24th January 2012
Research by a team of scientists suggests that a variant of the so-called speed gene found in top racehorses can be traced back to a single British mare living around 300 years ago.
That mare may have had a similar genetic make-up to today’s sturdy native ponies.
This fascinating study over hundreds of living horses DNA has revealed that the Shetland breed has the highest frequency of the C-type gene variant.
The study shines new light on the interplay between speed and stamina in thoroughbreds.
Read the full article here: http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/the-thoroughbred-speed-gene-300-years-in-the-running/