Thoroughbred Improvement Program

Project Information

The Thoroughbred Improvement Program (TIP) is an initiative in Ontario, Canada, designed to support and enhance the breeding and racing of Ontario-bred Thoroughbred horses. It provides financial incentives, awards, and funding to breeders, owners, and stallion managers to improve the quality and competitiveness of Ontario Thoroughbreds.

Website:

https://tip.ontarioracing.com/

Technologies:

.NET C# Docker Linux MySQL Nginx PHP Redis Sass Twig WordPress WP Plugin WP Theme

My Role & Contributions

Solution Architect & Software Developer
As both a Solution Architect and Software Developer for the Thoroughbred Improvement Program (TIP), I was responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing the platform to support Ontario’s Thoroughbred racing industry. My role required a strategic balance between infrastructure planning, backend services, and hands-on coding, ensuring scalability, performance, and security.
Solution Architecture Responsibilities
Infrastructure & Server Management
  • Architected a scalable, high-performance system using Docker containers on Linux, ensuring efficient application management.
  • Configured Nginx as a reverse proxy, optimizing load balancing and security.
  • Managed MySQL database architecture, ensuring structured and efficient data storage for race records, breeder registrations, and payout calculations.
  • Implemented GlusterFS for distributed storage, ensuring redundancy and scalability across web servers.
  • Integrated Redis caching to improve application responsiveness and optimize database queries and REST Service calls.
Security, Performance, & Scalability
  • Ensured SSL certificate integration for secure transactions and user data protection.
  • Designed API-based integrations with external data sources using RESTful services, improving interoperability.
  • Optimized server performance through WordPress query tuning, caching mechanisms, and database indexing.

Software Development Responsibilities
Backend Development
  • Developed RESTful APIs to seamlessly connect TIP’s core services with third-party applications and services.
  • Designed and implemented a Service Proxy using .NET, enabling efficient interaction with the main WCF Services.
  • Developed PHP-based components to support dynamic content delivery and system integrations.
  • Used REST services to consume data from TIP endpoints, ensuring efficient data retrieval for race schedules, breeder information, and incentive distribution.
WordPress Customization & Plugin Development
  • Engineered WordPress plugins to retrieve and consume data from endpoints, providing real-time updates on breeder incentives, race schedules, and eligibility verification.
  • Built custom WordPress themes using Twig and Sass, ensuring a responsive and modern design.
  • Enhanced content accessibility by developing dynamic search functionalities and user-friendly filtering systems.
Payment System & Application Support
  • Developed dynamic payment forms, improving user experience and payment processing workflows.
  • Provided technical support for both application development and infrastructure maintenance, ensuring operational continuity.
  Impact & Achievements
  • Built a scalable, secure, and high-performance architecture capable of handling Ontario’s Thoroughbred racing operations efficiently.
  • Delivered custom WordPress solutions to streamline data access, enhance user experience, and improve overall platform reliability.
  • Improved backend services through optimized API response times, caching mechanisms, and database performance enhancements.