How It Works: A Look At The Way Judges Call A Photo Finish

There's nothing quite as exciting as a back-and-forth battle down the stretch, but when it comes down to a close finish right at the wire, how is it that we find out which horse gets to head to the winner's circle?

Most race fans have seen the image resulting from a photo finish. The process of creating that image is not as well known, however, which can lead to confusion about its veracity.

Rather than a still shot of the entire field, the photo finish image is actually a compilation of multiple narrow images taken precisely at the finish line. The completed photo finish image shows the location of each horse in the field as it crosses that finish line.

Moving objects, such as racehorses traveling at upwards of 40 miles per hour, thus appear to be stationary. Conversely, a stationary object would appear in the photo finish stretching across the entire image.

Up in the judges' stand, the photo finish cameras are never moved, explained Lone Star Park placing judge Kimber Murray. Each course (dirt or turf) has its own camera, which is attached to the grandstand at a fixed location directly parallel to a narrow mirror on the inside rail. That mirror allows a “reverse image” of the finish line to appear on the photo finish image, to help placing judges determine placings in those instances in which horses on the outside may block their side-on view.

The highest-rated cameras take photos at a rate up to 2,000 frames per second and are accurate within 1/1000th of a second, according to the website of FinishLynx, the photo finish system in place at all three venues that host the American Triple Crown. The same system is in use at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, as well as the Dubai Racing Club.

“The technology is amazing,” said Murray. “That part I don't have anxiety about, because it's so precise and clear and easy. Even if there's a dead heat, you can blow it up really big and see the individual hairs on the horses' chins.”

There is, however, a human element to the photo finish system. The computer program does not pick out the winner; instead, the placing judges are able to shift a vertical line across the image to determine which horse's nose is in front. 

To the casual fan, that shift could appear to be the judges “moving” the finish line. Remember, though, since the photo finish image is actually a single point on the track over multiple moments in time, the judges' vertical line is truly measuring the difference between finishers at the finish line.

The line the judges use isn't a determination of the location of the finish; the composite photo is the exact point of the finish line. The line is used to distinguish the horses' noses, and thus the order of finish.

Once the photo finish image has loaded, Murray explained, she and the other placing judges (between one to three individuals, depending on the racetrack) go through the field to determine the precise order of finish. They do this at least three times to prevent errors, and key the results into the system.

In the case of tight finishes, or uncertain results, one or more stewards may be brought in to also examine the photograph.

“It is very precise, pretty black and white and easy unless you have a horse really buried in there,” Murray said. “Once we identify each horse, the computer will tell you the margins between the finishers; that's calibrated for a certain measurement.”

Most tracks also have a “backup” or “auxiliary” camera, which can be shifted from one position to another and serves as a secondary device if the primary fails. 

In Thoroughbred racing, only the finish line is filmed by photo finish cameras. In harness racing, however, every point of call is filmed and charted accordingly.

Of course, issues with the photo finish system have still been known to occur.

“There have been cases with a rusted over or misaligned mirror, and there was an incident at Saratoga a couple years ago with the lighting,” explained Pat Cummings, executive director of the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation, and a former executive with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and racing technology and data provider Trakus. “I think there's a tremendous lack of published photos, and of transparency around these things. 

“It's difficult to say what's going on, because there's no transparency. We should be taking every step possible to ensure the confidence of our customers. That would include publishing every photo, putting it out there for the public to see.”

One photo finish tech, who spoke with the Paulick Report anonymously, identified the width of the lines used by the judges as another issue. On his screen, a yellow line is placed on the horses' noses to determine the placings. When the image is transferred to the television operators, that same yellow line is in place. When it is later published online, however, a slightly narrower silver line appears in its place. 

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The width of that line could mean the difference between a dead heat and distinguishing the placings, especially with the modern digital capability of the zoom function. The tech suggested that fixing these issues would be fairly simple: a standard level of zoom should be applied when examining photos, as well as a standard-width line.

“I witnessed it in Hong Kong; there were several times where the media asked us, can you really give us an extra look, print the still images from the judge,” explained Cummings. “We would then provide that image to the media so they could inspect it before the final product is put on the website.

“I think that if the degree of technology that we're using in America was up to the international standards, you would see a lot more of it.”

Cummings suggested looking to the examples set by other racing jurisdictions as a way to improve the technology in use on the track.

“With what has been an essential monopoly of online wagering in the modern era, the horse racing industry has contracted,” he said. “Over the last two decades, adjusted for inflation, American wagering is down 50 percent.

“In the last 10-15 years, modern consumers of sport, ergo wagering, have become more and more attuned to oversight. Replay has gotten better, delivery of imagery has gotten better; many professional sports leagues are finding ways to up their game. Whether it's improving rules, improving replay access, keeping tabs on the officiating, more involvement of legal offices and transparency on tough calls/mistakes, all those things are kind of part and parcel of the modern infrastructure required to compete with these other sporting events.”

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Trainer Gordon Elliott Suspended Six Months For Bringing ‘Sport Into Disrepute’

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) released the result of its hearing into the actions of leading jumps trainer Gordon Elliott on Friday. The IRHB decided to suspend Elliott for 12 months, of which the second six months are suspended, according to the racing authority's website.

The following was published on the IHRB website after the results of the hearing were made public:

“Elliott was found in breach of Rule 272(i) which relates to the proper conduct and good reputation of horse racing following the circulation of a picture showing Mr. Elliott sitting on a dead horse.

“Ireland is recognized internationally as being a world leader in the racing industry. This success is based on the highest professional standards being followed by all participants. Where rules are breached they will be dealt with rigorously, fully, and impartially by the IHRB.

“This case was heard by the Referrals Committee today, chaired by Mr. Justice Raymond Groarke, accompanied by The Hon. Mrs. Justice Siobhan Keegan and Mr. Nick Wachman.

“Speaking about the decision of the Referrals Committee, Denis Egan, CEO of the IHRB said:

“'Where breaches of rules occur and where participants in racing act in a manner that brings the sport into disrepute, there are no winners, and in fact, the loss is to Irish racing with damage to the reputation of the sport. Having acted with thoroughness and having followed due process at all times, the IHRB team are satisfied that the case has been dealt with fairly and appropriately.

“'Our team who prepared the case worked tirelessly since the issue emerged just a few days ago and ensured their investigation, presented today and with the support of our legal team, was thorough, fair to the parties involved, and above all, focused on ensuring that the integrity and good reputation of the sport is upheld.'

“The IHRB will carry out unannounced stableyard inspections on more than 100 days this year in addition to sampling over 5,000 horses, regulating over 380 race meetings, approximately 100 Point-to-Point fixtures and will pursue with impartiality any rule breaches that we uncover.

“Mr. Egan added: “Ireland and its racehorse trainers, riders, breeders and workers are held in high regard globally providing some of the very best horses and the very best racing talent.

“'We recognize the heartfelt upset that this matter has caused to people inside and outside of racing, none more so than to the staff employed by Mr. Elliott. We also see at first hand both on the racecourse and as part of our stable inspection program that horses receive unrivalled care, attention, and affection. Indeed, as part of the investigation into this very case, an unannounced stable inspection of Mr. Elliott's yard this week led to no concerns about the welfare of the horses in his care, as has been the case during any other inspection we carried out at his premises each year. In our opinion the incident covered in today's hearing is not reflective of Irish racing.'”

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Embattled Trainer Elliott: ‘I Have Let The Whole Racing Industry Down’

Trainer Gordon Elliott spoke to the Racing Post on Tuesday about the fallout from an image that went viral on social media this weekend. The three-time Grand National-winning trainer has been banned from racing in Britain, and is under investigation by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board due to the nature of the photograph, in which Elliott appears astride a stricken horse on the ground while making a peace sign. Some versions of the image have the caption “New work rider.”

The trainer said he deeply regrets the actions depicted in the photograph, which the Paulick Report has elected not to publish.

“It is indefensible,” Elliott told the Racing Post. “Whether alive or dead, the horse was entitled to dignity. A moment of madness that I am going to have to spend the rest of my life paying for and that my staff are suffering for.

“My heart goes out to all my staff. I know how hard they work. I know that I have not only let them down but that I have let the whole racing industry down too. That is down to my stupidity and I am truly, truly sorry.”

Read more at the Racing Post.

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Elliott Admits Photo on Dead Horse is Him

Leading National Hunt trainer Gordon Elliott, the subject of a firestorm this weekend after a photo of him sitting on a dead horse was circulated over the weekend, admitted that the photo was genuine.

Hours after saying he would cooperate with investigators without specifically addressing the validity of the photo, he relented and said that the photo was real.

The photo shows Elliott sitting astride a stricken horse on the ground. In it, the trainer is making a peace sign. Some versions circulated have the caption “New work rider.”

His statement reads:

“I would like to address the speculation and rumours that have been rife since an old photo of me began circulating on social media yesterday afternoon.

“Firstly, I apologise profoundly for any offence that this photo has caused and can categorically state that the welfare of each and every horse under my care is paramount and has been central to the success that we have enjoyed here at Cullentra.

“The photo in question was taken some time ago and occurred after a horse had died of an apparent heart attack on the gallops. I appreciate that an initial viewing of this photo suggests it is a callous and staged photo but nothing could be further from the truth.

“At what was a sad time, which it is when any horse under my care passes away, my initial reaction was to get the body removed from where it was positioned.

“I was standing over the horse waiting to help with the removal of the body, in the course of which, to my memory I received a call and, without thinking, I sat down to take it. Hearing a shout from one of my team, I gestured to wait until I was finished.

“Such background information may seem trivial at this time and will not allay the concerns of many people both within and outside the world of horse racing.

“However, I feel it is important to provide people with some context surrounding this photo. To the racing community, to anyone who has worked with and loves horses and to anyone offended by this image I cannot apologise enough.

“Horse welfare and the care and attention to detail involved is absolutely at the core of everything we do here and both myself and all of my team pride ourselves on those standards.

“Again I apologise for any offence caused and ask people to consider this statement as opposed to the various falsehoods and misinformation being circulated on social media.

“At this time I would like to stress that I continue to extend my full cooperation with the ongoing IHRB investigation.”

Previously, on Saturday evening, the three-time Grand National winning trainer tweeted, “I'm aware of a photo circulating on social media. The IHRB have been in contact with me regarding this photo and I will be cooperating fully with their investigation.”

An IHRB spokesman added on Sunday,” The investigation is ongoing and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.”

The British Horseracing Authority has been made aware of the situation and is also in contact with the Irish authorities.

Said a BHA spokesperson, “We hope the Irish authorities will quickly confirm how this shocking picture originated. Respect for horses is a fundamental value of our sport, contrary to the impression in this picture. The IHRB have assured us that the investigation will be carried out as quickly as possible and that they will keep us informed as more information becomes available.”

Elliott is currently readying a strong squad of horses to contest the upcoming Cheltenham Festival. Among his stable is two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) who is targeting the Cross-Country Chase there before a potential record-equaling third National at Aintree in April.

 

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