Freirich Donates Luxury Derby Package to Benefit Thoroughbred Aftercare Charities

A front-row table in Churchill Downs' Woodford Reserve Paddock Club that Lexington racehorse owner Ken Freirich cannot use this May has become one of the most compelling fundraising lots of Derby season, with an online auction now open through April 17 to benefit Thoroughbred Charities of America and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

Freirich announced the donation on April 7, structuring the auction so that proceeds are split evenly between the two leading aftercare organizations. His motivation was direct. "When I realized I would not be able to attend the Derby this year, I instantly knew what I wanted to do with my table … raise awareness and money for Thoroughbred aftercare," he said.

The package is built around a reserved outdoor table for four in the Woodford Reserve Paddock Club for both Kentucky Oaks Day and Kentucky Derby Day, May 1 and 2. Beyond the seating, the lot includes exclusive paddock access, railside viewing near the finish line on private lawn space, luxury hospitality with curated food stations, a premium open bar, private restrooms, and dedicated wagering windows. Bourbon-tasting experiences are also available by reservation.

Freirich added a second element that distinguishes the lot from standard hospitality packages. Through his partnership with Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds, he arranged a behind-the-scenes barn visit with a major trainer on Kentucky Oaks Day, an access point that money alone rarely purchases even for longtime Derby regulars.

TAA operations consultant Stacie Clark Rogers and TCA executive director Erin Halliwell both expressed gratitude for the donation, noting that high-visibility auction items tied to Derby week are vital for the aftercare sector's fundraising mix. The season presents a narrow but powerful window: no other moment in the racing calendar commands the public attention that surrounds the first Saturday in May.

That visibility matters because the work TCA and TAA fund never stops. Together, the organizations support the retraining, rehabilitation, and permanent placement of Thoroughbreds exiting competitive racing year-round. Directing a premium Derby asset toward that mission closes the gap between the sport's most glamorous weekend and the quieter, unglamorous work that follows for thousands of retired horses.

For the winning bidder, the package represents a rare convergence: paddock access, finish-line viewing, curated hospitality, and a barn walk alongside an elite trainer, purchased in a way that directly supports the horses that made the experience possible. Full auction details and package specifics are listed at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association website, with bidding closing April 17.