Plusvital Confirms 'Gold' Genotype

Edited Press Release

Plusvital has confirmed that G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) returned an Equinome C:C genotype result, as revealed Thursday by trainer Hugo Palmer and cited for the reason for withdrawing the colt from consideration for the G1 Investec Derby. Equinome scientists have found horses with a C:C genotype have an optimum racing distance of a mile or less. From a study of almost 1,000 group and listed winners to date, less than 1% of C:C horses raced in Europe demonstrated their optimum distance to be 1 1/2 miles, the Derby distance.

Donal Ryan, chief operations officer for Plusvital, said, “It's a fantastic endorsement to have a leading trainer such as Hugo Palmer publicly announce that the decision on whether to run Galileo Gold in the Derby has been informed by the Equinome Speed Gene Test. It is not the first time that a key decision to race a horse in the Derby has been made based on a combination of traditional methods and our genetic tools. Hugo has a clear understanding of how to combine the scientific information with his deep knowledge and understanding of the horse to ensure it is given the optimal opportunity to perform at its best. We firmly believe that equine genetics will enhance the Thoroughbred breed by allowing owners and trainers to understand more about how to get the absolute best out of each individual horse for both racing and breeding.”