British DNA Testing Moving to Weatherbys' Irish Lab

The processing of all British Thoroughbred genetic samples will be moved from Great Britain's Animal Health Trust to Weatherbys Scientific Laboratory in Ireland for the remainder of the 2020 breeding season, according to an April 22 announcement from Weatherbys.

This decision was the result of AHT being unable to give assurances it can continue to process DNA samples. April and May is when the greatest volume of samples are submitted, and to delay a decision regarding their processing could have a detrimental impact on registration, passport production, horse identification, and even trade, according to Weatherbys. The arrangement will be reviewed at the end of the year.

AHT announced March 22 it faced imminent closure because of a period of dire financial constraints related to the global coronavirus pandemic.

"The trustees and executive committee are continuing to seek out emergency funding and a final decision regarding the long-term future of the Trust will now be made towards the end of April 2020," read the March statement. "Following recent guidance from the UK government on tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and in order to make use of the government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the AHT has closed its offices until further notice."

AHT, Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, and Weatherbys were all involved in the decision to transfer all testing to Weatherbys Scientific Laboratory. Veterinary practices have been advised of the change in procedure, and Weatherbys will be responsible for ensuring delivery of samples to the Irish laboratory.

Weatherbys Scientific Laboratory has provided animal parentage testing services since 1985. In 1998, it introduced DNA technology that superseded blood-typing and provided further opportunities to confirm pedigrees of other animal species such as cattle, sheep, dogs, and cats. The laboratory now completes over 50,000 parentage verification tests annually, including all Irish-bred Thoroughbreds.

"We have worked with the AHT for many years, but it has become apparent in the past few weeks that there is uncertainty over their ability to continue to process DNA samples," TBA chairman Julian Richmond-Watson said. "British breeders need their foals to be registered and the respective passports issued without delay. There are many early foals that need to be sampled and microchipped as soon as possible, for health, welfare, and traceability reasons. Breeders should liaise with their veterinary surgeons regarding this work.

"We are therefore pleased that through working with Weatherbys, we have been able to redirect samples via Weatherbys to their laboratory in Ireland. The laboratory is starting with samples that have already been taken but are also ready for fresh samples. We have been assured of the integrity and the ability of this laboratory to process our samples, and so I would like to thank Weatherbys for facilitating this process."

Weatherbys chief executive Russell Ferris said: "The AHT's relationship with Weatherbys goes back very many years, and they have provided both us and Thoroughbred breeders with an outstanding level of service when processing DNA samples for foal registration. However, our first priority has to be around the needs of Thoroughbred breeders and ensuring that they are looked after at this the busiest time of year for foaling and the registration of foals. The processing of DNA samples is a central part of the registration procedure, and having confidence around this element of work is critical at a time when there is already so much uncertainty."