It has been announced that the Woodbine Entertainment Group’s vice president of Thoroughbred racing, Stephen Koch, is leaving the company.

Earlier this week, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced that Koch has been named executive director of the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance. Koch will assume the new role April 6 and will be based out of the NTRA’s main office in his hometown of Lexington, Ky.

As head of the Alliance’s operations, Koch will oversee the industry’s only accreditation program assuring the establishment and implementation of uniform standards for racetrack safety and integrity.

“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,” said NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop.

Koch joined the team at Canada’s leading racetrack operator in 2003 and has held the titles 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,” said Koch. “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.”

Woodbine announced earlier this year that its president and CEO, Nick Eaves, will be leaving the company on March 31.

(With files from the NTRA)