Co-Owner of Sandman Gives $100K to Retirement Charities

To celebrate Sandman being in the 151st Kentucky Derby and to highlight the importance of taking care of Thoroughbreds after their racing careers, Ken Freirich wanted to do something big for the heart and soul of the sport: the horses.

On Thursday, May 1, the 8th race at Churchill Downs is the "The Run for the Retired Racehorses". After the race, four Thoroughbred aftercare organizations will be honored in the Winner's Circle for the work they do in support of retired equine athletes: New Vocations, Second Stride, Inc., Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and Thoroughbred Charities of America. Freirich will present a Derby-sized check to all four organizations in the amount of $100,000 to be split equally among them. 

Freirich, a retired entrepreneur / CEO / philanthropist, believes strongly in making the world a better place and doing regular random acts of kindness. He is also a songwriter, drummer and has a record label called Better World Records. Freirich owns a minority stake in Sandman through West Point Thoroughbreds, where he has been a long-time partner.

"The horses are the heart and soul of the sport, and they are also like family to all of us," said Freirich. "It's so incredibly important to take care of them after their racing careers. I am thrilled to partner and contribute to these wonderful organizations, the 'After Caregivers;' they need our support to continue their amazing work."

Freirich hopes that other owners will join him and make a donation to Thoroughbred aftercare, spurring fans to do the same. Donations to the four featured organizations can be made online at www.ChurchillDownsIncorporated.com/Aftercare.

"When Ken approached us with his desire to donate, we jumped at the chance to help surprise our longtime partners, New Vocations, Second Stride, TAA and TCA," said Cathy Shircliff, Director of Equine Industry Relations for Churchill Downs Incorporated. "It's such an honor to facilitate this donation and give these organizations the recognition they deserve."

"We are incredibly grateful for Ken Freirich's generous support of our mission," said Anna Ford, Program Director at New Vocations. "As the demand for aftercare continues to grow alongside rising program costs, this funding is essential in helping us properly rehabilitate, retrain, and rehome the hundreds of retired Thoroughbred racehorses we will serve this year."

"TCA is deeply honored to be a beneficiary of Ken's tremendous and heartfelt investment in aftercare," said Erin Halliwell, Executive Director at Thoroughbred Charities of America. "Ken's contribution will have a meaningful and lasting impact, enabling us to provide vital resources to a network of aftercare groups that help Thoroughbreds successfully transition into new careers."

"The TAA is very appreciative to be a part of this wonderful donation and bring awareness to our mission and support accredited aftercare," said Walt Roberston, TAA President. "We wish everyone a happy and safe Kentucky Derby weekend."

"Owners like Ken Freirich are shining examples for the industry," said Kim Smith, Founder and Executive Director of Second Stride. "Donations like his are critical to Second Stride's mission to transition as many retiring Thoroughbred athletes as we can to new careers and forever homes. We are so grateful for Mr. Freirich's commitment to aftercare."

Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) was formed in 1990 to fund and facilitate the support of Thoroughbreds and the people who care for them. In 2024, TCA granted over $1 million to 86 approved charities working within Thoroughbred retraining, rehoming and retirement; backstretch and farm worker services, research and equine-assisted therapy. During the last three decades, TCA has granted over $27 million to more than 200 charities that successfully meet the criteria set forth in its annual grant application. TCA administers the Horses First Fund, founded by LNJ Foxwoods in 2016, to assist Thoroughbreds in need of emergency aid. TCA is the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA). More information can be found at TCA.org.

Founded in 1992, New Vocations has grown into the largest racehorse adoption charity in the country. Its mission to rehabilitate, retrain and rehome retired racehorses has led to the placement of over 9,500 horses, with more than 600 retirees served by the program each year. With facilities in six states including Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania Florida and Louisiana, New Vocations serves over 70 racetracks, working directly with owners and trainers in need of equine aftercare options. www.newvocations.org.

Based in Lexington, KY, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders' Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since its inception in 2012, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has granted more than $36.04 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently, 83 aftercare organizations comprised of approximately 175 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org.

Based in Prospect, Kentucky, Second Stride's mission is to provide professional rehabilitation, retraining and placement of retired Thoroughbred racehorses with qualified adopters. We specialize in giving transitioning Thoroughbreds the proper care and quality training they need to succeed in something new. Since our founding in 2005, we have placed over 2,000 retired Thoroughbred racehorses and other Thoroughbreds in need with qualified adopters around the country. Learn more at secondstride.org.