Thoroughbred Charities of America will honor Ken Freirich with the Allaire du Pont Leadership Award and the Delaware Horsemen's Assistance Fund with the Ellen and Herb Moelis Industry Service Award at the 36th Annual Stallion Season Live Auction and Celebration presented by The Goodman Family on Sunday, January 11, at 5:30 p.m. at Harper Hall in Lexington.
The Allaire du Pont Leadership Award is presented annually to an organization or individual whose philanthropic endeavors are consistent with TCA's mission. Past award winners include Brandon and Diannah Perry, H. Greg Goodman, Maggi Moss, Jen Roytz, LNJ Foxwoods, Dan Rosenberg, Barbara Banke, Bourbon Lane Stable, Graham and Anita Motion, Frank Stronach, Fasig-Tipton, Darley, Todd Pletcher, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, and Madeline Auerbach.
Ken Freirich is a racehorse owner, retired CEO/Entrepreneur, international philanthropist, and founder of a music group/record label focused on spreading kindness and making the world a better place. He has made philanthropy and advising nonprofit leadership in the thoroughbred industry, one of his top priorities. Ken is a board member of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and recently made a first of its kind, multi-year leadership gift to Breeders' Cup Charities to positively impact the industry's culture of giving in the short and long term. It is this generosity, leadership, advocacy, and desire to affect change that embodies the spirit of TCA's Allaire du Pont Leadership Award. While Ken's philanthropy spans the globe through dozens of charitable organizations, he has made a profound impact in one of our local racing communities, Saratoga Springs. At his alma mater, Skidmore college, he started and funded an Entrepreneurship and business plan competition sixteen years ago, which he endowed in 2020. In addition to his philanthropic endeavors, Freirich has enjoyed great success in racing in recent years, having been a partner in 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline and 2022 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Mo Donegal. He is currently a co-owner of the popular grade 1 winner Sandman with a minority stake as a West Point Thoroughbreds partner and is a named partner through West Point Thoroughbreds in the 2-year-colt Ewing. Ken's unwavering support of the industry through his advisory roles, philanthropy, his commitments to aftercare organizations, and his ongoing advocacy for greater support across the sport, exemplifies the Allaire du Pont Leadership Award.
The Ellen and Herb Moelis Industry Service Award is presented annually to an organization that works to uphold TCA's mission. Past award winners include Beyond the Wire, Second Stride, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Our Mims Retirement Haven, TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program, Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare, Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.), The Jockey Club's Thoroughbred Incentive Program, CANTER USA, Retired Racehorse Project, Belmont Child Care Association, Old Friends, and New York Race Track Chaplaincy.
The Delaware Horsemen's Assistance Fund is dedicated to providing essential benefits, aid, and relief to grooms, hot walkers, exercise riders, trainers, and other backstretch licensees at Delaware Park. For nearly six decades, DHAF has been a vital safety net for the horsemen and women who care for the sport's athletes every day. DHAF offers a wide range of critical services, including a wellness clinic for horsemen and their dependents, dental and vision care, prescription drug assistance, counseling services, a scholarship program, emergency financial aid, a Backstretch Boutique, and a food pantry. Each year, more than 850 horsemen rely on DHAF's programs for support and stability.
The TCA Stallion Season Auction opens with an online auction of stallion seasons at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 7, and continues through 4 p.m. EST on Friday, January 9. Over 150 seasons will be available on salering.net. A full list of seasons is available here.
Most of the seasons will sell during the online auction, however select seasons to Vekoma, Constitution, Yaupon, Patch Adams, Locked, Nyquist (with 2027 breed back), Liam's Map, and Girvin will be sold at the Live Auction & Celebration on Sunday, January 11. Bidders or their authorized agents may bid on select seasons by attending the event in-person or they may email ehalliwell@tca.org to register to bid by telephone. Non-season items including a John Deere ZTrak mower, a vacation condo in St. Thomas, Kentucky Oaks and Derby tickets, a day at the races at Keeneland, and equine art from artist Robert Clark will also be offered in the live auction. Tickets can be purchased here.
An online silent auction of non-season items including halters worn by Into Mischief, Disco Time, Beholder, Shedaresthedevil, Charge It, and more will be offered. A list of silent auction items is available here. More items will be added. The auction is sponsored by The Goodman Family, Equine Athlete Veterinary Services, Rocket Ship Racing, Peoples Bank, Coolmore America, Oberlander Financial Services, Ocala Breeders' Sales, Paul Miller Ford, Equine Medical Associates, Bourbon Lane Stable Retirement Fund, Grade One Investments, Top Line Sales, Equine Medical of Ocala, Pick View, Paul Sharp Stables, Niall Brennan Stables, Brookdale Farm, Ballyrankin Stud, Trouve Marketing, L.V. Harkness, Paulick Report, BloodHorse, Daily Racing Form, and Thoroughbred Daily News.
For further information regarding the 36th annual TCA Stallion Season Auction please visit tca.org or call (859) 276-4989.
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