LEXINGTON, Ky. — Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) announced today the appointment of Brook Smith and Carrie Brogden to its Board of Directors. Current directors Marette Farrell and Marshall Gramm were named secretary and treasurer, respectively.
Brook Smith is a resident of Louisville, Kentucky. After graduating from Clemson University with a degree in finance, he returned to Kentucky and launched a career in the insurance industry, specifically surety, as a broker with his agency Smith Manus (now Acrisure) and as a partner in Lexon Insurance Group. He is a serial entrepreneur and big supporter of numerous philanthropic endeavors. Brook owns and manages Rocket Ship Racing and is a co-owner of multiple graded stakes winner Sierra Leone.
Carrie Brogden was born and raised on her family’s Thoroughbred farm in Warrenton, Virginia and grew up showing ponies on the horse show circuit. In 2001, Carrie and her husband, Craig, moved to Paris, Kentucky and, along with Carrie’s mom Sandra Fubini, founded Machmer Hall, one of the most recognizable names in the Thoroughbred breeding business and home to more than 250 horses. Horses bred, raised and/or sold by Machmer Hall include Search Results, Tepin, Flat Out, and Mind Your Biscuits. Carrie, along with her husband and mother are partners in the Machmer Hall Sales with Amy Bunt and Michelle and Tom Mullikin.
The two newly elected directors join current board members Lesley Campion (vice president), Marette Farrell (secretary), Casi Gaffalione, Torie Gladwell, Marshall Gramm (treasurer), Brant Laue, Jason Loutsch, Ryan Mahan, Mike McMahon (president), Dan Metzger, Leah O’Meara, Liam O’Rourke, Morgan Richardson, Cathy Shircliff, and Jesse Ullery. Gretchen Jackson, Ellen Moelis and Dan Rosenberg are directors emeriti.
Newly elected TCA treasurer, Marshall Gramm, joined the Board in 2020. Marshall grew up in Washington, D.C. and became involved in horseracing because of the statistical and problem-solving aspects of betting. Gramm is an Economics Ph.D. and professor at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. He is an avid bettor and has qualified for the National Handicapping Championships six times finishing ninth in 2019 and fifth at the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge in 2018. Gramm and partner Clay Sanders co-founded Ten Strike Racing in 2016 and currently have more than 50 horses in training.
Newly elected TCA Secretary, Marette Farrell, also joined the TCA Board in 2020. Marette grew up on a stud farm in Ireland and pinhooked two-year-olds to help pay for college. After graduation she went on to work for trainers in Dubai, France, Australia, and the U.S. In 2008, she formed her own bloodstock agency where she currently works in an advisory capacity for long-term clients. Marette helped purchase and mate the dam of Belmont Stakes winner Creator and also advised in the purchase of Storm the Court and many other Grade I winners.
Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) was formed in 1990 by Allaire duPont and Herb and Ellen Moelis to raise and distribute funds to charities in the Thoroughbred industry that fund and facilitate the support of Thoroughbreds and the people who care for them. In 2023, TCA granted over $821,000 to 75 charities working within Thoroughbred retraining, rehoming and retirement; backstretch and farm worker services, research and equine-assisted therapy. Over the last 34 years, TCA has granted more than $26 million to more than 200 charities that successfully meet the criteria set forth in its annual grant application. TCA also 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 Owner and Breeders Association (TOBA). More information can be found at tca.org.
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