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Total Performance Data signs landmark multi-year deal with Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia

Published

4 years ago

March 2, 2022

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Tracking system launched for last weekend’s $20m Saudi Cup, the world’s most valuable race

The world’s largest and fastest source of live horse racing data, Total Performance Data (TPD), has signed a multi-year deal with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA).

TPD and the JCSA jointly launched the tracking system at last weekend’s two-day Saudi Cup meeting and that begun a partnership that will see every runner at every meeting in the country tracked, meaning the world’s most valuable race, The $20m Saudi Cup, will benefit from TPD’s in-running data.

The tracking software recorded some intriguing pace conundrums from the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh over the weekend where despite many front runners emerging victorious across the card, the data points to the reverse happening in The Saudi Cup itself. John & Thady Gosden’s Mishriff came unstuck by being up with the pace early on, while the winner, Emblem Road, came from last to first. More information can be found in the attached table.

The agreement, TPD’s first in the Middle East, means the data specialists now operate in five countries throughout the world, with the two racecourses in the territory, the King Abdulaziz Racetrack and King Khalid Racetrack, the 42^nd and 43^rd tracks they have a presence at globally.

The new deal also means that both on-course and off-course broadcasters will have access to TPD’s live in-running graphics like those seen during the Racing League and at Ascot.

Will Duff Gordon, CEO of Total Performance Data, said: “We are honoured to have gone live with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia in what is very exciting deal for us as we continue to expand our global footprint.

“Racing in the territory is getting bigger every season and you just have to look at the calibre of horse that ran there over the weekend for evidence of that. It’s a very exciting time to be involved with racing in Saudi Arabia and it’s fantastic that our offering will be part of the world’s richest race, The Saudi Cup, every February.

“Looking at the data behind this year’s Saudi Cup, and it looks like a classic pace burnout, with shock winner Emblem Road coming from last to first and defending champion Mishriff tailing off after setting the fastest second quarter sectional. We’ve already had enquiries from connections of horses in the race, who clearly want a bit more insight as to why things may have panned out as they did.”

Tom Ryan, Director of Saudi Cup, said: “We are very pleased to have TPD’s tracking technology in place for all our racedays and were impressed by how quickly the service was up and running. Our local audience enjoyed the big screen graphics and we know that horsemen will appreciate access to the pace data to review their performances.”

Alona Shevtsova

Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova moderates Global Gaming Expansion panel in Riyadh

Published

3 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

sends-ceo-alona-shevtsova-moderates-global-gaming-expansion-panel-in-riyadh

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, will moderate a panel at The Blockchain show on 29^th June, bringing together experts from entertainment, location-based gaming, and content localisation to examine what it takes to build sustainable gaming ecosystems across emerging markets.

The panel, titled “Global Gaming Expansion: Lessons from Untapped Markets,” will structure its discussion across four themes: the growth dynamics reshaping emerging gaming markets; the role of localisation in creating experiences that genuinely connect with new audiences; the infrastructure and communities needed to build gaming ecosystems beyond the game itself; and the lessons and opportunities that will define successful expansion in the years ahead.

Alona Shevtsova plans to frame the discussion around the central challenge for companies looking to expand globally: entering a new market requires far more than bringing an existing product to a new audience. Understanding local cultures, building communities, adapting experiences, and creating ecosystems that allow gaming to grow sustainably are all as important as the product itself.

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, said:

“The future growth of gaming will come not only from new technologies, but from understanding people — their cultures, communities, and the experiences they want to be part of. Successful expansion will belong to those who can combine global ambition with local understanding.”

The first segment will examine why regions including the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia are becoming increasingly significant for developers, operators, and investors — driven by young audiences, accelerating digital adoption, and new entertainment models creating substantial growth potential. Panellists will explore how consumer preferences differ across markets and what trends among younger audiences are shaping the future of gaming and entertainment.

The third segment will broaden the lens beyond the game itself, exploring the role of location-based entertainment, gaming centres, esports, and experiential destinations in attracting new audiences and building long-term communities. Panellists plan to address how entertainment ecosystems — spanning physical venues, events, and community infrastructure — accelerate gaming adoption in markets where the category is still establishing itself.

Earlier this month, Alona Shevtsova was shortlisted for the 2026 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Established Business of the Year category. Her team is also preparing for the Fintech Connect conference in London later this year. Sends will be a leading sponsor of this event.

*Sends is a trade name of SMARTFLOW PAYMENTS LIMITED, registered in England and Wales (Company No.11070048). For more information, visit sends.co .

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