The project
Weatherbys approached TEKenable to develop a fully functioning E-Passport application for the 2021 foal crop and all horses in training, with enhanced functionality to include, vaccinations, identification, medications, equine movement and ownership.
Elements of the E-Passport are already in use within Britain, Ireland and other jurisdictions. These include the vaccination and movement functionality to support the British Horseracing Authority and Horse Racing Ireland with their ‘Return to Racing’ protocols. The technology is also helping trace the movement of breeding stock during the breeding season in conjunction with the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association. Weatherbys continues to work closely with the BHA and HRI on the E-Passport rollout, while it is also being trialed in other jurisdictions and with other breeds.
Weatherbys Vaccination application enables the digital capture of vaccination records for registered Thoroughbreds and is part of the far wider Weatherbys E-Passport project which will be rolled our over the coming months.
The Vaccination App has been deployed in advance of other elements of the E-Passport as its functionality will bring improved efficiency and safety for those working with passports/passport data in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The vaccination app
The Weatherbys Vaccination App aggregates data pre-raceday on one centralised digital platform, with direct data connectivity to the Passport Issuing Organisation (Weatherbys), the BHA, Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.
An electronic archive system captures and indexes all historical vaccination data. This cost neutral industry system can provide the regulatory body with a geographical overview of the vaccination status of all horses, not only horses in training but also breeding stock, horses at sales and horses out of training, thereby creating greater biosecurity standards across Britain and Ireland.
Industry Feedback
The introduction of the Weatherbys Vaccination App played an important role within the protocols that allowed for racing to resume on June 1. The app brought both improved efficiency and greater security for those working with passports/passport data as the sport resumed behind closed doors during the pandemic.”
David Sykes, director of equine health and welfare for the BHA
We’re working very closely with Weatherbys on a larger number of projects – and the Weatherbys E-Passport is central to many of these through the part it can play in identification, traceability, health and welfare benefits for the thoroughbred.”
Claire Sheppard, CEO of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association
The work we are doing in conjunction with the IHRB and utilising the Weatherbys E-Passport has been incredibly positive for the pre-clearance of vaccination status. We see the E-Passport as a central part of the welfare and traceability strategy for Irish Racing over the coming years.”
Brian Kavanagh, chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland
