Cracking the code: The Speed Gene Revealed Dr. Emmeline Hill Equinome Ltd., NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, Belfield, Dublin 4 Email: [email protected]

Cracking the code: The Speed Gene Revealed

Dr. Emmeline HillEquinome Ltd., NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, Belfield, Dublin 4

Email: [email protected]

The horse genome:the complete complementof genetic material

TTATATTTCCCTAATTATACAGCACTAAAAATAATTTAATACAACAAATACAATTCTTTCTATTTCAAATGTTTGCCTAAATAATATAAAATCTTAATTTCTGAGGAAGTAACATTTCAACTTTTTTAAGTATGAAGTGTAAATTAAGATTTACTTATTTAAATTATAACTTGAGTTTCACATATAAAGATAAGATTTAAGTGTAGTTTATTTTATTGTTAACACAGACTTTAATTTTTCAAATATCACATTATCTTTCTTATTTATAGATTTATTTCTTTTATGAAGTAGTCAAATGAATCAGCTCACCCTTGACTGTAACAAAATACTGTTTGGTGACTTGTGACAGACAGGGTTTTAACCTCTGACAGCGAGATTCATTGTGGAGCAGGAGCCAATCATAGATCCTGACGACACTTGTCTCATCAAAGTTGGAATATAAAAAGCCACTTGGAATACAGTATAAAAGATTCACTGGTGTGGCAAGTTGTCTCTCAGACTGTACAGGCATTAAAATTTTGCTTGGCATTGCTCAAAAGCAAAAGAAAAGTAAAAGGAAGAAATAAGAGCAAGGAAAAAGATTGAACTGATTTTAAAATCTGCAAAAACTGCAAATCTATGTTTATATTTACCTGTTTGTGCTGATTCTTGCTGGTCCAGTGGATCTAAATGAGAACAGCGAGCAAAAAGAAAATGTGGAAAAAGAGGGGCTGTGCAATGCATGTACTTGGAGACAAAACACTAAATCTTCAAGAATAGAAGCCATAAAAATTCAAATCTCAGTAAACTGCGCCTGGAAACAGCTCCTAACATCAGCAAAGATGCTATTAGACAACTTTTGCCCAAAGCTCCTCCACTCCGGGAACTGATTGATCAGTACGATGTCCAGAGAGATGACAGCAGTGATGGCTCTTTGGAAGATGATGATTACCACGCGACGACGGAAACAATCATTACCATGCCTACAGAGTGTAAGTAGTCCTGTTAGTGTATATCAACAATTCTGCTGACTGTTGTTCTAGTGTTTATGAGAAACAGATCTATTTTCAGGCTCTTTTAACAAGCTGTTGGCTTGTATGTAAGCAGGAAGGAAAAGAGTTTCTTTTTTTCAAGATTTCATGAGAAATTTACTAATGAGACTGAAATCTGCTGCATTATTTGTTTTCTTAGAGAGCTAAAAAGCTAAACAAAATAAAATTCTTGCACAGCATTAATATTATTTAGTTTAATATGACAAATATAACATGCTTATGCTTTCACAGCTTAATACCACCAAGGCAAAAATTGGGAGATAGTACAAGCAATGTTAAAAACTTACATGAGATTTCATAATTGCGTTTGGTTGCCTAAAATAAGCATTTATAATAACAAGTTTTTTTCACTAATAATAGAGAAGGAAGAAATTTGTAGACGTTTAGGTCATTTGAGCATTTGCTGAACACCAAAATGACTTCTGTTACTCAAAACTATTTCTCATAGTGTTTTTATGTTCTTCACAAATTAACATATTAGATTTTGAAAGTTATTCCCCTGGAGATTAGGAAAAATATTTTTTAAAATTTAATGTATTAGTAAGAAAAATGATGAAGTAAACATAGCATAATGATAATCATGAGCTAATTATCATAAAATGCCTAATAAATAAACATTTTAATCAAAGAGGTTATAGCTCAGAGTCCTGCTTACACCTTGACCATAGTACTATTGTTGAGAGCACCCGGGGTGCACATTTCCAGGCAGGCACATTGCTTAATAATCTCCTAAAATACAATTTTATTCTTCTTGGGAGGGAGGACTACTACCTGTAGTATCTATATTGCTTCTGAAAGATAATATATTTCATATATTCTTTTTGCAGTCAGTTCATAACTACACTCAAGGAAAGGGAGACAGACACCTTCACAGAGAAGGCATGACACGGAAGATTCTGTGCCATGTGTCTGCGATCCTGCTTTACCCAGTGCTTTATCTACTTTAAACAGGACACAACAGTTTCAAAATATTGTTCTCCTTATTAAGTAATCAGGTTATAATGCACCAAATAATTTTCCTTTATGACTCTGCTATCAAATAGTCCTGGAGTAGATTTACCTTATTTATAAACAATCTTGGGGAACCAAAATAAAAGAAATTGCTAGTGATTTTGCTCACAATGACAGCCTGGCTCTAAAGACAGTATTTTCTAACTTTTGAGATAGCCTGAATATAACATTCAAATTTTTGTGCTAATTACTTGCTTAGCTTTGTTCCTTTAAAAGGCTATTCCAAAGCCAAAACATAACAGATGTACTATATTTTCTCTTAATTCCCGAGGCTCAGTTAGTTCCTCAGTGTGTCTTGTCCCCAGGTAATTCAGGCCTGGGGGAAGGGTTCCTTCTTCCAGACTGATTGGTACAGCTGCTCAGTAAGTGTAACTACTCAGATTCCCAAAGAATTCTAAGTGGATGTTCCTCCACGGTGTCTCTTGTTCTCTCTAATCATCATCATTTTAAAATTTCATCCACAGTTCATTCCTTCATAGAATTTTCCTTAGTTCACAGTTTTCTGGAAAAGAAGTAGATTCCTCATAAACAGCTGAAAAAACATATATCAAAAATTCTGAAAGGCTAGAGTAATTATATTCTTTGATATTTTTCTGAGTTATGAATGAAATTCTACATAGTTTTTCACTTTAAAAGACTAAATATATATTCAGTATTCCAATGGAAAAAAAATGTTCACCAACTAATATGGAAGGGTTTACTAATTTTTTATGATAAATAATTTCAATAACTCTTTTTCTTTTCTTATTCATTTATAGCTGATCTTCTAATGCAAGTGGAAGGAAAACCCAAATGTTGCTTCTTTAAATTTAGCTCTAAAATACAATACAATAAAGTAGTAAAGGCCCAACTGTGGATATATCTGAGACCCGTCAAGACTCCTACAACAGTGTTTGTGCAAATCCTGAGACTCATCAAACCCATGAAAGACGGTACAAGGTATACTGGAATCCGATCTCTGAAACTTGACATGAACCCAGGCGCTGGTATTTGGCAGAGCATTGATGTGAAGACAGTGTTGCAAAATTGGCTCAAACAGCCTGAATCCAACTTAGGCATTGAAATCAAAGCTTTAGATGAGAATGGTCATGATCTTGCTGTAACCTTCCCAAGACCAGGAGAAGATGGGCTGGTAAGTGATAAATGAAAATAATATTCTAACAACCTTGTTATGTTTTTATTCATCATGTGAATGAATAATAGTGGAAAATCACTACCAGTTTCCTATGCTAACAAGCTAGACAAAGGCATCTTACCCCAATGGCAGCCCTGTACCCAATAAAAGTAGGTGTCCAATTTCATATCCAATGAAACACCCTCTTGATATGTCAACTTTGCATGAGGATTAAAAAAACGTTATACCATAGTCCTTAACTCCTCAGGGAGTTCTTTGGAATTGGGAATGAAATATAAAGTGCTTTTCATTGATATGCCACATAATTATATGAATAAAAACACAAAATCTTCACAATGGATTCTTGTACATACCCAACAAATTAAACCTTTTCTTCCCCCCAGAAGAGTGTCAAATGTGTTGAAAGTTTTCTGCTTAATAAAGCAGAGTAAAACTTTAAAAATTATAATTAAAATACAATGCTTTTATTTATAGCAATTAAGTACAAAATGTTTAGGCTTATATTTTATTAAATATACCATATTCAAGGTCCCTCATGATAAATATGTTCATTATGTTCATTATTTTGCAGGCTGTTGATGCATTGATGTTTCTGTAGATTATTCATTTATAGCTGATCTTCTAATGCAAGTGGAAGGAAAACCCAAATGTTGCTTCTTTAAATTTAGCTCTAAAATACAATACAATAAAGTAGTAAAGGCCCAACTGTGGATATATCTGAGACCCGTCAAGACTCCTACAACAGTGTTTGTGCAAATCCTGAGACTCATCAAACCCATGAAAGACGGTACAAGGTATACTGGAATCCGATCTCTGAAACTTGACATGAACCCAGGCGCTGGTATTTGGCAGAGCATTGATGTGAAGACAGTGTTGCAAAATTGGCTCAAACAGCCTGAATCCAACTTAGGCATTGAAATCAAAGCTTTAGATGAGAATGGTCATGATCTTGCTGTAACCTTCCCAAGACCAGGAGAAGATGGGCTGGTAAGTGATAAATGAAAATAATATTCTAACAACCTTGTTATGTTTTTATTCATCATGTGAATGAATAATAGTGGAAAATCACTACCAGTTTCCTATGCTAACAAGCTAGACAAAGGCATCTTACCCCAATGGCAGCCCTGTACCCAATAAAAGTAGGTGTCCAATTTCATATCCAATGAAACACCCTCTTGATATGTCAACTTTGCATGAGGATTAAAAAAACGTTATACCATAGTCCTTAACTCCTCAGGGAGTTCTTTGGAATTGGGAATGAAATATAAAGTGCTTTTCATTGATATGCCACATAATTATATGAATAAAAACACAAAATCTTCACAATGGATTCTTGTACATACCCAACAAATTAAACCTTTTCTTCCCCCCAGAAGAGTGTCAAATGTGTTGAAAGTTTTCTGCTTAATAAAGCAGAGTAAAACTTTAAAAATTATAATTAAAATACAATGCTTTTATTTATAGCAATTAAGTACAAAATGTTTAGGCTTATATTTTATTAAATATACCATATTCAAGGTCCCTCATGATAAATATGTTCATTATGTTCATTATTTTGCAGGCTGTTGATGCATTGATGTTTCTGTAGATTATTCATTTATAGCTGATCTTCTAATGCAAGTGGAAGGAAAACCCAAATGTTGCTTCTTTAAATTTAGCTCTAAAATACAATACAATAAAGTAGTAAAGGCCCAACTGTGGATATATCTGAGACCCGTCAAGACTCCTACAACAGTGTTTGTGCAAATCCTGAGACTCATCAAACCCATGAAAGACGGTACAAGGTATACTGGAATCCGATCTCTGAAACTTGACATGAACCCAGGCGCTGGTATTTGGCAGAGCATTGATGTGAAGACAGTGTTGCAAAATTGGCTCAAACAGCCTGAATCCAACTTAGGCATTGAAATCAAAGCTTTAGATGAGAATGGTCATGATCTTGCTGTAACCTTCCCAAGACCAGGAGAAGATGGGCTGGTAAGTGATAAATGAAAATAATATTCTAACAACCTTGTTATGTTTTTATTCATCATGTGAATGAATAATAGTGGAAAATCACTACCAGTTTCCTATGCTAACAAGCTAGACAAAGGCATCTTACCCCAATGGCAGCCCTGTACCCAATAAAAGTAGGTGTCCAATTTCATATCCAATGAAACACCCTCTTGATATGTCAACTTTGCATGAGGATTAAAAAAACGTTATACCATAGTCCTTAACTCCTCAGGGAGTTCTTTGGAATTGGGAATGAAATATAAAGTGCTTTTCATTGATATGCCACATAATTATATGAATAAAAACACAAAATCTTCACAATGGATTCTTGTACATACCCAACAAATTAAACCTTTTCTTCCCCCCAGAAGAGTGTCAAATGTGTTGAAAGTTTTCTGCTTAATAAAGCAGAGTAAAACTTTAAAAATTATAATTAAAATACAATGCTTTTATTTATAGCAATTAAGTACAAAATGTTTAGGCTTATATTTTATTAAATATTTCCCTAATTATACAGCACTAAAAATAATTTAATACAACAAATACAATTCTTTCTATTTCAAATGTTTGCCTAAATAATATAAAATCTTAATTTCTGAGGAAGTAACATTTCAACTTTTTTAAGTATGAAGTGTAAATTAAGATTTACTTATTTAAATTATAACTTGAGTTTCACATATAAAGATAAGATTTAAGTGTAGTTTATTTTATTGTTAACACAGACTTTAATTTTTCAAATATCACATTATCTTTCTTATTTATAGATTTATTTCTTTTATGAAGTAGTCAAATGAATCAGCTCACCCTTGACTGTAACAAAATACTGTTTGGTGACTTGTGACAGACAGGGTTTTAACCTCTGACAGCGAGATTCATTGTGGAGCAGGAGCCAATCATAGATCCTGACGACACTTGTCTCATCAAAGTTGGAATATAAAAAGCCACTTGGAATACAGTATAAAAGATTCACTGGTGTGGCAAGTTGTCTCTCAGACTGTACAGGCATTAAAATTTTGCTTGGCATTGCTCAAAAGCAAAAGAAAAGTAAAAGGAAGAAATAAGAGCAAGGAAAAAGATTGAACTGATTTTAAAATCTGCAAAAACTGCAAATCTATGTTTATATTTACCTGTTTGTGCTGATTCTTGCTGGTCCAGTGGATCTAAATGAGAACAGCGAGCAAAAAGAAAATGTGGAAAAAGAGGGGCTGTGCAATGCATGTACTTGGAGACAAAACACTAAATCTTCAAGAATAGAAGCCATAAAAATTCAAATCTCAGTAAACTGCGCCTGGAAACAGCTCCTAACATCAGCAAAGATGCTATTAGACAACTTTTGCCCAAAGCTCCTCCACTCCGGGAACTGATTGATCAGTACGATGTCCAGAGAGATGACAGCAGTGATGGCTCTTTGGAAGATGATGATTACCACGCGACGACGGAAACAATCATTACCATGCCTACAGAGTGTAAGTAGTCCTGTTAGTGTATATCAACAATTCTGCTGACTGTTGTTCTAGTGTTTATGAGAAACAGATCTATTTTCAGGCTCTTTTAACAAGCTGTTGGCTTGTATGTAAGCAGGAAGGAAAAGAGTTTCTTTTTTTCAAGATTTCATGAGAAATTTACTAATGAGACTGAAATCTGCTGCATTATTTGTTTTCTTAGAGAGCTAAAAAGCTAAACAAAATAAAATTCTTGCACAGCATTAATATTATTTAGTTTAATATGACAAATATAACATGCTTATGCTTTCACAGCTTAATACCACCAAGGCAAAAATTGGGAGATAGTACAAGCAATGTTAAAAACTTACATGAGATTTCATAATTGCGTTTGGTTGCCTAAAATAAGCATTTATAATAACAAGTTTTTTTCACTAATAATAGAGAAGGAAGAAATTTGTAGACGTTTAGGTCATTTGAGCATTTGCTGAACACCAAAATGACTTCTGTTACTCAAAACTATTTCTCATAGTGTTTTTATGTTCTTCACAAATTAACATATTAGATTTTGAAAGTTATTCCCCTGGAGATTAGGAAAAATATTTTTTAAAATTTAATGTATTAGTAAGAAAAATGATGAAGTAAACATAGCATAATGATAATCATGAGCTAATTATCATAAAATGCCTAATAAATAAACATTTTAATCAAAGAGGTTATAGCTCAGAGTCCTGCTTACACCTTGACCATAGTACTATTGTTGAGAGCACCCGGGGTGCACATTTCCAGGCAGGCACATTGCTTAATAATCTCCTAAAATACAATTTTATTCTTCTTGGGAGGGAGGACTACTACCTGTAGTATCTATATTGCTTCTGAAAGATAATATATTTCATATATTCTTTTTGCAGTCAGTTCATAACTACACTCAAGGAAAGGGAGACAGACACCTTCACAGAGAAGGCATGACACGGAAGATTCTGTGCCATGTGTCTGCGATCCTGCTTTACCCAGTGCTTTATCTACTTTAAACAGGACACAACAGTTTCAAAATATTGTTCTCCTTATTAAGTAATCAGGTTATAATGCACCAAATAATTTTCCTTTATGACTCTGCTATCAAATAGTCCTGGAGTAGATTTACCTTATTTATAAACAATCTTGGGGAACCAAAATAAAAGAAATTGCTAGTGATTTTGCTCACAATGACAGCCTGGCTCTAAAGACAGTATTTTCTAACTTTTGAGATAGCCTGAATATAACATTCAAATTTTTGTGCTAATTACTTGCTTAGCTTTGTTCCTTTAAAAGGCTATTCCAAAGCCAAAACATAACAGATGTACTATATTTTCTCTTAATTCCCGAGGCTCAGTTAGTTCCTCAGTGTGTCTTGTCCCCAGGTAATTCAGGCCTGGGGGAAGGGTTCCTTCTTCCAGACTGATTGGTACAGCTGCTCAGTAAGTGTAACTACTCAGATTCCCAAAGAATTCTAAGTGGATGTTCCTCCACGGTGTCTCTTGTTCTCTCTAATCATCATCATTTTAAAATTTCATCCACAGTTCATTCCTTCATAGAATTTTCCTTAGTTCACAGTTTTCTGGAAAAGAAGTAGATTCCTCATAAACAGCTGAAAAAACATATATCAAAAATTCTGAAAGGCTAGAGTAATTATATTCTTTGATATTTTTCTGAGTTATGAATGAAATTCTACATAGTTTTTCACTTTAAAAGACTAAATATATATTCAGTATTCCAATGGAAAAAAAATGTTCACCAACTAATATGGAAGGGTTTACTAATTTTTTATGATAAATAATTTCAATAACTCTTTTTCTTTTCTTATTCATTTATAGCTGATCTTCTAATGCAAGTGGAAGGAAAACCCAAATGTTGCTTCTTTAAATTTAGCTCTAAAATACAATACAATAAAGTAGTAAAGGCCCAACTGTGGATATATCTGAGACCCGTCAAGACTCCTACAACAGTGTTTGTGCAAATCCTGAGACTCATCAAACCCATGAAAGACGGTACAAGGTATACTGGAATCCGATCTCTGAAACTTGACATGAACCCAGGCGCTGGTATTTGGCAGAGCATTGATGTGAAGACAGTGTTGCAAAATTGGCTCAAACAGCCTGAATCCAACTTAGGCATTGAAATCAAAGCTTTAGATGAGAATGGTCATGATCTTGCTGTAACCTTCCCAAGACCAGGAGAAGATGGGCTGGTAAGTGATAAATGAAAATAATATTCTAACAACCTTGTTATGTTTTTATTCATCATGTGAATGAATAATAGTGGAAAATCACTACCAGTTTCCTATGCTAACAAGCTAGACAAAGGCATCTTACCCCAATGGCAGCCCTGTACCCAATAAAAGTAGGTGTCCAATTTCATATCCAATGAAACACCCTCTTGATATGTCAACTTTGCATGAGGATTAAAAAAACGTTATACCATAGTCCTTAACTCCTCAGGGAGTTCTTTGGAATTGGGAATGAAATATAAAGTGCTTTTCATTGATATGCCACATAATTATATGAATAAAAACACAAAATCTTCACAATGGATTCTTGTACATACCCAACAAATTAAACCTTTTCTTCCCCCCAGAAGAGTGTCAAATGTGTTGAAAGTTTTCTGCTTAATAAAGCAGAGTAAAACTTTAAAAATTATAATTAAAATACAATGCTTTTATTTATAGCAATTAAGTACAAAATGTTTAGGCTTATATTTTATTAAATATACCATATTCAAGGTCCCTCATGATAAATATGTTCATTATGTTCATTATTTTGCAGGCTGTTGATGCATTGATGTTTCTGTAGATTATTCATTTATAGCTGATCTTCTAATGCAAGTGGAAGGAAAACCCAAATGTTGCTTCTTTAAATTTAGCTCTAAAATACAATACAATAAAGTAGTAAAGGCCCAACTGTGGATATATCTGAGACCCGTCAAGACTCCTACAACAGTGTTTGTGCAAATCCTGAGACTCATCAAACCCATGAAAGACGGTACAAGGTATACTGGAATCCGATCTCTGAAACTTGACATGAACCCAGGCGCTGGTATTTGGCAGAGCATTGATGTGAAGACAGTGTTGCAAAATTGGCTCAAACAGCCTGAATCCAACTTAGGCATTGAAATCAAAGCTTTAGATGAGAATGGTCATGATCTTGCTGTAACCTTCCCAAGACCAGGAGAAGATGGGCTGGTAAGTGATAAATGAAAATAATATTCTAACAACCTTGTTATGTTTTTATTCATCATGTGAATGAATAATAGTGGAAAATCACTACCAGTTTCCTATGCTAACAAGCTAGACAAAGGCATCTTACCCCAATGGCAGCCCTGTACCCAATAAAAGTAGGTGTCCAATTTCATATCCAATGAAACACCCTCTTGATATGTCAACTTTGCATGAGGATTAAAAAAACGTTATACCATAGTCCTTAACTCCTCAGGGAGTTCTTTGGAATTGGGAATGAAATATAAAGTGCTTTTCATTGATATGCCACATAATTATATGAATAAAAACACAAAATCTTCACAATGGATTCTTGTACATACCCAACAAATTAAACCTTTTCTTCCCCCCAGAAGAGTGTCAAATGTGTTGAAAGTTTTCTGCTTAATAAAGCAGAGTAAAACTTTAAAAATTATAATTAAAATACAATGCTTTTATTTATAGCAATTAAGTACAAAATGTTTAGGCTTATATTTTATTAAATATACCATATTCAAGGTCCCTCATGATAAATATGTTCATTATGTTCATTATTTTGCAGGCTGTTGATGCATTGATGTTTCTGTAGATTATTCATTTATAGCTGATCTTCTAATGCAAGTGGAAGGAAAACCCAAATGTTGCTTCTTTAAATTTAGCTCTAAAATACAATACAATAAAGTAGTAAAGGCCCAACTGTGGATATATCTGAGACCCGTCAAGACTCCTACAACAGTGTTTGTGCAAATCCTGAGACTCATCAAACCCATGAAAGACGGTACAAGGTATACTGGAATCCGATCTCTGAAACTTGACATGAACCCAGGCGCTGGTATTTGGCAGAGCATTGATGTGAAGACAGTGTTGCAAAATTGGCTCAAACAGCCTGAATCCAACTTAGGCATTGAAATCAAAGCTTTAGATGAGAATGGTCATGATCTTGCTGTAACCTTCCCAAGACCAGGAGAAGATGGGCTGGTAAGTGATAAATGAAAATAATATTCTAACAACCTTGTTATGTTTTTATTCATCATGTGAATGAATAATAGTGGAAAATCACTACCAGTTTCCTATGCTAACAAGCTAGACAAAGGCATCTTACCCCAATGGCAGCCCTGTACCCAATAAAAGTAGGTGTCCAATTTCATATCCAATGAAACACCCTCTTGATATGTCAACTTTGCATGAGGATTAAAAAAACGTTATACCATAGTCCTTAACTCCTCAGGGAGTTCTTTGGAATTGGGAATGAAATATAAAGTGCTTTTCATTGATATGCCACATAATTATATGAATAAAAACACAAAATCTTCACAATGGATTCTTGTACATACCCAACAAATTAAACCTTTTCTTCCCCCCAGAAGAGTGTCAAATGTGTTGAAAGTTTTCTGCTTAATAAAGCAGAGTAAAACTTTAAAAATTATAATTAAAATACAATGCTTTTATTTATAGCAATTAAGTACAAAATGTTTAGGCTTATATTTTATTAAAATCTCTGAAACTTGACATGAACCCAGGCGCTGGTATTTGGCAGAGCATTGATGTGAAGACAGTGTTGCAAAATTGGCTCAAACAGCCTGAATCCAACTTAGGCATTGAAATCAAAGCTTTAGATGAGAATGGTCATGATCTTGCTGTAACCTTCCCAAGACCAGGAGAAGATGGGCTGGTAAGTGATAAATGAAAATAATATTCTAACAACCTTGTTATGTTTTTATTCATCATGTGAATGAATAATAGTGGAAAATCACTACCAGTTTCCTATGCTAACAAGCTAGACAAAGGCATCTTACCCCAATGGCAGCCCTGTACCCAATAAAAGTAGGTGTCCAATTTCATATCCAATGAAACACCCTCTTGATATGTCAACTTTGCATGAGGATTAAAAAAACGTTATACCATAGTCCTTAACTCCTCAGGGAGTTCTTTGGAATTGGGAATGAAATATAAAGTGCTTTTCATTGATATGCCACATAATTATATGAATAAAAACACAAAATCTTCACAATGGATTCTTGTACATACCCAACAAATTAAACCTTTTCTTCCCCCCAGAAGAGTGTCAAATGTGTTGAAAGTTTTCTGCTTAATAAAGCAGAGTAAAACTTTAAAAATTATAATTAAAATACAATGCTTTTATTTATAGCAATTAAGTACAAAATGTTTAGGCTTATATTTTATTAAATATACCATATTCAAGGTCCCTCATGATAAATATGTTCATTATGTTCATTATTTTGCAGGCTGTTGATGCATTGATGTTTCTGTAGATTATTCATTTATAGCTGATCTTCTAATGCAAGTGGAAGGAAAACCCAAATGTTGCTTCTTTAAATTTAGCTCTAAAATACAATACAATAAAGTAGTAAAGGCCCAACTGTGGATATATCTGAGACCCGTCAAGACTCCTACAACAGTGTTTGTGCAAATCCTGAGACTCATCAAACCCATGAAAGACGGTACAAGGTATACTGGAATCCGATCTCTGAAACTTGACATGAACCCAGGCGCTGGTATTTGGCAGAGCATTGATGTGAAGACAGTGTTGCAAAATTGGCTCAAACAGCCTGAATCCAACTTAGGCATTGAAATCAAAGCTTTAGATGAGAATGGTCATGATCTTGCTGTAACCTTCCCAAGACCAGGAGA

• Completed in January 2007

• Collaborative effort among scientists

• 1 female Thoroughbred

• The principal goal of the Horse Genome Project is to benefit the health and welfare of horses

Twilight

Science 6 November 2009: Vol. 326. no. 5954, pp. 865 - 867

The horse genome project

The Horse Genome was sequenced at The Broad Institute, MIT & Harvard, Boston

• DNA is the genetic material that spells out the genetic code

• DNA is made up of the letters G A T C

• Approx. 3 billion letters spell out the genetic code

• Genetic material is arranged in 32 pairs of chromosomes

• A chromosome is a long linear DNA molecule with 1000s of genes.

The genetic code

AGTCTTGACTGATATCTTGTCTATAGTGATTCTAGACAAGCCCTGTCATATGATCGTTCCAGAGATATTT


Simple trait Complex trait

• Genes are found across a chromosome like ‘beads on a string’

• There are approx. 25,000 genes in the genome

• Genes contain the ‘recipe’ for proteins

• Proteins are expressed in the cell and are responsible for the physical

expression of the trait

Genotype = The actual genetic make up of an individualPhenotype = The observed characteristics of an individual

Genotype (genetic composition)

Genotype + Environment = Phenotype

Phenotype

Actions of other genes and their products Environmental influences

How important are genes?• Definition of a Thoroughbred

relates to its genetic heritage• Pedigrees are visual representation

of the ancestral genetic contributions to an individual

• Provide some indication of the possible genetic make-up

Genes and performance• Ability to perform on the racetrack requires the right combination of

genes and a favourable environment• In humans > 200 genes for health and fitness related traits have been

characterised• Likely that a large number of genes contribute to performance in an

additive way

What’s the difference?• Studies have shown 35 – 55 % variation in racetrack performance is

heritable

• When all other things are equal, the genetic make-up of an individual will almost entirely be responsible for the variation in the phenotype.

• The difference between two individuals is the difference in the spelling of the genetic code.

Population genomics & selection Functional genomics of exercise

SNP association & racing performanceExercise physiology

The Speed Gene - myostatin• Investigated DNA differences in the myostatin gene in Thoroughbreds• Myostatin is a gene responsible for muscle mass development• DNA differences in myostatin are responsible for muscle hypertrophy

phenotypes in cattle, sheep, dogs, mice and humans

The difference in the DNA• Identified a single DNA difference in the genetic code of myostatin


AGTCTTGACTGATATCTTGTCTATAGTGATTCTAGATAAGCCCTGTCATATGATCGTTCCAGAGATATTT

C T

Pair of chromosomes

Gene Variant C

Gene Variant T

Paternal origin (sire)

Maternal origin (dam)



CT

Pair of chromosomes

Gene Variant C

Gene Variant C





CC

Pair of chromosomes

Gene Variant T

Gene Variant T





TT

Pair of chromosomes





CC CT TT

A test for Class?• Investigated the frequency of the C:C – types, C:T – types and T:T – types

in 148 unrelated Thoroughbreds• No difference between Group race winners and non-winners

Best race distance• Best race distance (BRD) distance of the highest grade of race won.

• Highly statistically significant (P = 4.85 x 10-8) association with BRD and genetic type when Group race winners were separated into short and long distance winners.

• The three genetic types were strongly associated with best race distance:

C:C – short-distanceC:T – middle-distanceT:T – middle/long-

distance

n Gr1 Gr2 Gr3 L179 80 25 46 28

n 5 - 6f 7 - 8f 9 - 10f 11 - 12f > 13f179 38 62 35 37 7

179 Group and Listed race winners

furlongs

Average Best Race Distance

furlongs

furlongs

furlongs

3-year-old race distances

furlongs

What is a C:C ?• Average best race distance – 6.5 f• 75 % 5 f winners are C:C• 65 % 6 f winners are C:C• 98 % of C:Cs win ≤ 8 f

• FAST, SPEEDY, SPRINT TYPE

≤ 8 f

What is a C:T ?• Average best race distance – 9.1 f• Almost 70 % C:Ts win ≥ 8 - 12 f • 50 % C:Ts win ≤ 8 f • 55 % of 12 f winners are C:T

• FAST, MIDDLE-DISTANCE TYPE

7 – 12 f

What is a T:T ?• Average best race distance – 11.1 f• > 90 % T:Ts win ≥ 8 f• > 80 % T:Ts win ≥ 10 f • No 5 f or 6 f winners are T:T

• EXHIBITS STAMINA

> 8 f

Optimum genetic profile for distance

furlongs

Quarter Horse – speed

Egyptian Arabian – stamina

Thoroughbred (Flat) – speed & stamina

There were no C:Cs among 32 NH winners in a prominent Irish NH yard

Thoroughbred (National Hunt) – stamina

Practical Applications1. Young stock (foals and yearlings)Make informed selection and sales decisions 2. Horses-in-trainingReduce operating costs and fine-tune racing strategy 3. BroodmaresOptimise breeding outcomes 4. StallionsPromote stallions potential

Young stock (foals and yearlings)

Make informed selection and sales decisions• Establish achievement of breeding goal• Identify speedy individuals and early two-year-olds• Identify middle-distance individuals with speed• Identify longer distance individuals with enhanced stamina

T T

C

T T T

C T

T T

C T

T T

T

T T T

T T

T T

T T

C T

C

T CT

C T

T T

C C

This is an example only

C C

C

T CT

C C

C T

C C


C C

C

C CC

C C

C C

C C


Horses-in-trainingReduce operating costs and fine-tune racing strategy• identify most precocious two-year olds• train and race for optimal racing distance

n no. runnerstotal no.

races won% winners to runners

% wins to runners

mean no. races per

runnertotal

earnings (£)mean

earnings (£)

no. earners >

£100kCC 40 21 17 52.4 81.0 4.1 511k 20k 1CT 67 32 26 56.3 81.3 3.6 1801k 36k 5TT 35 13 6 46.2 46.2 3.1 87k 5k 0

n = 142 two-year-olds in training with same trainer 2007 & 2008

• As two-year olds C:C and C:T horses outperform T:T horses• C:C and C:T horses earn up to 13-times more than T:T horses as two-

year-olds • C:C two-year-old colts have 7% more muscle mass than T:T two-year-old

colts

n no. runnerstotal no.

races won% winners to runners

% wins to runners

mean no. races per

runnertotal

earnings (£)mean

earnings (£)

no. earners >

£100kCT 22 12 18 75.0 150.0 3.8 1620k 73k 6TT 19 9 5 55.6 55.6 2.6 67k 3k 0

n = 41 two-year-olds in training with same trainer 2007 & 2008 by a single sire

BroodmaresOptimise breeding outcomes• focus on optimal breeding mares• select compatible stallions• mix and match mares and stallions to fine-tune breeding goals

Mating Progeny

C:C on C:C 100 % C:C

C:T on C:C 50% C:C 50 % C:T

T:T on C:C 100 % C:T

C:T on C:T 25 % C:C 50 % C:T 25 % T:T

C:T on T:T 50 % C:T 50 % T:T

T:T on T:T 100% T:T

Mix and match matings to suit breeding goal

StallionsPromote stallion potential• predict stamina index for young stallions (5 year advantage)• attract compatible mares to enhance stallion profile

Stallion Stamina Index

Who can use the Equinome Speed Gene Test?

• Bloodstock agents• Owners• Commercial breeders• Owner/breeders• Trainers• Pin-hookers

• The Equinome Speed Gene Test is available in Ireland and is also available to the global bloodstock industry

What are the benefits of the Equinome Speed Gene Test?

• Reduce risk

• Minimize operating costs

• Maximize return on investment

• Improve strike rate

Sample Submission• Provide 4-5 ml uncoaggulated blood sample (purple cap K2-EDTA tube)

per horse• Clearly label tube• Complete Sample Submission Form• Results returned within 3 weeks of receipt of sample

EQUINOME LaboratoriesUCD Veterinary Sciences CentreUniversity College Dublin Belfield, Dublin 4Ireland.tel: +353 (0)1 716 3775

www.equinome.com

Thanks to...• UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine• NovaUCD Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre• Science Foundation Ireland• Glebe House office and yard staff• Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

• Owners, breeders and trainers for willingly and generously providing the crucial samples for the research project.

"The introduction of genetic know-how to breeding will dramatically change the face of the bloodstock industry. We have begun and intend to continue to utilise this highly valuable tool to fine-tune decision making in our operation. This will fundamentally change the way we will have to think about breeding in the future.“

John O'Connor MRCVS, Managing Director, Ballylinch Stud, Ireland

"I found your findings fascinating, and highly credible in that they tally with what we have learnt during many years practical experience. Having this information available before the event is sure to provide users with an edge.“

Kirsten Rausing, Chairman, The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (Great Britain)

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Documents

Cracking the code: The Speed Gene Revealed Dr. Emmeline Hill Equinome Ltd., NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, Belfield, Dublin 4 Email: [email protected]