# Phenotypic Associations Between Linearly Scored Traits and Sport Horse Auction Sales Price in Ireland

## TL;DR

This study identifies key physical and movement traits that most influence the auction prices of young event horses in Ireland, helping breeders and buyers make better decisions.

## Contribution

The study reduces 37 traits to 8 key characteristics that strongly predict auction prices, offering a streamlined and objective evaluation method.

## Key findings

- Traits like head-neck connection, quality of legs, and scope significantly predict higher sales prices.
- Principal Component Analysis identified eight traits explaining 61.19% of variance in auction outcomes.
- Focusing on these traits can improve breeding and market value while supporting economic growth in the equine industry.

## Abstract

This study addressed the challenge of understanding which physical and movement features most influence the sales price of young event horses at public auctions in Ireland. It aims to help breeders and buyers make better decisions. By analysing data from 307 horses sold between 2022 and 2023, the researchers identified that only a small number of traits—such as the connection between the head and neck, the quality of the legs, the length of the horse’s stride when walking, balance and elasticity in movement, the length of the croup (the horse’s hindquarters), and especially the horse’s “scope” (its ability to jump well)—were strongly linked to higher prices. The study reduced the number of traits needed to assess a horse’s auction value from 37 to just 8 key characteristics, making the process more straightforward and objective. The findings show that focusing on these high-impact traits can help breeders improve the quality and market value of horses, while buyers can use this information to make more informed purchases. This approach could also lead to the development of new economic genetic evaluation models and bring greater transparency to the equine market, benefiting the wider industry by supporting economic growth.

This study examines the associations between linearly scored phenotypic traits and auction sales prices of young event horses in Ireland, aiming to identify key traits influencing market value. Data from 307 horses sold at public auctions (2022–2023) were analysed using regression analysis, binary optimisation, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Regression identified Head–neck Connection, Quality of Legs, Walk length of Stride, and Scope as highly significant predictors of sales price (p < 0.001), with Length of Croup, Trot Elasticity, Trot Balance, and Take-off Direction also significant (p < 0.05). Optimised regression reduced the number of relevant traits from 37 to 8, streamlining evaluation. PCA highlighted eight principal traits, including Scope, Elasticity, and Canter Impulsion, explaining 61.19% of variance in the first four components. These results demonstrate that specific conformation, movement, and athleticism traits significantly affect auction outcomes. The findings provide actionable insights for breeders and stakeholders, suggesting that targeted selection for high-impact traits could accelerate genetic progress and improve market returns. Furthermore, these traits could underpin the development of economic or buyer indices to enhance valuation accuracy and transparency, with potential application across equestrian disciplines to align breeding objectives with market demands.