The PRE Stud Book Shows Sustained Breed Growth in 2024

More than 12,500 new PRE Horses registered, with almost 3000 new stud farms itemized

Summary
In 2024, the PRE Stud Book (LG PRE ANCCE) recorded 12,615 new Purebred Spanish Horse foals in its Birth Register (6,228 colts and 6,387 fillies). Likewise, 2,775 new stud farms were also registered.  Thus, as of December 31, 2024, the breed’s census stood at 290,407 horses (143,728 mares and 146,679 stallions), from 50,188 active stud farms located in 71 countries. PRE Horses represent 70% of all equines registered in Spain. Of all stud farms registered, 39% are located abroad, mainly in the USA, Italy and the Netherlands, while the remaining 61% are located in Spain, with Andalusian leading the ranks (46%), followed by Madrid and Catalonia.

Moreover, 9,874 changes of ownership were processed. On the international scene, changes of ownership were concentrated in the United States, Mexico, Italy, and France.  Also, 5,403 Basic Assessments for Breeding Stock were carried out. It is noteworthy that authorized LG PRE ANCCE veterinarians took 27 trips abroad for assessments (revisions) to 20 countries, including Bahrain, the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, and Poland. This proves that the efforts undertaken in recent years to promote Purebred Spanish Horses the world over are paying off.

Quality Certification
The quality of All LG PRE ANCCE services is certified by UNE-EN ISO 9001:2015 standards. Year after year, the indexes for quality, efficiency and reliability increase. This has earned the PRE Stud Book office international recognition, thus making it a reference for other equine breeds, especially in Europe.   
 
The ANCCE Molecular Genetics Laboratory has the latest in equipment and performs genetic parentage analyses on all PRE horses seeking registration, wherever they are located in the world. This laboratory is one of the few in Spain that has Quality Certification based on UNE-EN ISO 9001:2015 Standards, and with ENAC accreditation based on UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards for “Genetic profile identification, identity and parentage verification using microsatellite analysis (Short tandem repeats or STRs) and AME marker by means of PCR and capillary electrophoresis” for equines. It is noteworthy that this is the first and only laboratory in Spain that is certified to “analyze the genetic markers involved in equine coat colors”. This ENAC-backed certification places the ANCCE analytical laboratory at the forefront of the field to guarantee that all services meet the highest standards. Not only does this endorse the excellence of the work carried out. It also results in greater efficiency and improved services for Purebred Spanish Horse (PRE) breeders the world over. Moreover, the ANCCE laboratory is authorized by the Andalusian Regional Government and Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with certification from by the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG). This body places the ANCCE laboratory in Ranking 1 for accuracy, with 100% of the samples coinciding in the external quality control tests carried out for equines, as well as other animal species.

Genetic Selection
In 2024 and from the standpoint of genetic selection, the LG PRE ANCCE Stud Book published the genetic values and indexes for 168,191 horses, which were genetically assessed, based on data collected at the various official performance tests. In terms of conformation aptitudes for Dressage, the genetic values for 37 different conformation traits and the Global Genetic Index (GGI) were also issued. In the case of Dressage, the genetic values for six (6) variables and the GGI for each horse were also published.
 
All in all, 128 horses earned one of the genetic categories and their names were listed in the 2024 PRE Breeding Stock Catalog: 78 horses earned the category as Young Recommended Breeding Stock, 29 horses were considered Improver Breeding Stock, while 21 horses earned the category as Elite Breeding Stock.

Genomics
ANCCE, within the framework of the innovation project GO EQUIGENOM, has concluded the design and manufacturing of and EQUIGENE array for genomic analysis. This advance includes all useful and available equine genomic information.  This facilitates not only parentage analysis, but also the diagnosis of diseases, malformations and hereditary defects. Also, it facilitates the analysis of genes linked to characteristics such as coat color, conformation, performance, behavior and other productive traits, such as fertility. At the same time, it will facilitate research and the pursuit for markers associated with other traits/diseases and develop genomic selection for the PRE as a breed.   

The results of these genomic analyses will provide breeders with a valuable source of information, as it will allow them to make informed decisions regarding their horses from an early age.  This will avoid economic loss while facilitating sooner and more effective genetic progress, and strengthening Purebred Spanish Horse (PRE) breed quality, which favors marketing both nationally and internationally.

Representation and International Cooperation
Purebred Spanish Horse Stud Book representatives have actively participated in a wide range of trade fairs and conventions, both in Spain and internationally (ICAR, EAAP, among others). They have also offered training courses for breeders and enthusiasts, in addition to holding meetings with authorized veterinarians and international collaborating associations to provided them with updated information and discuss new administrative procedures and legislative changes.  Likewise, contacts were maintained with several organizations and institutions, including Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, regional governments of Spain, MERAGEM research group, among others.  As members of several organizations, PRE Stud Book representatives attended a number of meetings with several organizations, including WBFSH (ANCCE is a member of the Scientific and Disciplinary Committees), WHIRDEC (World Horses Identification, Registration and Data Exchange Committee), RFEAGAS (Spain’s Royal Federation of Select Livestock), FEACC (Spanish Federation of Horse Breeders’ Associations), COPA-COGECA (European Farmers-European Agi-cooperatives) and ISAG (International Society for Animal Genetics) where ANCCE is a member of the Equine Genetics Committee and ISAG parentage tests.

The PRE Stud Book office and the ANCCE Molecular Genetics Laboratory welcomed several national and international bodies. These various guests were interested in having first-hand knowledge about the ANCCE management model to exchange knowledge and know-how; their goal was to discuss possible collaboration between institutions. During these visits, information was provided about the technical administration of each individual area of the laboratory and the main office.  Guests included the Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture Secretary of State for Agriculture and Food, as well as the Andalusian Regional Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. Other guests included the Andalusian Regional Minister for Energy and Mining, the President of ASAJA-Sevilla, together with representatives from Spain’s Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Agency) and the President of Caja Rural Savings & Loan Bank, which is one of Spain’s main banks. Representatives from the PRE Horse Breeders’ Association in the Czech Republic were also welcomed.   These visits are key when reinforcing cooperation efforts and to strengthen development and the breed’s worldwide projection.