The use of these technologies eliminates overheads in the long run by reducing the need to try horses over distances they prove to be unsuited to

This information could also be used to support your judgement on the ideal trip or likely two-year-old performance where this might not match expectations based on pedigree or physical type.

These tests are not designed to identify elite performance potential, but rather identify the conditions under which each individual horse can perform to its maximum potential.

No. By default, we treat all test results as strictly confidential, so there is no obligation for any operation to share this information with potential buyers. However, if you decide to share the results, it increases the trust and honesty between the consignor and buyer and can often increase the value of your horses.

Like all other training aids, this information can be incorporated into the regime by using it as a reference point to support or inform key decisions such as race entries.

Genetic testing and pedigree go hand in hand as the tests will give a definitive answer to what we are already attempting to infer from pedigree, but pedigree alone can often be misleading

As the genes are inherited in pairs, one from the dam and one from the sire, it is very common for full siblings to inherit different combinations of genes and thus be completely different types of racehorses. This is the reason why genetic testing is more accurate than pedigree alone.

No. The Speed Gene Test simply determines what type of horses a Stallion can produce, but does not indicate performance in any way. It provides breeders with a deeper understanding of what they can produce, allowing them to accurately control their breeding programs in line with their own individual goals. As a Stallion farm, it allows you to give concrete scientific evidence behind breeding recommendations, helping to increase stallion season sales and work with more owners to achieve the desired result.

No. T:T type horses are suited to longer distances and can take longer to physically develop when compared with C:C and C:T horses, but this does not mean that they are “bad” or “slow” horses. The racing trends highlighted above would suggest that they have a much lower likelihood of achieving two-year-old success, although it is evident that their earnings increase as they progress into their three-year-old season and further. As a breeding prospect, they are ideal if you are looking to breed middle to longer distance types, suited to Triple Crown races.

A perception within the industry is that it is harder to stay on dirt than it is on turf. We have confirmed this fact by measuring our Speed Gene Test against surface preference.

Studies from horses in training in leading National Hunt yards have shown that C:C horses were found to be less likely to win at any distance, and over 95% of winners at longer than three miles were T:T horses.

For more information and how to book your genetic tests:

Ireland & Europe contact Kate Deegan kate.deegan@plusvital.com.

Australia & New Zealand contact Fiona Goor fiona.goor@plusvital.com.

ROW contact Mike Shelly mike.shelly@plusvital.com.