All Thoroughbred Racehorses Share A Single Ancestor

From Secretariat to Seabiscuit, it turns out that all thoroughbred race horses were all related. They shared a single ancestor in the mid 17th century, whose "speed gene" was a genetic aberration:

Emmeline Hill of University College Dublin led a team that analyzed DNA in 593 horses from 22 modern breeds, as well as museum specimens from 12 historically famous stallions. Modern genetics have become sophisticated enough that they could tell, with considerable precision, what the horses had in common.

"The results show that the 'speed gene' entered the thoroughbred from a single founder, which was most likely a British mare about 300 years ago when local British horse types were the pre-eminent racing horses, prior to the formal foundation of the thoroughbred racehorse," said Hill in a prepared statement.

Link


Newest 2
Newest 2 Comments

Actually, all thoroughbreds are believed to be descended from three specific horses: the Darley Arabian, the Godolphin Arabian (also know as the Godolphin Barb) and the Byerley Turk.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Actually, all thorough bred horses are descended from three horses: Godolphin Arabian, also known as the Godolphin Barb; the Darley Arabian; and the Byerly Turk.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.




Email This Post to a Friend
"All Thoroughbred Racehorses Share A Single Ancestor"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More