December 1, 1998. Copyright, 1998, Graphic News. All rights reserved

BRITISH HORSERACING BOARD AND IRISH TURF CLUB CONFIRM MICROCHIP IMPLANT
By Midge Todhunter

LONDON, December 1, Graphic News:  CASES of mistaken identity among racehorses are set to become a thing of the past as all thoroughbred foals born on or after January 1, 1999 are to be microchipped in a bid to make them more easily identifiable.
The microchip, which can readily be checked with a simple bar-code reader, will be inserted by a vet halfway up the neck (on the near side) at the same time as the foalÕs markings and blood sample are taken Ð all to be conditions of entry into the General Stud Book held by Weatherbys, the official administrative body of racing.
The move comes after a two-year trial period by the British Horseracing Board and the Irish Turf Club, during which several mix-ups of horses have resulted in embarrassing racecourse scenes and infuriated punters.
Top juvenile trainer Jack BerryÕs team got it unbelievably wrong at Hamilton Park last August when their stable lad brought across the wrong horse from the racecourse stables. The two-year-old colt Perigeux was duly saddled and run in the three-year-old fillies handicap.
It was not until the colt had tailed off and finished last that the mistake was discovered and angry punters who had backed the horse to 7-2 favourite demanded all bets be refunded.
In mid-October Welsh handler David Evans was fined £400 by The Jockey Club for racing two fillies under the wrong names. The trainer had run Oriel Star twice Ð under the mistaken guise of Slightly Dusty Ð before the mix-up was spotted.
Dr Peter Webbon, The Jockey ClubÕs chief veterinary officer said: ÔThis innovation represents real progress for the integrity of racing and I anticipate all horses will now be checked in the paddock before each race.
/ENDS

Sources: British Horseracing Board