This follows news last week that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) have opened an investigation into the UK Laboratory's performance, and that the agencies were cooperating with the university's own investigation into the matter.

The university is also conducting an ongoing personnel investigation relating to former lab director Scott Stanley and that “Dr. Stanley was not permitted to be in direct communication with the other staff at the laboratory,” HISA and HIWU wrote in a joint statement last week.

According to Stanley, he stepped down as the UK Lab's director at the beginning of March and has been reassigned within the university. Blood-Horse reported that he had been “removed” from the position.

HIWU stopped sending samples to the UK Lab on Feb. 16. Prior to that, the laboratory had been one of six drug testing facilities used under HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) program. According to the RMTC's Hardy, his organization alerted the University of Kentucky to the RMTC's laboratory accreditation suspension on Mar. 11.

When asked what specific developments had prompted the RMTC to take this action, Hardy pointed to the RMTC's laboratory code of standards, section 2.4.9.2.

The document outlines 10 possible considerations that may prompt the RMTC to suspend its accreditation of a laboratory:

• Accreditation suspensions by international lab oversight bodies.
• Failure to take appropriate corrective action after unsatisfactory performance either in routine Analytical Testing or in proficiency testing.
• Failure to comply with any of the requirements or standards listed in an international laboratory accreditation cooperation document.
• Failure to cooperate with the RMTC or the relevant State Horse Racing Authority in providing requested documentation.
• Lack of compliance with the RMTC Laboratory Code of Ethics.
• Major changes in key staff without proper and timely notification to RMTC.
• Failure to cooperate in any RMTC enquiry in relation to the activities of the Laboratory.
• Non-compliances identified from laboratory on-site assessments.
• Loss of financial and administrative support jeopardizing the quality and/or viability of the Laboratory.
• Material breach of contractual obligation to a State Horse Racing Authority.

Hardy declined to elaborate on the nature and severity of the issues identified by the RMTC with operations at the UK Lab. Hardy wrote, however, that “the Horserace Testing Laboratory Committee (HTLC) will, upon receipt, review the laboratory's response and associated corrective actions. Accreditation will not be restored until the laboratory is in full compliance with the Code.”

According to the RMTC's code of standards, the “period and terms” of the suspension shall be proportionate to the “seriousness of the non-compliance(s) or lack of performance and the need to ensure accurate and reliable drug testing of Horses.”

The RMTC can suspend accreditation for a period of up to six months, according to the code of standards, during which time any problems must be “corrected, documented and reported” to the RMTC at least six weeks before the end of the suspension period.

“Delay in submitting the proper corrective actions may lead to an extension of the Suspension period,” the code of standards explains. If the problems are not rectified, laboratory accreditation will be revoked, the document states, “unless an extension, not to exceed two (2) months, is granted by the RMTC.”

In a brief phone interview with the TDN, Hardy added that the RMTC has been “very pleased with the response and communication with executive staff at the University of Kentucky regarding the laboratory and have been assured that they are proactively seeking to redeem those requirements.”

Since Feb. 16, all samples collected in Kentucky and Florida that previously would have been analyzed by the UK Lab have been redirected to Industrial Laboratories in Colorado.

The TDN has reached out to the University of Kentucky for comment. The story will be updated as necessary.

According to a HIWU spokesperson, both agencies were “not party” to the RMTC's decision to suspend its accreditation of the UK Lab.

“Pending implementation of the HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory (HEAL) accreditation standards, a laboratory must be accredited by the RMTC to be eligible for consideration as one of the ADMC Program labs,” the HIWU spokesperson wrote.

Lab accreditation is only one prong of the RMTC, which is also involved in the research, education and advocacy of horse racing's anti-doping and medication control programs.

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“Congratulations to the 86 accredited organizations for receiving grants from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance this year,” said TAA Accreditation and Grants Manager Janice Towles. “These organizations exemplify exceptional equine care, and we take great pride in supporting their efforts in retraining, retiring, and rehoming Thoroughbreds. As they persist in their tireless care for retired racehorses, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's essential funding serves as a valuable resource, helping them to carry out their important work.”

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Forty-two Thoroughbred aftercare organizations have been awarded accreditation for 2022, including one that received accreditation for the first time, according to a press release from the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The TAA, the only accrediting body in Thoroughbred aftercare, now has a network of 81 organizations with approximately 180 facilities in North America.

“Congratulations to the 42 organizations who earned their Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accreditation,” said TAA President Jeffrey Bloom. “Earning TAA accreditation is a true testament to an organization's dedication to providing the best care possible for our Thoroughbreds.

“TAA-accreditation proves to the racing industry that its Thoroughbreds are going to the best possible aftercare organizations in North America, and although this stamp of approval is reassuring, funding is still a concern to assist these groups and the thousands of retired racehorses in their care. We encourage everyone to support the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and its 81 accredited charities.”

The 42 organizations earning accreditation this year are: After the Races, Bright Futures Farm, Inc., CANTER Kentucky, CANTER Michigan, Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare, Center for Racehorse Retraining, Central Kentucky Riding For Hope, Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Down The Stretch Ranch, Equestrian Inc., Equine Advocates Inc., Equine Rescue & Adoption Foundation, Final Furlong, Inc., Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program, Friends of Ferdinand, Inc., Galloping Out, Harmony and Hope Horse Haven, Inc., Healing Arenas, Inc., Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds, Hope's Legacy Equine Rescue, Illinois Equine Humane Center, Lollypop Farm, Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement, Inc., NEER North, Our Mims Retirement Haven, Inc., Out Side In, Inc., R.A.C.E. Fund, Inc., Remember Me Rescue, RVR Horse Rescue, Sandia Creek Ranch Auxiliary Foundation, Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement, Inc., Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Inc., Second Stride, Inc, Square Peg Foundation, The Foxie G Foundation, The Susan S. Donaldson Foundation, This Old Horse, Inc., Thoroughbred Athletes, Inc., Tranquility Farm–The Harry A. Biszantz Memorial Center for Thoroughbred Retirement, TRRAC Thoroughbred Retirement, Rehabilitation, and Careers, War Horses at Rose Bower.

The full list of 81 organizations, information about the accreditation process, and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's Code of Standards can be found on ThoroughbredAftercare.org.

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Thoroughbred aftercare nonprofits interested in applying must complete the application by the closing date of April 1 at 6 p.m. ET. Since TAA accreditation is only granted for a specific period of time, organizations with accreditation status ending in 2021 that want to remain accredited need to re-apply.

Accreditation status is determined after a complete review of five areas of an aftercare organization: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. Organizations passing the application review will be subject to site inspections of all facilities housing Thoroughbreds.

Organizations that receive accreditation are eligible to receive financial grants from the TAA, but prior grants awarded are no indication of potential future awards. In 2021 the TAA awarded $3.7 million to accredited organizations as grants earmarked specifically for equine care, totaling more than $24.5 million awarded since 2012.

Any organization interested in applying for TAA accreditation must fulfill the following five minimum requirements:

1. Organization must have a current status as a 501(c)(3) federal not-for-profit (U.S.) or must be a registered charity within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
2. Organization must have been in operation for at least three years. The TAA will confirm operation information, including with the secretary of state or provincial business registry.
3. At time of application, organization must either (1) currently exclusively own and provide care for a minimum of 5 registered Thoroughbreds, or (2) currently exclusively own and provide care for at least 3-4 registered Thoroughbreds AND must have exclusively owned and provided care for at least 10 registered Thoroughbreds over the previous 12 months. Registered Thoroughbreds leased by the organization or owned by third parties at the same facility should not be included.
4. Organization must have a written euthanasia policy consistent with the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
5. Organization, or a principal of the organization or individual directly related to the organization, shall not have any current legal proceedings pending against them which adversely impact the aftercare operations, the organization's standards of care, or the 501(c)(3) status of the organization.

For more information on the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accreditation process, please visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.

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Since inception in 2012, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has now awarded more than $24.5 million in grants to accredited Thoroughbred aftercare organizations.

“The ability to grant $3.7 million dollars towards the care of retired racehorses is a tremendous achievement,” said TAA President Jimmy Bell. “As the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance continues to grow to match the needs of our industry, monetary contributions by participants at every level are paramount to the success of our sport.”

“Every donation to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance helps support thousands of retired Thoroughbreds and we are so grateful to our stakeholders, reoccurring and new, who support our network of 82 accredited organizations,” said TAA Funding and Events Manager Emily Scandore.

Earmarked specifically for equine care, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance grants have helped accredited organizations assist more than 13,700 Thoroughbreds at approximately 180 facilities across North America.

Accredited organizations undergo a thorough application and inspection process prior to accreditation being awarded to ensure they meet the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's Code of Standards, which covers five key areas: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. Facility inspections are conducted at all facilities housing Thoroughbreds for each organization. Ongoing updates and re-inspections are required of all organizations as a condition of accreditation.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is supported by members from every aspect of the Thoroughbred industry, including owners, breeders, trainers, stallion farms, racetracks, sales companies, horsemen's groups, foundations, veterinarians, horseplayers, racing fans, wagering technology companies, and many others.

About the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

Based in Lexington, Ky., the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, rehome, and retire Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders' Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since inception in 2012, more than $24.5 million has been granted to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently 82 aftercare organizations supporting approximately 180 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.

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Thoroughbred aftercare nonprofits interested in applying must complete the application by the closing date of April 1 at 6 p.m. EST. Since TAA accreditation is only granted for a specific period of time, organizations with accreditation status ending in 2021 that want to remain accredited need to re-apply.

Accreditation status is determined after a complete review of five areas of an aftercare organization: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. Organizations passing the application review will be subject to site inspections of all facilities housing Thoroughbreds.

Organizations that receive accreditation are eligible to receive financial grants from the TAA, but prior grants awarded are no indication of potential future awards. In 2020 the TAA awarded $3.5 million to accredited organizations as grants earmarked specifically for equine care, totaling more than $20.7 million awarded since 2012.

Any organization interested in applying for TAA accreditation must fulfill the following five minimum requirements:

1. Organization must have a current status as a 501(c)(3) federal not-for-profit (U.S.) or must be a registered charity within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
2. Organization must have been in operation for at least three years. The TAA will confirm operation information, including with the secretary of state or provincial business registry.
3.  At time of application, organization must either (1) currently exclusively own and provide care for a minimum of five (5) registered Thoroughbreds, or (2) currently exclusively own and provide care for at least 3-4 registered Thoroughbreds AND must have exclusively owned and provided care for at least 10 registered Thoroughbreds over the previous 12 months. Registered Thoroughbreds leased by the organization or owned by third parties at the same facility should not be included.
4. Organization must have a written euthanasia policy consistent with the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
5. Organization, or a principal of the organization or individual directly related to the organization, shall not have any current legal proceedings pending against them which adversely impact the aftercare operations, the organization's standards of care, or the 501(c)(3) status of the organization.

For more information on the TAA accreditation process, please visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.

The post 2021 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Accreditation Application Now Available appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Racing stewards, judges and officials from 17 states, Abu Dhabi, Canada, and Trinidad/Tobago attended the event that covered topics ranging from media and crisis communication training to racehorse aftercare awareness to the Horse Racing Integrity & Safety Act of 2020. CE courses are designed to bring officials together to discuss both the cutting edge industry issues as well as those that face them on a daily basis.

All accredited racing stewards, judges and officials are required to attend 16 hours of continuing education programming every two years to maintain their good standing.

To become accredited, one must attend the initial 60-hour educational seminar, pass a suite of exams, and possess the required racing industry experience.

The 60-hour accreditation seminar that was postponed during the summer of 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions, has been rescheduled for the summer of 2021 and will be hosted by the University of Louisville. Exact dates and methods of delivery will be announced as they become available.

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