New Genetic Research May Change Horse Racing

04:57

September 12, 2012

Market Share (2), driven by Tim Tetrick, heads to the finish line to win the Hambletonian horse race for trotters at Meadowlands Race Track in East Rutherford, N.J., in August. (AP)

New research from the University of Uppsala has revealed a genetic marker for a horse's gait, specifically if the animal can trot and pace well, which is not something all horses can do.

It's information some breeders and trainers say could change their business. The research comes after a so-called "speed gene" was identified a few years back, to determine which animals are most likely to win on the track.

How effective any of this genetic research will be in breeding winners still remains to be seen.

New York Times: Horses' Ability To Pace Is Written In DNA

Guest:

Ryan Goldberg, a freelancer who covers horse racing and wrote about the study for the New York Times, he Tweets @goldbergryan

This segment aired on September 12, 2012.