Channel 4 launches new Horse Tracker app for Grand National

5 April 2013

Free app allows viewers to track live horse position, speed and distance in real time

Channel 4 has launched a brand new second screen app, the Channel 4 Horse Tracker which for the first time will allow viewers to track the position and speed of the horses in the John Smith’s Grand National and other races for the Aintree three-day meeting.

The free app, is available to download immediately from the Apple App Store, uses Monterosa's LViS second screen technology and TurfTrax data to allow users to access live race information synchronised with their TV coverage of the race – including the position of horses, as well as the speed of their selection; distance to the next horse and to the finish. A non-synchronised version of tracker will also be available online at www.channel4.com/horsetracker.  

Through the Channel 4 Horse Tracker users can choose to track one horse, a multiple selection, or track the live positions of all the horses in a race – helping the viewer to more clearly understand where their horse is positioned in the field.  The app will cover 12 of the 15 televised races from the Grand National meeting, including The John Smith’s Grand National – broadcast at 4.15pm on Saturday 6th April. 

Channel 4’s Aintree coverage starts daily from April 4th at 7:55am with The Morning Line followed by afternoon racing from 1:30pm that takes in five daily races.  Saturday’s coverage is live from 9:30am with a feast of racing related shows that includes a special edition of Saturday Brunch and live racing off at 1:00pm. 

James Rutherford, Channel 4’s Multiplatform Commissioner for Sport, explains: “Innovation has always been at the heart of Channel 4’s sports coverage and this is a great opportunity to give our viewers a whole new perspective on the world’s most famous horse race.

“In the heat of the live action it can often be difficult for viewers to track the position of their horses.  Using real time data from the course combined with the latest audio-watermarking technology has allowed us to give viewers the chance to exactly track their horses alongside the television coverage.”

John Baker, North West Regional Director for Jockey Club Racecourses, adds: “From the outset we have been delighted with Channel 4's commitment and they have shown us just how much this race meeting and the John Smith's Grand National in particular means to them.  They have impressed us with their creativity and some of their new race coverage ideas are very exciting and will make for great television.

“Being racing's ‘terrestrial channel’ we intend to work closely alongside them to do the very best for Aintree and for Racing as a whole."

TurfTrax Managing Director, Mike Maher says: “We are continually working with the racing industry to develop new applications using the unique data sets that TurfTrax collect. In Channel 4 and Monterosa we have found partners with the expertise and vision to deliver information in a way that is sure to enhance the viewing experience for a whole new audience.”

"If you've ever placed a bet on the Grand National, you'll know that working out where your horse is located can be tricky.  For people who watch racing once in a while, it's a long, busy and sometimes confusing race.  We made Horse Tracker to solve the problem" added Michal Ozorowski, Creative Director at Monterosa.”

Ends.