EMMELINE Hill grew up with horses. Her father bred horses and had horses in training with Jim Bolger and Paddy Mullins, while her grandmother bred Dawn Run and rode in point-to-points into her 60s.

Emmeline, however, made her mark not from her exploits on horseback, but through the study and practical application of equine genomics. Her science studies at Trinity College Dublin focused on genetics which formed the basis of her PhD.

In 2004 she was funded by Science Foundation Ireland to establish the world’s first research programme dedicated to studying the genes for performance traits in thoroughbred horses. And the rest is history.

THE SPEED GENE

Horse breeders study genetics, how the characteristics of different mares and stallions are passed on to their foals. We see how some stallions stamp their foals with certain traits, both desirable and undesirable, and look at previous crosses from our mare to see what traits she has passed on.

Our breeding decisions will depend on many factors, including the type of horse we want to produce and our preference for certain traits such as speed, soundness, trainability, conformation et cetera. But, eventually we make a choice and wait to see what the outcome will be.

Equine genomics is the study of how a group of genes influence a particular trait. Most traits are linked to a combination of different genes. Whether a horse is a sprinter or a stayer, remarkably, is linked to just one gene, and it was this discovery that sky-rocketed Emmeline to success.

BENEFIT TO BREEDING

In the early days, the challenge was to collect samples and accurate data about the horses’ traits, in particular their speed and distance abilities as they developed in training. With the support of a group of Irish trainers, Emmeline was able to collect enough data to find a clear link between one particular gene and the preference for short or long distance races.

Not only did Emmeline discover the link between one particular gene and the preference for certain distances, but she also discovered that this gene was inherited in a predictable way. This means that a breeder who knows the speed gene value for both their mare and prospective stallion can predict, with a high degree of certainty, what distance the offspring will be best suited toward.

TESTING

Research into equine genomics is leading to businesses providing genetic tests which provide information that we can use to help make decisions around breeding, training and racing. Genetic testing can also help assess the level of risk for different kinds of disease.

Emmeline founded the genetic testing company, Equinome which is now a part of PlusVital. PlusVital offers the Speed Gene Test and additional tests for optimum distance, surface and projected height of the animal.

The speed gene results for over 80 stallions are published on the PlusVital website. Stallion owners see this information as adding value to their stallions by helping breeders make decisions ehich are more likely to lead to the production of a successful racehorse.

THE FUTURE

PlusVital has tested over 15,000 horses. The next challenge is to work out what traits make a successful racehorse and to see if they can be linked to particular genes or groups of genes.

Some of the traits currently being investigated include behavioural traits – some horses adapt well to the training yard and its routines, others do not – physiological traits and traits that affect health and soundness.

It is important to note that even if it is possible to decode the full equine genome, this is only the starting point in deciphering what makes a successful racehorse.

External factors such as training, diet, rider skills, accidents and luck will still play the major part in whether a horse becomes a successful racehorse, show jumper or eventer.

For more information visit plusvital.com.

Horse Tech Conference livestream

PROFESSOR Emmeline Hill of PlusVital, Scientific and Equine Consultant Dr David Marlin and Tom MacGuinness of Horseware Ireland are just some of the guest speakers who will be attending the inaugural Horse Tech Conference in London on Wednesday, October 18th, 2017.

The event, which begins at 9am, will be live-streamed for free and you can register for the live-stream online at horsetechconference.com.

Those joining in on the event via live-stream are encouraged to contribute to the conversations on Twitter using the hashtag #Horse_Techie.