No Fluke About Classic Winner Pleascach

Equinome are making bold claims about their latest advances in gene technology.

The UCD based company of which trainer Jim Bolger is a founding Director claim that their new genetic test doubles the accuracy of predicting 'elite thoroughbred racing performance' than if using pedigree alone.

The test was developed by Equinome's research team led by Dr Emmeline Hill, using genetic information from the DNA of over 2,000 Thoroughbred racehorses from Europe, Australasia, South Africa and North America, including more than 500 elite racehorses with handicap ratings over 100.

The test scans 70,000 genetic variants on every horse submitted for analysis - more than any other test currently on the market - in search of those relevant to elite performance.

Dr Emmeline Hill, Equinome co-founder said, "The test was developed using modified statistical algorithms that have been so successfully applied to livestock animal breeding. Genomic selection has revolutionised the pig, dairy and beef breeding sectors and we expect that similarly the Thoroughbred industry will gain significant value from the integration of this major advancement in genomics science."

Studies have shown that the genetic requirements for sprinters are different than that of stayers, so the test utilises the horse's Equinome Speed Gene genotype to narrow the focus to the genes most relevant to sprinters, middle-distance or stayers to produce a Genomic Racing Value.

Additional scores are provided for sprint, middle-distance and stamina ability to provide an insight into an individual's specific strengths. Along with the potential for racecourse success, the Equinome Elite Performance Test v2.0 provides a Genomic Breeding Value that represents the potential for a broodmare or stallion to produce offspring with a greater aptitude for elite success based on the number of favourable genetic variants an individual may pass on to their progeny.

Most recently, the dam of this year's Irish 1000 Guineas winner, Pleascach, bred and trained by Equinome director Mr Jim Bolger, was tested to have a Genomic Breeding Value of I (highest possible score).

The first version of the EquinomeTM Elite Performance Test v1.0 was launched in 2011 and has already proven to be a valuable tool for clients worldwide in the identification of horses with the greatest potential to be elite performers.

From 590 individuals tested in advance of the 2014 yearling sales in Australia, horses with the highest genetic score (Class I) were nine times more likely to have won a race at 2 years old than if they had the lowest genetic score (Class IV).

Dr Hill added, "The new version of Equinome's Elite Performance Test represents another transformative step forward in our understanding of the genes contributing to athletic ability in the Thoroughbred. Genetics should be recognised as just one of many components that contribute to the development of an elite racehorse and as the technology continues to develop, genetic information will become increasingly important to maintain a competitive edge."