Equinome Launches Checkmate To Reduce Inbreeding Risk In Thoroughbreds

Media Release - Wednesday September 25

Equinome has announced the launch of ‘Checkmate’ a new online tool that checks potential matings in real-time for genomic inbreeding risk. High levels of genomic inbreeding - the amount of double copy DNA in an individual - have recently been linked to mid-to-late term pregnancy loss and lower racing durability in Thoroughbreds. Checkmate is a world-first enabling breeders to reduce the risk of foal loss before a final breeding decision is made.

The Thoroughbred industry has become increasingly concerned with the range of potential negative health consequences from accelerating levels of inbreeding, both at an individual horse level and for the breed in general. Recently published research led by the Royal Veterinary College (UK) showed an association between higher genomic inbreeding levels and abortions and stillbirths. Pregnancy loss is a critical concern for breeders given the impact of a foal lost late in gestation on the health of the mare and the success of the farm.

Advertisement

High levels of genomic inbreeding have also been shown to significantly impact durability for racing. Published studies led by University College Dublin and Equinome show a clear link between genomic inbreeding and the likelihood of a Thoroughbred horse to ever race.

Checkmate provides real-time predictions of genomic inbreeding in a hypothetical foal by matching the DNA profile of a mare with the genetic profile of up to 10 stallions of the breeder’s choice. Using proprietary bioinformatics algorithms, it calculates the potential impact of each mating on a foal, returning a risk score and flagging high-risk matings.

“The goal with Checkmate is to help our clients protect the health of their mares, reduce the number of lost foals and see more healthy foals progress to the racecourse,” said Professor Emmeline Hill, Chief Science Officer. “The loss of a foal can have a considerable impact on any breeding operation, large or small, but by using genomics to assess inbreeding levels breeders can now reduce unnecessary risks.”

Stallion owners can also use Checkmate to check and manage mare allocation in advance of final breeding decisions. Reducing overall genomic inbreeding in a book of mares can significantly increase the number of live foals, improving both the health of the breed and stallion revenue.

“Using return of mares data, we looked at the relationship between genomic inbreeding and the production of a healthy foal from a mating. In 1000 matings for 28 stallions we found that had Checkmate been used to flag and avoid high risk matings, the percentage of live foals per stallion could be increased from 59% to 76%. Producing more foals would increase stud fee returns for stallions if Checkmate was applied to mare nominations” said Professor Hill.

Checkmate enables broodmare owners and stallion managers to preferentially plan matings with lower inbreeding risk, helping to protect the health of their own horses, increase the chances of a healthy foal and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Thoroughbred breed.

For more information about Checkmate or to schedule a demonstration, please visit www.equinomelabs.com

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
A Torryburn Gasp Before their Plain Bay Fellow Wins G1 No 4
The Torryburn stud team, watching as they always do when their ‘plain bay fellow’ races, would have had a gasp or two mid race but it ended up as easy as it comes with Voyage Bubble making it three Group I wins from his last three starts in the Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday February 23
Here is the full list of 73 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
How Do You Measure Success?
There are a lot of ways to measure the success of a stallion, but for elite breeders looking to produce serious racehorses it’s all about Black Type horses and this young stallion has really spread his wings.
One to Watch – Grafton
Kooringal Stud’s bargain blueblood sire Sandbar has been the most searched stallion on Breednet this year through hypothetical matings and that’s thanks to his unbeaten super exciting 2YO Shaggy and at Grafton on Monday he produced another scintillating debut winner.
Tasmanian Yearling Sale Nicks and Links
The Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale is on Monday so here’s some of the hot nicks and links you’ll need.
G1 Bonecrusher Stakes Next for Orchestral
Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood will head into next week’s Champions Day at Ellerslie with a trio of leading chances, with all three pleasing in their final hit-outs at the Auckland track on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday February 22
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Friday February 21
Here is the full list of 63 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Trelawney Stud Excited to Offer Shanwah Half-Brother at Inglis Easter
Shanwah’s victory in the Gr.2 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday was timely for his breeder’s Trelawney Stud, who are set to offer his half-brother at Inglis’ Australian Easter Yearling Sale in April.
World First G1 Success for Rachel King in Japan
Leading Australian jockey Rachel King is no stranger to Group I success, but achieved a first in Japan on Sunday in becoming the first woman to ride a G1 winner on the JRA circuit when steering Costa Nova to victory in the February Stakes (1600m) on the dirt.