We’re proud to have collaborated with Greyhound Board of Great Britain on a major new genomics study.
At Zinto Labs & Equinome, our focus is on generating robust genomic insights that can directly inform long-term health, welfare, and sustainability.
Published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, this work represents the most comprehensive population genomic analysis of racing greyhounds in Great Britain to date.
By characterising genetic diversity and population structure, the study establishes a strong scientific foundation for evidence-based, welfare-oriented breeding strategies, supporting healthier outcomes across the full lifespan.
As highlighted by Emmeline Hill, Professor in Equine Genomics at University College Dublin, CSO of Zinto & Equinome, and lead scientist on the study:
“These genomic insights give us the clearest picture yet of the racing greyhound population in Great Britain. High inbreeding is a concern because it can increase the risk of negative health impacts. The key welfare opportunity is to now use modern genomic tools to manage diversity judiciously, preserving what makes greyhounds remarkable while reducing the likelihood of inadvertently concentrating harmful variation.”
“Our commitment at Zinto is to apply the latest science to develop practical tools that support healthier breeding and better lifetime outcomes for greyhounds, and other animals bred for sport”, continued Hill.
Mark Bird, CEO of GBGB, said:
“As the regulator of licensed racing, upholding the very highest standards of animal welfare is a priority for us, which is why it was so important for us to commission this research. All of our welfare policies and practices are based on robust scientific evidence and the findings from this research will be used to inform our guidance for breeders as well as our Rules of Racing so that we can continue to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all our greyhounds.”
Madeleine Campbell, Professor of Veterinary Ethics at University of Nottingham, Independent Director of GBGB, and co-author of the research paper said:
“This novel study provides a scientific evidence-base for welfare-oriented breeding decisions and is an important step in optimising the welfare of racing greyhounds across their lifetimes”.
This work demonstrates how applied genomics can deliver actionable, real-world impact.
Read the study →
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article/293/2069/20252552/481511/Genomic-diversity-and-selection-in-the-racing
