16 December 2010

Horsetalk.co.nz

Speed Gene Horse Test available in Australia

December 16, 2010

The speed gene test for thoroughbreds developed in Ireland has been launched in Australia.

Equinome officially launched its genetic-testing service to the Australian bloodstock industry in Sydney this week. The launch, at the residence of the Irish Consul General, Caitríona Ingoldsby, was organised with help from Enterprise Ireland and was attended by many of Australia's premier bloodstock breeders.

Dr Emmeline Hill, Equinome co-founder and chairman, delivered a presentation outlining the research, development and commercialisation of the speed gene test.

Unveiled earlier this year, the test can predict the optimum racing distance for an individual thoroughbred by analysing the DNA sequence of a gene related to muscle mass development.

Equinome, a University College Dublin spin-out company, was established in 2009 by Hill in partnership with Jim Bolger, the renowned Irish racehorse trainer and breeder.

Since the launch of the company, Equinome has already secured clients in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Britain, France and Singapore.

Hill says research is ongoing, using genetic technologies to identify and characterise molecular genetic variants underlying key performance and health traits in thoroughbreds. These will lead to the commercialisation of additional genetic tests in the near future, she said.

 

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(c) horsetalk.co.nz, 16 November 2010