The conformation of horses can have a large effect on their movement and performance as working animals. This is particularly important for racehorses, as various aspects of body shape can increase or decrease racing performance. For example, steep shoulders are usually a hindrance for jumping, as well as more likely to be connected to lameness problems (Holstrom, 2003). Confirmation will have different effects depending on the type of race the horse is expected to run. A horse which is smaller and more compact will not perform as well in the same races as a larger horse, and the two animals are likely to do well over different styles of jump. For example, a horse with a lower, flatter jump is more likely to do well over hurdles than steeplechase fences, as the latter are larger and more likely to throw the horse off balance (Smith Thomas, 1974). Shoulder angle may prove to be a reliable indicator of success in performance horses, as sloping shoulders enables complete flexibility of the humerus, leading to longer strides and greater speed (Smith Thomas, 1974). Horses with shorter strides have been found to be more prone to lameness in the front legs as the shorter stride length causes the legs to be under more pressure from hitting the ground more frequently (Peham et al., 2001). It has been suggested that the length of the shoulder is also important (Schafer, 1981) and as it is linked to lung capacity -allowing for a deeper ribcage. The aim of this study was to compare conformation and performance in a number of racehorses.