Owners, trainers and breeders of thoroughbred racehorses in the UK and Ireland will soon be able to receive a digital passport that will allow them to confirm the identity of a horse and store information about its health, welfare, movements and ownership.
The equine ePassport will be available as an app for both iPhone and Android devices and come with a smart card that enables users to access it via NFC or by scanning a QR code on the card.
The passport has been developed by UK-based banking and horse racing group Weatherbys and offers “a single, secure platform for all regulatory and legislative requirements relating to identification, health, welfare, movement and ownership,” the company says.
“Having downloaded the ePassport app, users will simply have to register by entering their contact details, and on receipt of a confirmation code can then follow on-screen instructions.
“On the ePassport home page are the horse’s details, and from that point users can then interact through the full ePassport functionality. This includes assigning a vet who will also be able to update medical information.”
“Elements of the Weatherbys ePassport are already in use in Britain, Ireland and other jurisdictions,” the company adds.
“These include vaccination and movement functionality to support the British Racing Authority and Horse Racing Ireland with their ‘return to racing’ protocols last year.
“The same technology has also helped trace the movement of breeding stock, working alongside The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.”
The first Weatherbys ePassport has been issued to a foal bred at the Lawn Stud in Towcester in the UK and “over the coming months every other thoroughbred born in Ireland and Britain this year will be receiving their own ePassport,” the company says.
A short video explains how users can register for, upload and use the ePassport.
Digital passport for thoroughbred racehorses rolls out in UK and Ireland was written by Tom Phillips and published by NFCW.