The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has another priority for this year--replacing NTRA Group Purchasing president Joe Morris, who is leaving the post at the end of June.

Morris, 46, has been largely credited for the success of the organization’s group purchasing program, which grew from about $10 million in sales in 2002 to about $86 million in 2006. Morris took over as president in 2003.

“It will be one of our top priorities during this period of transition to replace him,” NTRA senior vice president of communications Keith Chamblin said April 16. “His last day is June 30, so we’ll have a period of transition. We’d like to move as quickly as possible to find a permanent replacement.”

Morris is leaving the NTRA to take the position of publisher of Thoroughbred Times Co. in Lexington.