Brook Smith and Carrie Brogden have been appointed to the board of directors of Thoroughbred Charities of America, the organization announced Wednesday. Current directors Marette Farrell and Marshall Gramm were named secretary and treasurer, respectively.
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, 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 (Gun Runner).
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.
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. 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.
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.
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