Inbreeding

Inbreeding

The following treatise is the product of Dr. Rif’at Hussain, breeder of Thoroughbreds for several decades. His most acclaimed homebred was the exceptionally fast racer Shimatoree, whom he bred and raced in partnership with trainer Dick Dutrow (the elder). Dr. Hussain’s views on bloodlines and bloodstock are, therefore, of interest,…

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Pedigree Generation Position

Pedigree Generation Position

Statistically Beneficial Generation Location for Linebreeding When practicing linebreeding, what generation position of the pedigree is most effective? Almost all horses, bad performers as well as good, are linebred in some way. However, the extensive research that has been done into successful horses has shown that certain areas of the…

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Nicking: An Analysis

Nicking: An Analysis

Nicking, once considered a somewhat interesting theory worth no more than an occasional mention, has come to dominate Thoroughbred breeding to an extent dangerously out of proportion to whatever value it may offer. Not long ago the owner of a stakes-winning mare retiring from the track told us he called…

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Heritability of Performance

Heritability of Performance

Heritability of Performance Heritability – an explanation Factors including genetics, environment and random chance all contribute to the variation between individuals in their observable characteristics. The heritability of a trait within a population is the proportion of observable differences in a trait between individuals within a population that is due…

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