Major court decision to rock breeding industry

HOW many times have you heard or said “I wish I had another one just like it”?

Well, for those who have made such a statement, or simply want to see past greats racing again, you may get the chance.

Following yesterday’s ground breaking court decision the breeding industry is set for a major overhaul.

Led by scientist from the Logistical Integral Equine Science and a key player within the industry’s breeding sector, the first step in racing a clone has been reached.

Although the breeder wishes to remain anonymous at this point, his establishment has been the nursery for countless Group One winners - which is obviously the motive for the support of cloning.

Listed as ‘Racings Future’ on court documents, scientists have successfully argued that cloning fits within the realms of breeding given the resultant foal is still “the offspring of the biological mother or father.”

“Given the terminology of the rules of breeding in the harness racing industry, a clone does in fact fit the spectrum of being the result of a stallion or mare’s genetic make-up,” Judge Joe King stated during his ruling.

“In fitting within the outlined breeding requirements, there is no direct rule relating to cloning or from preventing such practice to be carried out and allowing the product of the sire or dam from engaging in a racing career.”

While no clone has yet been ‘bred’, it is viable the first crop will arrive for the 2027 stud season.

Several guidelines where established during the judge’s ruling including:

• Only one clone can be produced from any given donor per breeding season.
• Clones can only be produced from a live specimen
• No donor, be it sire or dam, deemed to be beyond the reasonable breeding age can be cloned

Under the rules, cloning champions such as the late Popular Alm is not permitted, nor can an aged performer such as Sokyola, which at 30, is considered beyond a reasonable breeding age.

Affectively the stallion, gelding or mare to be cloned must be born after 2001 as the age of 24 has been set as the preferred end of a "reasonable breeding age".

For example, that age limit rules out mega star Blacks A Fake as a 2000 foal.

Authorities who oppose the judge’s decision have 28 days to lodge an appeal. If an appeal is lodged, the case will head straight to the Kangaroo Court for a final decision.

• A Fool