TRPB Making Transition to Digital Tattoos

The Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, an investigative agency formed in 1946 by the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America to protect the integrity of the sport, has announced the introduction of the digital tattoo system, scheduled for full implementation by Jan. 1, 2020.

The announcement was made by J. Curtis Linnell, executive vice president of the TRPB. 

The TRPB provides authentication of identity for every Thoroughbred racing in the United States and Canada. 

The Association of Racing Commissioners International passed a model rule regarding digital tattoos this past summer. The model rule states, effective by January 1, 2020, the racing secretary shall ensure that the registration certificates for all Thoroughbred horses that were foaled in 2018 or thereafter have a digital tattoo prior to entry in a race.

"With modern technology, specifically the use of microchips, scanners, wireless technology and tablets, a digital tattoo will clearly provide a superior and more robust form of identification," Linnell said. "We want the industry at large, as well as regulators and horse identification officials, not only to be aware of the impending change but to be fully prepared for implementation of the digital tattoo by January 1, 2020."

The transition to the TRPB Digital Tattoo follows the recent requirement by The Jockey Club for a horse to be microchipped prior to being registered and, more recently, the availability of a digital certificate of foal registration.  The breed registry for Thoroughbreds in North America issued the first digital foal certificate in May. 

The software for the digital tattoo was developed by The Jockey Club Technology Services.

"The TRPB's Digital Tattoos are an ideal complement to The Jockey Club's microchip and digital certificate initiatives," said Rick Bailey, The Jockey Club registrar. "We are working closely with the TRPB to ensure that the horse identification system in place in for Thoroughbred racehorses in the U.S. and Canada is thorough as well as technologically advanced."

In essence, the digital tattoo is an electronic validation of the identity of a horse performed by a trained TRPB technician. The technician will use a scanner to read the horse's microchip and the microchip number will hyperlink to electronic registration information.

After fully examining the markings and foal photos contained in the horse's electronic record, the technician will confirm the identity of the horse standing in front of him or her and upload a selection of digital pictures documenting the horse's markings to The Jockey Club's database. The TRPB technician will then place an electronic embossment on the face photo of the horse and a digital stamp on the electronic certificate of registration.

This digital tattoo will indicate that the TRPB has verified the identity of the horse and uploaded updated digital photographs to the breed registry's database.

TRPB personnel will be meeting with racing officials, regulators, horse identification personnel and various other industry officials through the end of this year and throughout next year to familiarize them with the change. The current practice of branding horses on the inside lip will be discontinued at the end of 2019. 

The TRPB website will contain additional information leading up to the rollout of the digital tattoo.

FACT SHEET

What is a TRPB Digital Tattoo? 

A digital tattoo indicates that a Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau technician has authenticated the identity of a horse by virtue of an in-person inspection that includes scanning the Thoroughbred's microchip, comparing markings and photos from The Jockey Club database and uploading updated digital photographs to the breed registry.

Why is the TRPB introducing the so-called digital tattoo?

With wireless technology, two-factor authentication (scanning the microchip and sharing updated photos of horses of racing age) provides a superior form of identification and further ensures integrity.

When will this change take place?

In keeping with a model rule adopted by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI), the digital tattoo system will be implemented by January 1, 2020. The model rule states that the racing secretary shall ensure all Thoroughbred horses entered to race that were foaled in 2018 or thereafter have a TRPB Digital Tattoo. [This Digital Tattoo shall indicate that the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau has confirmed the identity of the horse and uploaded updated digital photographs to the breed registry database.]

What horses will this effect? 

Starting January 1, 2020, any Thoroughbred making a first lifetime start in a recognized pari-mutuel race, that has not been previously tattooed, will need to have the TRPB Digital Tattoo in order to be correctly identified in the paddock and permitted to race.

Who will be doing the digital tattoo and where will it be done?

The TRPB employs 56 technicians throughout the United States and Canada who will be responsible for applying the digital tattoo, which is an electronic validation of the horse's identity, to the horse's certificate of foal registration located in the horse's database

What does an owner need to do before his/her Thoroughbred receives the digital tattoo?

The owner must ensure that his or her Thoroughbred has been microchipped and registered with The Jockey Club. The TRPB technician will collect the standard TRPB tattoo fee when he or she inspects the horse and upon confirmation of identity, applies the digital tattoo.

How will a horse identifier at the racetrack access a digital tattoo?

Horse identifiers will use a microchip scanner and a tablet that provides electronic foal papers and the pictures of the horse recently uploaded by the TRPB technician who is providing the digital tattoo.

What officials will have access to the digital tattoo?

Regulatory officials, racing secretaries, horse identification personnel, and stewards may have credentialed access to The Jockey Club Registry horse identification webpage.

Does TRPB recommend any particular scanners or tablets?

The TRPB recommends a Datamars Omni Bluetooth Scanner and a Samsung Galaxy Tablet.

Where can I learn more about microchipping and registering a foal?

The Jockey Club has produced and made available a three-minute instructional video that illustrates the implantation of microchips, which became a condition of foal registration starting with foals born in 2017 or later. The video, and other information, is available at registry.jockeyclub.com.

Where can I learn more about the introduction of the digital tattoo?

The TRPB website will feature additional information during the rollout of the digital tattoo. Questions may be directed to Emma Smith of the TRPB at (410) 398-2261, Ext. 248.