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Journal of applied genetics2007; 48(2); 145-151; doi: 10.1007/BF03194672

Genetic evaluation of performance traits in Brazilian Quarter Horse.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for racing performance traits in Quarter Horses in Brazil. The data (provided by the Sorocaba Jockey Club) came from 3 Brazilian hippodromes in 1994-2003, with 11 875 observations of race time and 7775 of the speed index (SI), distributed in 2403 and 2169 races, respectively. The variance components were estimated by the MTGSAM program, under animal models including the random additive genetic effect, random permanent environmental effect, and the fixed effects of sex, age and race. Heritabilities for race time and the SI, for the 3 distances studied (301, 365 and 402 m), varied from 0.26 to 0.41 and from 0.14 to 0.19, respectively, whereas repeatabilities varied from 0.36 to 0.68 (time) and from 0.27 to 0.42 (SI) and the genetic correlations from 0.90 to 0.97 (time) and from 0.67 to 0.73 (SI).
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Publication Date: 2007-05-15 PubMed ID: 17495348DOI: 10.1007/BF03194672Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study undertakes a genetic evaluation of performance traits in Brazilian Quarter Horses, garnering data from Brazilian race tracks and using advanced statistical models to determine heritability, repeatability, and genetic correlations for race time and speed.

Research Objectives

This research aimed to understand the genetic underpinnings determining the racing performance of Quarter Horses in Brazil. The primary goals were to:

  • Estimate the genetic parameters impacting performance using data gathered from 1994 to 2003.
  • Understand the heritability and repeatability of racing time and speed index.

Data Collection

Data for the study was provided by the Sorocaba Jockey Club and was collected from three Brazilian race tracks over a decade-long period. The dataset included:

  • A total of 11,875 observations of race time.
  • A total of 7,775 observations of the speed index (SI).

Research Methodology

The researchers utilized the MTGSAM program to estimate variance components. Their model included a combination of numerous factors, such as:

  • Random additive genetic effect: Accounting for inherited traits that impact athletic performance.
  • Random permanent environmental effect: These are environmental influences that have a permanent effect on a horse’s performance.
  • The fixed effects of sex, age, and race: These are specific attributes tied to each horse that do not change over time.

Results

The results of this study showed:

  • Hheritabilities for race time and the SI ranged between 0.26 to 0.41 and 0.14 to 0.19, respectively.
  • Repeatabilities varied from 0.36 to 0.68 for time and 0.27 to 0.42 for speed index.
  • The genetic correlations ranged from 0.90 to 0.97 for time and 0.67 to 0.73 for speed index.

These findings suggest a substantial genetic influence on racing performance, with a high degree of heritability and repeatability for both time and speed index. It is indicative that these genetic factors significantly contribute to racing performance in Quarter Horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Corrêa MJ, da Mota MD. (2007). Genetic evaluation of performance traits in Brazilian Quarter Horse. J Appl Genet, 48(2), 145-151. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03194672

Publication

Journal of applied genetics
ISSN: 1234-1983
NlmUniqueID: 9514582
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 48
Issue: 2
Pages: 145-151

Researcher Affiliations

Corrêa, Márcio José Monteiro
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, C.P.560, CEP 18618-000, Botucatu/SP, Brazil.
da Mota, Marcilio Dias Silveira

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Brazil
    • Breeding
    • Female
    • Horses / genetics
    • Horses / physiology
    • Male
    • Models, Genetic
    • Running

    References

    This article includes 1 references
    1. Mota MD, Abrahão AR, Oliveira HN. Genetic and environmental parameters for racing time at different distances in Brazilian Thoroughbreds.. J Anim Breed Genet 2005 Dec;122(6):393-9.
      pubmed: 16274423doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2005.00551.xgoogle scholar: lookup

    Citations

    This article has been cited 4 times.
    1. Sharman P, Wilson AJ. Genetic improvement of speed across distance categories in thoroughbred racehorses in Great Britain. Heredity (Edinb) 2023 Jul;131(1):79-85.
      doi: 10.1038/s41437-023-00623-8pubmed: 37244934google scholar: lookup
    2. Kasper DT, Gandy RF. Ranking quarter horse sires via models of offspring performance. J Equine Sci 2018 Sep;29(3):67-74.
      doi: 10.1294/jes.29.67pubmed: 30250394google scholar: lookup
    3. Karlau A, Azcona F, Molina A, Trigo P, Sánchez-Serrano JP, Demyda-Peyrás S. Exploring the Genetic Link Between Coat Colour and Morphological Traits: The Case of Peruano de Paso Horse. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 17;15(18).
      doi: 10.3390/ani15182720pubmed: 41007966google scholar: lookup
    4. Faria R, Vicente A, Silva J. Racing Performance of the Quarter Horse: Genetic Parameters, Trends and Correlation for Earnings, Best Time and Time Class. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 17;13(12).
      doi: 10.3390/ani13122019pubmed: 37370529google scholar: lookup
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