Little stands still when it comes to technology, even in the racing world. As highlighted in last month’s edition of this magazine, the opportunities are now even there for breeders to incorporate artificial intelligence and other tech tools into their armoury. That’s to go with the various genomic testing tools out there, among them the Equinome Speed Gene Test which broke new ground when launched in 2010.
Now new research published in the Equine Veterinary Journal has pinpointed genes associated with Recurrent Laryngeal Neuropathy (RLN), otherwise known as laryngeal hemiplegia or ‘roaring’. For breeders, there has obviously long been value in utilising research with an eye on helping to determine the potential aptitude of a horse, for example its likely best distance. However, this new discovery has the scope to take matters a step further, with the hope that it should one day affect the thoroughbred for the better.
RLN is a major contributor to poor performance in racehorses with a reported prevalence of 15 to 19 per cent in thoroughbreds. It acts on the muscles in their upper airways, resulting in reduced airflow and increased work of breathing during exercise. It is why endoscopic examinations (‘scoping’) of the upper respiratory tract are often such an important part of a pre-sale vetting. But while they can help to identify horses that have the disease, studies have shown that scoping young horses at rest can fail to either detect it or assess if the disease will occur in the future.
Working with a leading international racehorse trainer in Ireland and with funding from Research Ireland, researchers at University College Dublin and Equinome followed over 200 horses in training in a case-controlled study between September 2012 and April 2016. Overground endoscopy examinations were carried out while the horses were under tack and at rest as well as laryngeal ultrasounds. The research was controlled to the point that the majority of the horses – 92 per cent – were bred, managed and trained at the same premises by one trainer.
Using DNA technologies, the research team identified a set of genetic markers associated with RLN. It was hailed as a breakthrough in combating the disease. Just as crucially, however, it has the potential to enable the development of a genetic test to identify horses with a three-times higher risk of developing it. The industry has long been aware of a hereditary element when it comes to wind problems, and quite often is happy to rely upon hearsay when it comes to potential culprits, especially among stallions. Indeed, the paper published in the Equine Veterinary Journal states: “It is well known in the industry that there are stallions that more commonly produce horses with RLN and that these horses continue to be used for breeding. Judicial breeding using genetic tools could reduce the incidence of risk alleles in the population if stallion and mare genotypes are known.”
Emmeline Hill, UCD Professor in Equine Genomics and chief science officer, went on to say that the new findings would “lay the groundwork for the development of a genetic test to improve the welfare of horses that have a genetic predisposition to the disease.”
She added: “As well as identifying horses with an increased risk of disease, this new information could also inform breeding guidance to reduce the incidence of the disease and provide targets for new therapies.”
The idea that the breed isn’t as tough as it once might have been has gained momentum in recent years. There are a myriad of reasons as to why that might be the case, and it could well be that an increased efficiency in detecting such disorders is emphasising the issue as well. However, perhaps with these new findings there is the potential to start reversing that trend and make it a stronger animal in one area at least. Hopefully that’s an opportunity that will be taken.
Trails popular
By all accounts, there have been efforts to launch a stallion trail in Britain but so far to no avail. That is a shame given the confirmed popularity of the Irish and French events, which were staged over consecutive weekends in January.
For many, the trails have become must-attend events on the calendar. They are important, not just because of the opportunity of doing business but also in that they bridge the divide between the industry and its fans.
In Ireland, over 30 studs opened their doors and were duly busy, with bad weather failing to prevent some hardy souls from venturing out to their chosen venues. In fact, so bad were the conditions leading up to this year’s event that Coolmore didn’t open on the first day, instead electing to host over two consecutive Saturdays; the registration slots were quick to disappear for both days.
The French trail, which is the older of the two initiatives, was similarly busy, attracting as ever a number of British and Irish visitors in addition to a deep domestic audience. And why not when visitors can enjoy the delights of Deauville in the evening having not had to travel far to view the likes of Ace Impact and Siyouni during the day.
It can be argued that the Newmarket open houses during the Tattersalls December Sale serve a similar purpose in Britain as do the stallion parades – past and present – at the January and February Sales. But most would agree it’s not the same.
As for the stallion parades, Tattersalls have taken sole responsibility for the event run alongside its February Sale. In a throwback to what was once staged years ago at the National Stud, this year’s gathering also includes exhibition displays from key industry organisations and a Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) showcase alongside a nine-strong stallion parade, all of which should make it more of an enlightening day than might have otherwise been the case.
