Thoroughbred Racing Protective BureauHistory of TRPB
In January 1946, the TRPB was incorporated as a private investigative agency whose principal mission was to address issues of integrity and security in the Thoroughbred horse racing industry. A wholly owned subsidiary of the TRA, TRPB represents a unified effort by TRA-member racetrack associations to maintain high standards, protect the legitimate business interests and integrity of the sport, and foster and maintain public confidence.
Selected to head the new organization was Spencer Drayton, Sr., formerly an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and administrative assistant to then FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, an avid racing fan. Drayton modeled the TRPB similar to the FBI and brought in several FBI colleagues to assist him.
TRPB provides member tracks of the TRA with a variety of investigative, security and analytic services. Investigations of an administrative or criminal nature typify the often-complex matters pursued thoroughly by professional and qualified TRPB agents. TRPB's Bureau Information System, a repository which maintains, catalogues, and disseminates racing and wagering investigative, intelligence and security information, is without parallel in the racing industry.
In the early 21st century, TRPB created the Wagering Integrity Unit. The Analyst team represents an extensive knowledge of horse race betting and totalisator operations, and provides analytic products, presentations, and consultation to TRA member racing associations, regulatory clients, and domestic and international law enforcement organizations. The pinnacle development is the Wagering Analysis & Security Platform which collects and analyzes wagering information on a near real-time basis and identifies betting events requiring further investigation. Through this innovative project, unparalleled in the industry, TRPB delivers to its membership & client organizations integrity tools to monitor wagering and participant activity.
TRPB is recognized internationally for its expertise in all facets of racing and wagering integrity and security.
Beginning in 1947, TRPB initiated a system for identification of Thoroughbreds for race-time purposes using a distinctive "parallel cluster" lip tattoo die brand designed and patented by TRPB. The branding of the horse’s lip lasted for more than 70 years. After an extensive amount of research and in conjunction with The Jockey Club, the Digital Tattoo™ was launched as the modern-day successor to provide the North American Thoroughbred industry with the most effective, practical, and economical method of horse identification available. The Digital Tattoo indicates the TRPB has verified the identity of the horse and uploaded digital photographs to the breed registry's database. The resulting electronic record becomes the permanent Picture ID for the horse’s racing and post-racing career. Anyone linked to the electronic registration record of the horse has instant recognizable digital photos of the horse available on a tablet, iPad, or smartphone.