. Back and Lay orders using predefined stakes can be executed with a single mouse click on the prices displayed in each icon.

Prediction History - The Prediction History provides a record of the previous predicted finishing positions (red for first, blue for second and yellow for third). This is a unique and very effective indicator as a continuing series of red squares within the last two furlongs is an accurate indictor of the likely winner of a race.

Current Profit / Loss - If a bet has been placed on a selection, then the current realisable value of that bet is calculated in real time based on the best exchange price available. A single click of the mouse on this amount will generate the necessary order to the exchange to realise the amount shown. The user can select from three different P/L displays including Cash In amount (greening up), Free Bet amount and Free Lay amount.

More Information about IRIS and Sports Trading Workstation