Koch New Safety Alliance Executive Director

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced March 12 that Steve Koch has been named executive director of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance. Koch will assume the new role April 6 and will be based out of the NTRA's main office in Lexington.

As head of the alliance's operations, Koch will oversee the accreditation program assuring the establishment and implementation of uniform standards for racetrack safety and integrity.

Koch (pronounced "Cook") has 15 years of industry experience, including the last seven spent as vice president of Thoroughbred racing for the Woodbine Entertainment Group. Koch is the alliance's second executive director. He succeeds founding executive director Mike Ziegler, who left the NTRA in January to become executive director of racing for Churchill Downs Inc.

"Steve has built his reputation on maintaining high standards for safety and integrity at Woodbine, an organization which has long been one of the industry standard-bearers in these areas," NTRA president and chief executive officer Alex Waldrop said in a statement.

Koch joined the team at Canada's leading racetrack operator in 2003 and has held the titles of director of racing, director of backstretch operations, manager of backstretch operations, and projects manager.

"I'm very proud to join an organization as highly regarded as the NTRA," Koch said. "Safety and integrity represent the most critical issues facing our sport, and I look forward to helping the industry adopt the highest standards possible for the benefit of horses, riders and the betting public."

There are 23 North American racetracks currently accredited by the Safety and Integrity Alliance, including Woodbine, which was one of the first tracks accredited in 2010, shortly after the alliance's formation a year earlier. Located in Toronto, Ontario, Woodbine has been reaccredited twice and, in its most recent review while under Koch's purview, received the highest "best practice" grading in nearly every primary area of focus.

Koch, who grew up at the Hancock family's Claiborne Farm near Paris, Ky., spent four years working for the Keeneland Association and He holds bachelor of science and master of science degrees from the University of Kentucky.

Information on the Alliance, including the Alliance Code of Standards, can be found online at NTRAalliance.com.