The racehorse Native Dancer, who won the Preakness and Belmont in 1953, was so successful after being put out to stud that thousands of thoroughbreds share him as a common ancestor. But since two of those thoroughbreds were Barbaro and Eight Belles, some horse racing observers are wondering whether Native Dancer is passing down a genetic predisposition to break down.
Jon Weinbach writes in the Wall Street Journal:
Both Barbaro and Eight Belles were descendants of Native Dancer, a 1950s thoroughbred whose racing career was cut short by leg injuries. This bloodline has an excellent track record of producing champions but has been cited by breeders and equine experts for producing fragile horses. "The breed is getting weaker because we're breeding all the same relatives," says Kinney Hounshell, a bloodstock agent in Lexington. "Nobody is thinking about the ultimate price we're going to pay."Genetics is complex science, and it would be far too simplistic to pin the injuries of Barbaro and Eight Belles on genes inherited from Native Dancer. There is no question, however, that breeders have a financial incentive to favor horses who can win races at a young age over horses who can have long and healthy lives. And for all the talk of reforming horse racing, I'm not sure anything can be done about that.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-10-2008 @ 12:53PM
danielle said...
In the 2003 Kentucky Derby every horse in the twenty horse field had Native Dancer in their pedigree. Guess what? No one broke down.
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5-10-2008 @ 2:57PM
susan said...
That is possible, but I think we should keep it simple. Horse racing has alot to look at now. This horse did not die in vain. Her death is going to change the face of horse racing for the better. I think we should back off the owner, trainer & jockey Saez. I truly believe they are grieving. I have cried for one week. I hope the owner, etc., go to YouTube & see HUNDREDS of tributes to Eight Belles-there is more caring, than bashing. Blood lines, is one of the issues that needs to be looked at. Thank you-I am a trained recreation rider of horses, & my late Uncle owned race horse in Chicago
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5-11-2008 @ 12:56AM
George B Vieto said...
Not all of the horses that have family tree relations from Native Dancer are fragile. The reform of horse racing will not change due to the fact that if it ain't broke don't fix it and why kill a goose that lays golden eggs industry.
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5-16-2008 @ 10:55PM
Joan Cornett said...
Why can't it some day be profitable for a breeder to breed for strong, resilient horses that have a long and healthy racing career and life? Isn't that how most of the race horses were like long ago, even as recently as 30 years ago?
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5-18-2008 @ 11:01PM
Laura said...
Throughbreds are one of the last breeds besides Arabians that are very carefully bred they will not accept artificial insemenation and now require DNA and blood type tests to confirm parentage.They cannot race or be registered without these requirements. In quarter horses, if they have the Stallion Impressive in their background, they are tested for HYPP and if tested positive do not get registered and are not acceptable for breeding as this is a debilitating disease and can be passed on. Most TB's nowadays will be related several generations back that is not to blame. weak bones are not usually genetic but early breaking and training and the "power feeding"that happens to get these youngsters started. TB's are started too quick which will break them down too soon. Long story short Tb's ARE resilient and I wouldn't own anything but ....they just need to be started a little later as to insure their long term usage for the racetrack as well as their jobs after their career is done
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