Summary of the Webpage
In this webpage I tried to answer the questions:
Is the outcome of a fatal on-track breakdown related to genetics?
Are the Triple Crown winners genetically superior compared to the "average" racers?
Is there a strong correlation between horse racing and genetics?
Many of these questions cannot be completely answered due to the lack of solid research done to analyze the complete equine genome. Based on the research I conducted to discover possible genes and the analysis I have completed on multiple bloodlines, I can conclude that genetics play an important role in the success, or breakdown, of Thoroughbred racers. I would like to acknowledge that due to the lack of sound and supported research, I can only suggest a correlation between the genetics of a racer and their outcome on the track; I will not conclude a "cause and effect" relationship.
Three specific genes have been identified that can relate to the success of a Thoroughbred. One is the myostatin gene, which is associated to certain levels of muscling that can determine if the horse would be a sprinter, a middle-distance runner or a stayer. Another possible gene has been found to relate to injuries of the superficial digital flexor tendon, which is a possible explanation for the numerous injuries during races. The last gene, which is perhaps the most interesting and mysterious, is the X- Factor, a sex-linked gene that can impact the heart size of a Thoroughbred. This gene can be traced to certain bloodlines, including that of War Admiral and Princequillo, who is the grand-sire of Secretariat. Both War Admiral and Secretariat are Triple Crown winners, suggesting the possibility of this gene having a true effect on racing ability. For more information please see the “Genetics” tab at the top of the webpage.
The bloodlines were very interesting to compare. To find more detailed explanations on the bloodlines please see under the “Bloodlines” tab and also under each category of bloodline. The strongest pattern seen is the prevalence of inbreeding within the horses that broke-down or mysteriously disappeared from the track, usually entering retirement due to an injury. Ruffian, Prairie Bayou, Johnny Dance, Timely Writer, Black Rhino, Union City, Battle of Hastings, Barbaro, Eight Belles, Archarcharch, Pine Island, Old Rosebud, Lamb Chop, Black Onyx, Big Brown, I’ll Have Another, Violence, Fleet Indian, Charismatic and Spicer Cub are all inbred. It is also interesting to note that there appear to be distinct bloodlines within the more successful horses, with their “founding sires” in the context of the bloodlines being Fair Play, Nasrullah, Teddy and Native Dancer. Within Fair Play’s bloodline, he sired an extremely successful horse, Man O’ War, who then sired a Triple Crown winner, War Admiral. Only two breakdowns, Lamb Chop and Timely Writer, exist within Fair Play’s bloodline. A bloodline that appears to be less successful in its descendants is Mr. Prospector’s, a “grandson” of Native Dancer. Some very famous breakdowns, including Archarcharch, Barbaro, Pine Island, Eight Belles, Battle of Hastings, Union City and Black Rhino are all descendants of Mr. Prospector. Mr. Prospector is also related to Black Onyx, Violence, Fleet Indian and I’ll Have Another, all of which are retired or currently listed as “active,” but without any races since their injury. Native Dancer seems to be part of a less successful bloodline, being related to only two Triple Crown winners, Whirlaway and Affirmed. Few patterns are especially noteworthy within the dam bloodlines, except for the six “On-Track Breakdown” horses being related to both Gold Digger and Geisha. Inbreeding is also common within the dams, though it is not nearly as prevalent; Gold Digger is the most common ancestor on the dam side appearing within 5 of the inbred horses. The inbreeding on the dam side only occurs within the “On-Track Breakdown” horses or “Mysterious Disappearances;" there is no inbreeding within the dam bloodlines for either the “Famous Racers” or Triple Crown winners.
While all the patterns and comparisons I discovered are not described in my summary, the strongest themes have been restated, concluding that there is evidence to suggest that breaking down on the track or winning the Triple Crown has genetic links. Unsoundness may be heritable (manly due to the negative effects of inbreeding), and specific genes could lead a horse to the Triple Crown. Horse racing is a sport of drugs, gambling and injuries, but when that one amazing horse finds his way to the finish wire, this sport of death and dismay becomes the Sport of Kings. This one sport represents the “best of times,” and the “worst of times,” but research is focused on future genetic discoveries that could change the sport as we know it. We may be able to prevent racing these athletes into their graves, and we may find another Triple Crown winner ready to race for the wire.
Is the outcome of a fatal on-track breakdown related to genetics?
Are the Triple Crown winners genetically superior compared to the "average" racers?
Is there a strong correlation between horse racing and genetics?
Many of these questions cannot be completely answered due to the lack of solid research done to analyze the complete equine genome. Based on the research I conducted to discover possible genes and the analysis I have completed on multiple bloodlines, I can conclude that genetics play an important role in the success, or breakdown, of Thoroughbred racers. I would like to acknowledge that due to the lack of sound and supported research, I can only suggest a correlation between the genetics of a racer and their outcome on the track; I will not conclude a "cause and effect" relationship.
Three specific genes have been identified that can relate to the success of a Thoroughbred. One is the myostatin gene, which is associated to certain levels of muscling that can determine if the horse would be a sprinter, a middle-distance runner or a stayer. Another possible gene has been found to relate to injuries of the superficial digital flexor tendon, which is a possible explanation for the numerous injuries during races. The last gene, which is perhaps the most interesting and mysterious, is the X- Factor, a sex-linked gene that can impact the heart size of a Thoroughbred. This gene can be traced to certain bloodlines, including that of War Admiral and Princequillo, who is the grand-sire of Secretariat. Both War Admiral and Secretariat are Triple Crown winners, suggesting the possibility of this gene having a true effect on racing ability. For more information please see the “Genetics” tab at the top of the webpage.
The bloodlines were very interesting to compare. To find more detailed explanations on the bloodlines please see under the “Bloodlines” tab and also under each category of bloodline. The strongest pattern seen is the prevalence of inbreeding within the horses that broke-down or mysteriously disappeared from the track, usually entering retirement due to an injury. Ruffian, Prairie Bayou, Johnny Dance, Timely Writer, Black Rhino, Union City, Battle of Hastings, Barbaro, Eight Belles, Archarcharch, Pine Island, Old Rosebud, Lamb Chop, Black Onyx, Big Brown, I’ll Have Another, Violence, Fleet Indian, Charismatic and Spicer Cub are all inbred. It is also interesting to note that there appear to be distinct bloodlines within the more successful horses, with their “founding sires” in the context of the bloodlines being Fair Play, Nasrullah, Teddy and Native Dancer. Within Fair Play’s bloodline, he sired an extremely successful horse, Man O’ War, who then sired a Triple Crown winner, War Admiral. Only two breakdowns, Lamb Chop and Timely Writer, exist within Fair Play’s bloodline. A bloodline that appears to be less successful in its descendants is Mr. Prospector’s, a “grandson” of Native Dancer. Some very famous breakdowns, including Archarcharch, Barbaro, Pine Island, Eight Belles, Battle of Hastings, Union City and Black Rhino are all descendants of Mr. Prospector. Mr. Prospector is also related to Black Onyx, Violence, Fleet Indian and I’ll Have Another, all of which are retired or currently listed as “active,” but without any races since their injury. Native Dancer seems to be part of a less successful bloodline, being related to only two Triple Crown winners, Whirlaway and Affirmed. Few patterns are especially noteworthy within the dam bloodlines, except for the six “On-Track Breakdown” horses being related to both Gold Digger and Geisha. Inbreeding is also common within the dams, though it is not nearly as prevalent; Gold Digger is the most common ancestor on the dam side appearing within 5 of the inbred horses. The inbreeding on the dam side only occurs within the “On-Track Breakdown” horses or “Mysterious Disappearances;" there is no inbreeding within the dam bloodlines for either the “Famous Racers” or Triple Crown winners.
While all the patterns and comparisons I discovered are not described in my summary, the strongest themes have been restated, concluding that there is evidence to suggest that breaking down on the track or winning the Triple Crown has genetic links. Unsoundness may be heritable (manly due to the negative effects of inbreeding), and specific genes could lead a horse to the Triple Crown. Horse racing is a sport of drugs, gambling and injuries, but when that one amazing horse finds his way to the finish wire, this sport of death and dismay becomes the Sport of Kings. This one sport represents the “best of times,” and the “worst of times,” but research is focused on future genetic discoveries that could change the sport as we know it. We may be able to prevent racing these athletes into their graves, and we may find another Triple Crown winner ready to race for the wire.