Australian racing’s first equine genetics research laboratory service will be established at the center of one of Australia’s premier Thoroughbred horse breeding districts, the Chair of Racing Australia, Frances Nelson QC, announced Oct. 25.

The Equine Genetics Research Centre will be located at Scone in New South Wales’s Hunter Valley.

“Locating these new laboratory facilities in the heart of one of Australia’s internationally recognized breeding regions makes perfect sense given the vital functions it will perform for the Australian Thoroughbred racing industry,” said Nelson. “The work of the Centre will be critical to the ongoing integrity of Australian racing. Its DNA testing underpins both the breeding and racing sectors of our sport.

“To ensure the Centre met world standards, Racing Australia worked with the International Society of Animal Genetics to successfully gain approval and institutional membership,” she added