Ben Bernhardt would be the first to inform you that he is an entire novice with regards to racing, however he brings one thing distinctive to his job as CEO and co-founder of Steady Analytics and vice chairman of Pin Oak Stud, a thoroughbred ranch close to Versailles, Kentucky, owned by his dad and mom Jim and Dana. The couple bought their first racehorse, G1 winner Joe Rocketride, as a yearling in 2021, after which bought Pin Oak the next 12 months.
Steady Analytics brings the most recent in engineering and information science to horse racing. The corporate’s featured merchandise are wearable biosensors for horses (Equigraph) for security monitoring and early detection of musculoskeletal accidents in Thoroughbreds, and data-driven pedigree modeling (Equient) to find out optimum outcomes for racetracks.
Bernhard, 28, is a former engineer at SpaceX, an organization that designs and launches superior rockets and spacecraft.
His solutions have been edited for readability and area.
Blood Horse: How did Steady Analytics, the corporate you co-founded, come about?
Ben Bernard: My background is in know-how, engineering, and information science. Once I began racing, my aim was to have the ability to contribute by way of the know-how sector and that’s the focus of Steady Analytics.
BH: Was it troublesome to depart your job at SpaceX?
BB: Once I was a pupil, I all the time needed to work within the area trade. The aim was all the time area. I actually loved my time at SpaceX, however on the identical time, I began entering into horse racing, identical to my household acquired into horse racing. I noticed there have been numerous alternatives the place know-how might impression the trade, and I actually loved the trade itself, in order that was the impetus for my profession change.
BH: The Steady Analytics staff, Byron Rogers, Director of Analysis and Growth, and Dr. Tim McGrath, Director of Engineering, come from various backgrounds.
BB: They had been employed for his or her particular ability units. We’ve got information science and engineering expertise in addition to horse racing trade expertise, constructing a staff that sees each side of issues. Byron is right here particularly for his experience in information science and pedigree evaluation. His principal focus at Steady Analytics is constructing this machine learning-based lineage platform. Tim was introduced in for his experience in estimation concept particularly as utilized to wearable gadgets.
BH: Equibase works with Steady Analytics on wearable gadgets. How did that partnership come about?
BB: Steady Analytics is a small staff with nice experience in product engineering and growth, and Equibase is greatest at distributing information broadly throughout the trade. We thought that by partnering with them, we might get our product to market as shortly and effectively as doable.
BH: At what level in growth are Steady Analytics wearable gadgets?
BB: They’re nonetheless within the analysis stage. The primary research is (carried out by the American Affiliation of Equine Practitioners). They compiled a research this 12 months and 6 wearable firms had been chosen for the ultimate stage (January 1, 2025 to the top of 2025). Every sensor firm employs no less than 100 2-year-olds who put on wearable gadgets throughout coaching all year long. Every wearable firm analyzes every horse to make damage predictions and submits them to a analysis database, and AAEP tracks which sensors accurately determine accidents earlier than they happen.
Pin Oak additionally makes use of wearables.
BH: What’s your position at Pin Oak?
BB: Typically, we want to make complete selections primarily based on information and conventional horsemanship. I do high-level technique and decision-making, numerous which is data-driven evaluation. Whether or not it is breeding selections similar to breeding, horse racing selections, horse race selections, coach selections, or gross sales selections. With regards to actually something, I attempt to take a data-driven method and convey that to the desk. As a result of now we have different nice consultants who can deliver that perspective to the desk.
BH: What do you hope to attain by way of your participation within the trade?
BB: My most vital aim is to remove catastrophic accidents, however it is a lofty aim and can take a few years, not only one 12 months. However in actuality, the aim is zero deadly accidents, and nothing else is suitable.
If sensors can play a job in that, that is nice. If it is one thing else we are able to perceive, that is nice. If that is what another person has found, I will take away the sensor and comply with their recommendations. I actually hope your damage heals.
BH: How enjoyable wouldn’t it be for you to have the ability to mix two belongings you love: science and horses?
BB: It is a lot enjoyable. A part of my position at SpaceX was sitting within the management room for missions that we labored on for a 12 months, perhaps two years. It is a fantastic feeling to be part of it, be lively in Mission Management, and see every little thing come collectively and achieve success. My good friend there asks me, “Do not you miss that feeling?” I advised them it was an identical feeling to watching your individual horse work onerous and win a race. Maybe you produced that horse, raised that horse, analyzed the information throughout coaching, and perhaps even noticed that horse win.
BH: You liked your dad and mom’ first horse, Joe Rocket Experience. How did his life-altering damage have an effect on you?
BB: I used to be residing in Los Angeles when he was coaching with Richard Mandela at Santa Anita. I went there on the weekend and watched him prepare. That is how I turned thinking about racing. Specifically, what occurred on the Geaux Rocket Experience is what sparked my ardour for damage prevention.
