Racing Australia Annual Report 2018

20 | RACING AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2018 EQUINE GENETICS RESEARCH CENTRE REPORT The establishment of Australian racing’s first equine genetics laboratory service was announced in October 2017. The Racing Australia Equine Genetics Research Centre (EGRC) was officially opened by Mr John Messara AM and Mr Russell Balding AO on April 23, 2018 in Scone, NSW. THE TEAM I was delighted to be appointed as the inaugural Director of the EGRC in early 2108. I hold a PhD in equine genetics and previously taught Veterinary and Animal Science students at The University of Sydney Faculty of Veterinary Science. My research has primarily focused on racehorse genetics and revolves around gaining a better understanding of the factors that affect soundness and career length. The Manager, Dominique Dolgener, holds a Masters of Science and was a Field Application Specialist in genetics with Roche Diagnostics Australia. Two technical officers, Ms Emalyn Batley and Ms Taelor Mackenzie, round out the team of scientists performing the genetic testing at the Centre. Ms Mackenzie is a Scone local who studied Animal and Veterinary Bioscience at the University of Queensland. Ms Batley holds an honours degree in Biotechnology and Medical Research and relocated from Victoria to Scone for this position. THE CORE BUSINESS The EGRC will perform parentage verification and DNA profiling for the Australian Stud Book and approximately 30 other breed associations. The Centre will also initially offer DNA testing for 11 genetic diseases and 18 other phenotypic traits, many of these related to colours and markings. These include three new tests that were not previously offered. Projected numbers of tests processed annually * Australian Thoroughbreds – parentage verification 12,700 Imported Thoroughbreds – DNA profiled to confirm identity 1,500 Non-Thoroughbred – parentage verification 5,500 Non-Thoroughbred – diagnostic testing 1,600 Total DNA tests performed annually 21,300 * Figures based on previous numbers processed RACING AUSTRALIA HAS ESTABLISHED THE EQUINE GENETICS RESEARCH CENTRE LOCATED IN SCONE NSW IN THE CENTRE OF ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER THOROUGHBRED HORSE BREEDING DISTRICTS. Dr Natasha Hamilton, EGRC Director THE RESEARCH The Director of the EGRC is a contributing member of the International Equine Genome Mapping Workshop, a group of international scientists that collaborate to develop resources and knowledge to support horse genetics research. She currently has projects investigating: • leading a world first program to develop tests to detect gene doping in racehorses. • the discovery of areas of the genome under selection in Thoroughbreds – what makes Thoroughbreds different to other breeds? • the association of inbreeding levels with declines in performance • novel genetic markers for coat colour patterns • the genetic cause of a congenital heart defect in Arabian horses In 2018, the EGRC participated in the International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians (ICRAV) in Dubai, March 2018; the Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Seoul, May 2018 and the International Equine Genetics Workshop in Pavia in September 2018. The Director is also a member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities Gene Doping Control Subcommittee. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION The Centre can offer advice on how to avoid breeding horses affected by genetic diseases. It will hold educational seminars to all interested parties including a general information evening for Thoroughbred breeders early in the new year and will host its first international guest speakers for an all-breeds forum in March 2019. Dr. Natasha Hamilton Equine Genetics Research Centre Director