First Weatherbys ePassport Issued

The Weatherbys ePassport has gone live for the British and Irish Thoroughbred markets, with the first foal to be issued with its passport a colt by Calyx born on Feb. 14 at Julian Richmond-Watson's Lawn Stud. In the coming months, every Thoroughbred born in Britain and Ireland this year will receive its passport.

The Weatherbys ePassport is a single, secure platform for all regulatory and legislative requirements relating to identification, health, welfare, movement and ownership. Elements of the Weatherbys ePassport are already in use in Britain, Ireland and other jurisdictions. These include vaccination and movement functionality to support the British Horseracing 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. As well as movement and vaccination functionality the ePassport now includes stallion, mare and foal registration functionality, medication recording, along with ownership updates and full identification details.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland, said, “The importance of the Weatherbys ePassport cannot be understated and we see it as a central part of the welfare and traceability strategy for Irish racing over the coming years.”

James Given, director of equine health and welfare for the BHA, said, “The vaccination functionality within the Weatherbys ePassport played an important role within the protocols that allowed for racing to resume last year. The additional functionality that comes with the full rollout of the ePassport will be vital for the traceability of Thoroughbreds–a central pillar of our Horse Welfare strategy.”

Claire Sheppard, chief executive officer of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, said, “The movement functionality within the Weatherbys ePassport was hugely important when it came to maintaining the movement and traceability of stock during the 2020 and 2021 breeding season as part of the TBA's Covid 19 protocols. The enhanced functionality within the ePassport will bring many more benefits to breeders and the Thoroughbred industry, and we welcome its introduction. We will be working closely with Weatherbys and breeders to ensure an effective rollout and application of this exciting new technology.”