Whether endowing an entrepreneurship competition he founded at his alma mater, Skidmore College, supporting disabled jockeys, or donating to Thoroughbred aftercare, Ken Freirich believes in leading by example, and last week at the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar, he was seemingly everywhere all at once, spreading the message.

“Sure did. It was non-stop,” he said a few days after the event when asked if he’d had fun.

In a little more than 48 hours, Freirich did a) an interview on FanDuel TV regarding his generous donation of $500,000 to Breeders’ Cup Charities – of which Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a recipient; b) saw a song he wrote and executive produced, “I Wish,” performed before the Breeders’ Cup by the San Diego Children’s Choir; c) his music group Random Acts of Kindness sponsored the Thoroughbred Charities of America’s Bash at the Breeders’ Cup to celebrate the new single; d) was in the winner’s circle to present checks to charitable organizations regarding his donation; e) presented a trophy following the Ken Maddy Stakes; and f) spread the gospel of aftercare as he made his way around the track both championship days.

He wasn’t done. Just a few days after the Breeders’ Cup, the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund announced that Freirich was one of two new members of its board of directors.

Freirich with the San Diego Children’s Choir. (Better World Records)

Giving back is in his DNA. Freirich, a successful businessman and long-time owner, has been a philanthropic juggernaut for decades, beginning with an entrepreneurship and business plan competition he founded at Skidmore, which he has since endowed. He has brought that same passion to the Thoroughbred industry.

“I’m trying to use my business and entrepreneurial background to offer help and assistance,” Freirich said. “After talking to the executive directors and chief executive officers of different Thoroughbred charities, the one thing they all have in common is the need for more resources. There’s a need for more significant funding across the board.

“The industry and its constituents can do more. Owners, breeders, fans, trainers, and corporate sponsors. We need to thoughtfully plan out giving. Part of my message is we need to do more now, and we need to plan for the future.”

Freirich has been a long-time investor and partner with West Point Thoroughbreds. Through West Point, he was a co-owner of Flightline, the 2022 Horse of the Year, and a few of his current runners include Ewing, the unbeaten winner of the Grade 2 Saratoga Special Stakes, and Sandman, the winner of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. To Freirich, horses are like family.

Freirich is a partner in West Point horses like Sandman. (Eclipse Sportswire)

“And like family members, it’s important to take care of them for the rest of their lives, not just when they’re in racing” he said.

It’s more than the horses, though. Freirich sees a clear need for more support for those who are in the trenches with aftercare.

“One of the biggest reasons I’m passionate about this is supporting the aftercare givers,” he said. “Aftercare givers will require more resources, staffing, and additional land for the horses which will necessitate significant investment. All pillars of the aftercare community need to be supported.”

Freirich said Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is essential, owing to its accreditation process.

“It’s one of the wonderful things Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance does,” he said. “Having rigorous protocols in place ensures the horses are properly cared for and provides a strong comfort level to all supporters and donors of aftercare.”

The overall need, though, is constant, and growing.

“I feel the charitable needs of the Thoroughbred industry are significant,” Freirich said. “I am trying to lead by example to encourage others to help now and in the future.”– by Jay Privman