Koch leaves Woodbine for position with NTRA

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Steve Koch will leave his role as vice president of Thoroughbred racing with Woodbine Entertainment Group to become the executive director of the Safety and Integrity Alliance for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the NTRA announced Thursday.

“I’m very proud to join an organization as highly regarded as the NTRA,” Koch said in a statement. “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.”

Koch takes over at the NTRA for Mike Ziegler, who was named Churchill Downs’s executive director of racing Jan. 16. Koch’s first day in the role will be April 6.

Koch’s departure will be the first of two by Woodbine executives this month, as president and chief executive Nick Eaves will serve his last day in his role March 31, ending a 20-year run with the company.

Koch, who has been with Woodbine since 2003, was named director of Thoroughbred racing in 2006 and has served as vice president of Thoroughbred racing since 2008.