Racing Performance of the Quarter Horse: Genetic Parameters, Trends and Correlation for Earnings, Best Time and Time Class

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sprint racing performance of Quarter Horses in Brazil. Estimating genetic parameters, trends and correlations were obtained by single- and two-trait analyses using Bayesian inference (earnings to 2 years of equestrian age, best time and time class at distanc...

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Main Authors: Ricardo Faria, António Vicente, Josineudson Silva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-06-01
Series:Animals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/12/2019
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author Ricardo Faria
António Vicente
Josineudson Silva
author_facet Ricardo Faria
António Vicente
Josineudson Silva
author_sort Ricardo Faria
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this study was to evaluate the sprint racing performance of Quarter Horses in Brazil. Estimating genetic parameters, trends and correlations were obtained by single- and two-trait analyses using Bayesian inference (earnings to 2 years of equestrian age, best time and time class at distances of 301 m and 402 m). The data comprised a period of 38 equestrian years (1978 to 2015) with 23,482 sprint race records from 5861 animals. The heritability estimates were of low to moderate magnitude, ranging from 0.10 to 0.37 (single-trait) and from 0.15 to 0.41 (two-traits), and the repeatability was 0.31 to 0.46. The additive, residual and phenotypic correlations between earnings to 2 years of equestrian age and the other traits (best time and time class in distances 301 m and 402 m) were high (−0.95, −0.96, 0.69 and 0.92), low (−0.29, −0.37, 0.26 and 0.27) and moderate (−0.41, −0.47, 0.37 and 0.47), respectively. There is a positive genetic trend for all traits considered. However, evaluation of the last 10 equestrian years (2006 to 2015) showed negative trends (genetic loss) and trends close to zero (genetic stagnation). The design of breeding programs using the earnings trait in conjunction with other racing performance traits can enhance changes in the genetic gains as a whole in speed-racing Quarter Horses. These findings suggest that the traits studied should be included in breeding selection programs for racing Quarter Horses.
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spelling doaj.art-18f24b95ec764788a660b70d8eabaafb2023-11-18T08:59:27ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-06-011312201910.3390/ani13122019Racing Performance of the Quarter Horse: Genetic Parameters, Trends and Correlation for Earnings, Best Time and Time ClassRicardo Faria0António Vicente1Josineudson Silva2Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, BrazilEscola Superior Agrária de Santarém (ESAS), Instituto Politécnico de Santarém, 2001-904 Santarém, PortugalFaculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Botucatu 18618-307, SP, BrazilThe aim of this study was to evaluate the sprint racing performance of Quarter Horses in Brazil. Estimating genetic parameters, trends and correlations were obtained by single- and two-trait analyses using Bayesian inference (earnings to 2 years of equestrian age, best time and time class at distances of 301 m and 402 m). The data comprised a period of 38 equestrian years (1978 to 2015) with 23,482 sprint race records from 5861 animals. The heritability estimates were of low to moderate magnitude, ranging from 0.10 to 0.37 (single-trait) and from 0.15 to 0.41 (two-traits), and the repeatability was 0.31 to 0.46. The additive, residual and phenotypic correlations between earnings to 2 years of equestrian age and the other traits (best time and time class in distances 301 m and 402 m) were high (−0.95, −0.96, 0.69 and 0.92), low (−0.29, −0.37, 0.26 and 0.27) and moderate (−0.41, −0.47, 0.37 and 0.47), respectively. There is a positive genetic trend for all traits considered. However, evaluation of the last 10 equestrian years (2006 to 2015) showed negative trends (genetic loss) and trends close to zero (genetic stagnation). The design of breeding programs using the earnings trait in conjunction with other racing performance traits can enhance changes in the genetic gains as a whole in speed-racing Quarter Horses. These findings suggest that the traits studied should be included in breeding selection programs for racing Quarter Horses.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/12/2019equineheritabilityracecourseracehorsespeed
spellingShingle Ricardo Faria
António Vicente
Josineudson Silva
Racing Performance of the Quarter Horse: Genetic Parameters, Trends and Correlation for Earnings, Best Time and Time Class
Animals
equine
heritability
racecourse
racehorse
speed
title Racing Performance of the Quarter Horse: Genetic Parameters, Trends and Correlation for Earnings, Best Time and Time Class
title_full Racing Performance of the Quarter Horse: Genetic Parameters, Trends and Correlation for Earnings, Best Time and Time Class
title_fullStr Racing Performance of the Quarter Horse: Genetic Parameters, Trends and Correlation for Earnings, Best Time and Time Class
title_full_unstemmed Racing Performance of the Quarter Horse: Genetic Parameters, Trends and Correlation for Earnings, Best Time and Time Class
title_short Racing Performance of the Quarter Horse: Genetic Parameters, Trends and Correlation for Earnings, Best Time and Time Class
title_sort racing performance of the quarter horse genetic parameters trends and correlation for earnings best time and time class
topic equine
heritability
racecourse
racehorse
speed
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/12/2019
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