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Research Trends and Emerging Frontiers in Racehorse Genetics: A Bibliometric Analysis
by
, and
Qiuping Huang
1, 
Xinkui Yao
1,2,
Xue Yang
3,4,
Tianwei Wang
3,4,
Xinlong Li
1,
Dehaxi Shan
1,
Yi Su
1 and
Jianwen Wang
1,2,* 1
College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
2
Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Equine Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Urumqi 830052, China
3
Sichuan Animal Science Academy, Chengdu 610066, China
4
Animal Genetic Breeding and Reproduction Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610066, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2026, 16(11), 1705; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16111705
Submission received: 11 May 2026
/
Accepted: 1 June 2026
/
Published: 2 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Genetics and Genomics)
Simple Summary
Racehorse genetics has become an important research area for improving athletic performance and maintaining genetic diversity. However, the global development patterns and emerging research frontiers remain unclear. This study applied bibliometric methods to analyze racehorse genetic research from 2011 to 2025. The results revealed a rapid growth in publications, strong international collaboration networks, and a clear shift from single-gene studies to genome-wide and multi-omics approaches. Emerging topics such as gene doping, homozygosity, and risk factors indicate increasing attention to genetic safety and sustainable breeding. These findings provide insights for future research and precision breeding strategies in racehorses.
Abstract
The global horse racing industry relies heavily on elite breeding. Therefore, a molecular understanding of athletic traits is crucial for the industry’s advancement. This study utilized Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 869 publications in the Web of Science Core Collection (2011–2025), decoding the academic landscape and evolutionary trajectory of equine genetics. The results indicate a significant upward trend in academic output since 2019, with the United States, South Korea, and the United Kingdom emerging as the primary contributors. Institutions such as the University of California, Davis, and University College Dublin serve as key hubs within a highly structured global collaborative network. Analysis of keyword co-occurrence and bursts reveals a distinct paradigm shift: research has evolved from early single-gene identification (e.g., MSTN) to large-scale genome-wide scans, and more recently to functional genomics and bioethical issues. Contemporary research frontiers increasingly focus on “gene doping” “homozygosity” and “risk factors” signaling that horse genetics is shifting from performance-oriented selection toward a comprehensive framework that integrates phenotypes, health, and genetic diversity. This study provides researchers with a strategic roadmap to help them align with emerging trends and foster international collaboration in equine genomic selection.
