Japan-Based Lab Becomes Sixth IFHA Reference Laboratory

The Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Japan (LRC) is now the sixth fully appointed IFHA Reference Laboratory following the approval of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Reference Laboratory Appointment Committee (RLAC). The LRC was granted a provisional appointment as an IFHA Reference Laboratory in July of 2021, and its on-site assessment took place in June of 2022.

“I want to commend the Laboratory of Racing Chemistry for its hard work, diligence and patience in becoming an IFHA Reference Laboratory,” said Reference Laboratory Appointment Committee (RLAC) Chair Andrew Harding. “This application commenced prior to the onset of COVID-19, and LRC was markedly professional in responding to the challenges of this process that were additionally brought on by the pandemic. We congratulate them for becoming the sixth IFHA Reference Laboratory.”

Established in 1965, the LRC joins Racing Analytical Services Limited (Australia); Laboratoire Des Courses Hippiques (France); LGC Group, Sport & Specialised Analytical Services (Great Britain); the Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory (Hong Kong); and the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, University of California at Davis (USA) as IFHA Reference Laboratories.

The President of the LRC, Dr. Toru Anzai, said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the RLAC of the IFHA for its continuous efforts to assist the LRC in the application of an IFHA Reference Laboratory. The LRC's successful appointment as an IFHA Reference Laboratory was mainly attributed to its effective teamwork and professional expertise, most importantly tremendous support from the Japan Racing Association (JRA). After becoming the sixth IFHA Reference Laboratory, the LRC will certainly contribute more to the racing industry and work even more closely with the IFHA and the other five IFHA Reference Laboratories in the coming future.”