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Summary It is known that performance in Thoroughbred racing is not a single character. This study analysed horses' performances for a number of parameters which may prove useful to Thoroughbred breeders. Each horse, and subsequently each sire and dam, were given an estimate for their speed, stamina, best distance, and best track condition, and several different measures of peak performance, as well as average performance. Most of these parameters proved highly heritable, with the exception of best track condition. The most startling result was the almost 100% heritability calculated for best racing distance. If accurate estimates of values for highly heritable parameters such as these were available for all horses in a population, then breeders would be in a much better position to plan matings to obtain a horse which will compete well in a particular type of event. Given the large range of conditions in which Thoroughbreds compete, it would seem more sensible to aim at producing a horse with a specialty ability, rather than hoping to produce one which will excel in all conditions. |
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