17706 version 3

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Demonstrate knowledge of thoroughbreds and their breeding, and evaluate a thoroughbred's potential

Level / 4
Credits / 6

PurposePeople credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the development, spread, and influential strains of the thoroughbred; demonstrate knowledge of the thoroughbred breeding calendar; demonstrate knowledge of thoroughbred pedigrees, and evaluate horse’s potential; and demonstrate knowledge of the administration of the thoroughbred breeding industry.

Subfield / Equine
Domain / Equine Husbandry
Status / Registered
Status date / 26 November 2007
Date version published / 26 November 2007
Planned review date / 31 December 2011
Entry information / Open.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0018

This AMAP can be accessed at

Special notes

1The New Zealand Stud Book is issued by, and available from, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, POBox38386, WELLINGTON MAIL CENTRE, Telephone 04 576 6240 or from the official website The New Zealand Register of Non Studbook Mares is contained in its own section of the New Zealand Stud Book.

2The International Cataloguing Standards Committee is the international body representing racing countries whose duty is to oversee Group (Pattern) and Listed race designations throughout the world.

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Describe the development, spread, and influential strains of the thoroughbred.

Performance criteria

1.1The development of the thoroughbred as a breed is described in terms of the significance of the Byerley Turk, the Darley Arabian, and the Godolphin Arabian.

1.2The geographical spread of the thoroughbred is described in relation to its beginning in the United Kingdom in the eighteenth century, to present day.

1.3Influential strains of the thoroughbred are described in terms of their contribution to the development of the breed.

Rangemust include at least six influential strains from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Element 2

Demonstrate knowledge of the thoroughbred breeding calendar.

Performance criteria

2.1The breeding calendar is described in relation to stud activities and the times of the year they occur.

Rangemating, foaling, weaning.

2.2The breeding calendar is described in terms of its relevance to the thoroughbred industry, relationships between hemispheres, and the significance of climate.

2.3The breeding calendar is described in terms of the timing of yearling and other age-category sales and marketing in the thoroughbred industry.

Element 3

Demonstrate knowledge of thoroughbred pedigrees, and evaluate horse’s potential.

Performance criteria

3.1Thoroughbred pedigrees are described in terms of the details of horses and their close relatives, and the significance of black type.

Rangeage, brands, colour, sire details, dam details, performance of close relatives;

evidence is required for at least four pedigrees.

3.2Evaluation of horses’ pedigrees and conformation determines their potential as possible racing or breeding prospects.

Rangeevidence is required for at least four horses.

Element 4

Demonstrate knowledge of the administration of the thoroughbred breeding industry.

Performance criteria

4.1The horse registration requirements of thoroughbred breeding practitioners are described in terms of the New Zealand Stud Book.

Rangestud book mares, non stud book mares.

4.2Administration of the thoroughbred breeding industry is described in terms of the role of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, and New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.

4.3The significance of the International Cataloguing Standards Committee is described in relation to national and international race structures.

Please note

Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018