Speed/Stamina Gene identified

Since the horse genome sequence became available in 2007, many of the genes contributing to the elite athletic physiology and physique of the horse have been identified: these include genes responsible for insulin signalling, metabolism of fats and muscle strength.

The genome is the complete complement of genetic material within an individual and carries the instructions for building and maintaining a living organism. The genetic material, known as DNA, is made up of the letters G, A, T and C. Various combinations of these letters make up the 3 billion letters of the genetic code. Approximately 25,000 genes are found within the genome, each gene spelling out the recipe for a particular protein. Proteins are the building blocks of cells and are the physical representation of the genetic information encoded in the DNA of the genome.

Research conducted at University College Dublin has developed technology that can be used to predict best race distance for an individual horse.

In a gene responsible for muscle mass development, a specific position in the genetic code can contain either the letter C or the letter T. As each individual has two copies of the gene—one inherited from the dam, one from the sire—there are three possible combinations of the letters: C:C, C:T or T:T.

The success of a racehorse depends on a combination of inherited characteristics (genes) and environmental influences including management and training. Pedigree studies have demonstrated that more than 35 percent of the variation in racecourse performance is due to inherited characteristics. In a situation where individuals are cared for and trained in the same way, the genetic contribution to racing performance will be considerably more important. In other words, all other things being equal, the main differences between two individuals in a yard will be in the genes.

The work, led by Dr Emmeline Hill at University College Dublin, was published January 20, 2010 in the Public Library of Science Journal, PLoS ONE.

For more details see:
Hill EW, Gu J, Eivers SS, Fonseca RG, McGivney BA, et al. (2010) A Sequence Polymorphism in MSTN Predicts Sprinting Ability and Racing Stamina in Thoroughbred Horses.
PLoS ONE 5(1): e8645. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0008645