The newly-merged Plus Vital – Equinome is holding a series of five free seminars around Ireland and the UK to inform breeders, trainers and owners about the range of genetic tests the company now offers to the racing and breeding industry.
Professor Emmeline Hill and Associate Professor Lisa Katz addressed the crowd at the first seminar, which was held in the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, Co Kildare on Monday night. Bedford Lodge in Newmarket hosts a seminar on Wednesday with another at Wetherby Racecourse on Thursday night, while Horse and Jockey plays host to the second Irish event on Dec. 5.
Professor Hill was one of the researchers who discovered the speed gene and set up Equinome but, as she demonstrated, the genetic information and testing now available reveals even more than purely the most appropriate distance a horse should race over.
“The goal we have at Plus Vital – Equinome is to improve the health and welfare of the horse, to understand the contribution of genetics to athletic performance and to use genetic information to inform breeding decisions,” she said. “We now offer seven different genetic tests to help identify the most suitable horses for types of racing and which horses are most likely to succeed.”
The speed gene test has been refined even further to separate each type into long and short variations, but of even greater interest is the Equinome Elite Performance Test. This newly developed test, which is continuously being refined and evolved, can show the potential each horse has of achieving elite success on the track. Their research has shown there are four different categories of horses with those in Class 1 having double the chance of being a black-type performer than the general population.
There is also a breeding value component to the test, which indicates the chances of a horse passing on a favourable set of genetic markers to the next generation. Again, the research shows that Class 1 horses produce twice as many stakes performers as the general population.
Research shows that up to 40% of foals never make it to the racetrack, and the company has developed a test that indicates the potential of a horse to race. Colts in the high potential category are six times more likely to race as 2- or 3-year-olds than those of low potential genes. However, for fillies, the difference is only 20%.
Plus Vital – Equinome has also developed a genetic test which indicates whether a horse will be better racing on turf or dirt, as one of those seven tests it offers. The Plus-Vital premium package, which offers all seven tests, costs €1400 per horse while the speed gene test is €590 for each horse.
Hill added, “The information can be used by owners, breeders and trainers at different stages of the life cycle of the horse as it has applications at every point in the horse's life. I recognise that taking on a whole new concept and technology that is quite abstract is difficult especially in an industry with such a long tradition. The genetic information is designed to sit alongside hundreds of years of experience to help make these decisions.”
Further information on the seminars can be obtained from info@plusvital.com.
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