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Today's Racing :

Genetic breakthrough could transform racehorse breeding

Scientists in Ireland are claiming a “revolutionary” genetic breakthrough they believe “could transform the way racehorses are bred” reported racingpost.com.
It could also help owners & trainers “more quickly establish their horse's optimum racing distance”, according to Dr Emmeline Hill, creator of the Equinome Speed Gene Test.
Derby winning trainer Jim Bolger (who has formed a company with Dr Hill to promote the test) last night described the development as “without doubt the most important thing that has happened to breeding since it begun over 300 years ago.”
The key to Hill’s findings (based on samples taken from 179 Group & Listed winners since 2004) is the discovery of a gene that influences a horse’s speed.
It means a potential racehorse “could be tested to establish whether its particular speed gene characteristic would best identify it as a sprinter, middle-distance horse or stayer”.
Hill noted: “This information could help a breeder decide which stallions to use, as, coupled with test results from the mare, you will know the probability of the foal falling into each one of those 3 categories.”
Meanwhile, the Keeper Of The Australian Stud Book Michael Ford announced that, with most coverings for the 2009 season now lodged, it was “obvious the thoroughbred breeding industry had proved more resilient to the global financial crisis” than he originally expected.
Ford noted: “Major yearling sales, both here and overseas, were down 30% and with my faith in the hardiness of Australian thoroughbred breeders, I thought the number of coverings may decrease by only 15%; yet it looks like being less than 10%.”
At 20 January 23,320 mares were reported as being covered in the 2009 season by 710 stallions, compared with 26,480 in 2008: a drop of 12%, but still below the 2007 equine influenza-affected total of 24,580. Ford believes that when late reports are lodged, the total will achieve 24,000 “indicating only a 10% decrease from 2008, which is heartening for the industry”.

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