The production focus of the New Zealand Thoroughbred breeding industry is the generation of successful racehorses which are marketed for sale as a yearling (Fennessy 2010). The return on investment is largely influenced by the ability to sell to international buyers and this, is in turn, influenced by the auction sales through which the yearling is marketed (Waldron et al. 2011). Selection into the different sales categories is dependent on the pedigree and physical appearance (mature height and correctness of conformation). The focus by purchasers on conformation, and limb conformation in particular, may be due to musculoskeletal injury accounting approximately one third of lost training days and the industry perception of an association between certain conformations and a predilection to injury (Perkins et al. 2005).
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