UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RACING LABORATORY BECOMES TENTH LABORATORY TO RECEIVE RMTC ACCREDITATION

NEWS RELEASE

 February 15, 2018

Contact: Hallie Roach Lewis (859) 759-4081

 

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RACING LABORATORY BECOMES TENTH LABORATORY

TO RECEIVE RMTC ACCREDITATION

 

The RMTC board granted Interim Accreditation to the University of Florida Racing Laboratory (UFRL) at its February 13 meeting at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, FL. The Florida laboratory is poised to become the 10^th racing testing laboratory to receive full RMTC Laboratory Accreditation. UFRL performs testing of Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Standardbred samples for the Florida Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering.

 

“The addition of the Florida Racing Laboratory marks a milestone in the RMTC accreditation program, as we are now very close to full RMTC accreditation of every horse racing testing laboratory in the United States,” said RMTC Executive Director Dr. Dionne Benson. “The addition of the Florida laboratory would not have been possible without support and assistance from The Stronach Group, the Florida HBPA, the Florida Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, the Florida Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering and the University of Florida Racing Laboratory’s leadership.”

 

Prior to the creation of the RMTC Accreditation Program, there were nearly 20 laboratories performing horse racing testing in the United States – many without any type of accreditation. Since that time, much of the laboratory work has been consolidated. Today, there are just 13 laboratories performing horse racing testing in the United States – 10 of which are now RMTC Accredited or Interim Accredited.

 

RMTC Accredited and Interim Accredited laboratories are now responsible for the testing of samples for 32 pari-mutuel racing jurisdictions in the U.S., including: AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TX, VA, WA, WV and WY.

 

RMTC Accredited Laboratories are required to participate in multiple rounds of quality assurance program testing prior to accreditation and each year after accreditation. The quality assurance program acts as a check on the laboratories to ensure they are able to detect and quantify substances of concern in horse racing.

 

The only racing jurisdictions that are not utilizing an RMTC Accredited or Interim Accredited laboratory are Louisiana (Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse), South Dakota (Quarter Horse) and Delaware (Harness only).

 

“RMTC Accreditation ensures that laboratories can consistently and reliably detect a wide variety of substances at low concentrations, which is a key to providing a racing product in the U.S. that is safe and fair,” explained RMTC Chair Alex Waldrop. “The progress of the RMTC Laboratory Accreditation Program underscores the effectiveness of the RMTC in promoting laboratory proficiency and uniformity across the racing industry.”

 

The RMTC consists of 23 racing industry stakeholders and organizations that represent Thoroughbred, Standardbred, American Quarter Horse and Arabian racing. The organization works to develop and promote uniform rules, policies and testing standards at the national level; coordinate research and educational programs that seek to ensure the integrity of racing and the health and welfare of racehorses and participants; and protect the interests of the racing public.

 

For additional information, visit the RMTC website at rmtcnet.com or contact Hallie Lewis, RMTC communications and development consultant, at (859) 759-4081.

 

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