What is conformation analysis?

Objective non-linear conformation analysis (FotoSelect®) allow assessment of horses’ racing potential on basis of proprietary algorithms and a unique database. The analysis allow Breeders, Buyers, Owners and Trainers to early identify if a horse has the prerequisites to perform at top level (thus aiding buy and sell decisions), and monitor its development during its career to optimise training and racing strategy.

The science and its application

FotoSelect® evaluates the horse’s bone structure and body proportions and calculate indices based on proprietary algorithms. The indices are a powerful way of determining the biomechanical qualifications of the horse and its future ability to perform at top level.

Example: A common characteristic among high performing horses is that their conformational and locomotive qualities allow them to move very efficiently, i.e. increasing their speed by taking longer strides rather than increasing the stride frequency (which is less efficient and adversely impair the horse’s ability to breath correctly). This holds particularly true in races that are 1 mile or longer, where a horse’s other strengths will not be able to fully compensate for an insufficient stride, and this is also the reason for the FotoSelect® tool being particularly accurate at these distances.

Thanks to a very extensive proprietary database (>20,000 analyses to date), we are able to accurately estimate the conformational qualities of a horse as early as at 7-8 months of age. This is on basis of certain growth projection algorithms and give a significant competitive edge to Buyers (at sales) as well as providing Breeders with an effective selective tool.

Due to its high sensitivity, FotoSelect® is also capable of identifying stress and soundness problems on a horse before it can be readily identified by the naked eye or by its performance. Appropriate adjustments can be made to training and nutrition at an early stage to pre-empt the risk of injury and/or abnormal growth which may adversely affect the horse’s performance.

FotoSelect® is able to identify ‘look-a-likes’, i.e. recognise horses in the database that are showing high degree of conformational similarities with the analysed horse. This help us to verify a high system score, but also allow us to filter our analyses results for the small number of horses with high potential where the test results may significantly deviate from what we normally would expect from a potential top performer.

In a retrospective study done in 2009, 90% of all 2- and 3-year old Gr1 winners on a mile or longer were rated Gr1 by FotoSelect®.

What we can achieve

Conformational analysis is able to provide substantial benefits for anyone that is looking to systematically target their efforts and resources towards horses that have the required characteristics to perform at a top level. Applicable throughout the lifecycle of a race horse, the FotoSelect® tool therefore forms an important part of our service offering to all our key clients, including Breeders, Buyers, as well as Trainers and Owners. As a tool, it has two principal applications:

• Selection - we are able to, with a very high degree of certainty, to tell whether a horse does (or does not) have the qualities to compete at Gr1 level and thereby aid critical purchase and sell decisions with big financial implications (for Breeders, Buyers and Owners). As the horse grows and develop, we continuously assess its progress with particular attention to any conformational deviations, and advice on its expected continued performance, which will allow you to plan your optimal exit (sale) strategy.

• Training and racing advisory - we are also able to help you in your training and racing strategy by early indicating surface and distance preferences of the horse, whilst the sensitivity of FotoSelect® makes it adept to identify conformational changes that indicate injury or abnormal growth. This will allow you to pre-empt before the horse’s performance is affected.

Although a dauntingly complex analytical instrument in its core, FotoSelect® is an easily applied assessment tool that can be readily integrated in your operations on a large scale. Please contact us to learn more on how we can tailor it to your needs.