Is DNA ever used in the breeding of Racehorses and when...

[fernhollow]

and how? Thank you.

[Everythingbutwings]

DNA samples are now collected along with bloodtyping for registration purposes.

I don't know if DNA is checked prior to breeding other than to look for homozygous/heterozygous traits among color breeders.

[fernhollow]

Do you know how expensive and how accurate it is? Thank you.

[Jolene]

Fernhollow-

the hair strand DNA test is part of your $200 Jockey Club registration fee. The Jockey Club no longer requires blood draws, just the hair strands from the mane.

[fernhollow]

And what exactly can they tell from this hair? Thank you.

[Jolene]

My understanding is that it can verify lineage. Someone else here might have a deeper understanding of it, however.

[Nessa]

It's not the hair itself but the material at the end of the hair. The root contains the dna needed for the verification tests.

[parlo]

I think there ist a good overview at the tbheritage-webside:

http://www.tbheritage.com/GeneticMarker ... lines.html