According to a Binghamton University biologist, it may be possible to boost the odds of getting a winner with a simple genetic test of thoroughbreds. All that is needed is one strand of hair from the horse's mane to test for a gene that is vital to energy production and two genes that are tied to muscle function.
Winning horse genes?
The idea for testing thoroughbreds started with the desire to look at a horse genetically to find a predictor of racing potential.
Testing for three genes among a horse's possible 27,000 genes is not foolproof since the right genes will not guarantee a winner and the wrong genes don't guarantee a loser, but Steven Tammariello, founder of ThoroughGen maintains the tests do boost the odds of picking fast horses and avoiding slow ones
Tammariello's research stems from being a lifelong fan of horse racing and it all started when he began to look at a horse genetically in order to get a predictor of its racing potential.
Tammariello takes a portable testing device to sales. and if he receives a sample by 4 p.m., he can give clients the results the next morning. For many breeders in the Thoroughbred industry, genetic testing is the future. And it's the future for other breeds of horses as well, not just the racers.
According to Tammariello, there are more thoroughbreds produced than ever make it to the track. In fact, about one-third of the thoroughbreds born each year will never race. Some are not sound enough. Some are not fast enough. So there's a whole population of horses that no one knows what to do with. By genetically testing stallions and mares, breeders may get a better idea which matches are likely to pay off.