Brook Smith and Carrie Brogden have been appointed to the board of directors of Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), as announced on Wednesday. Current board members Marette Farrell and Marshall Gramm have been designated as secretary and treasurer, respectively.
Brook Smith resides in Louisville, Kentucky. He earned a degree in finance from Clemson University and subsequently returned to Kentucky to build an insurance career, serving as a broker at Smith Manus (now Acrisure) and as a partner at Lexon Insurance Group. An accomplished entrepreneur, Brook is also a strong advocate for various charitable initiatives. He owns and manages Rocket Ship Racing and co-owns the graded stakes winner Sierra Leone (by Gun Runner).
Carrie Brogden was raised on her family’s Thoroughbred farm in Warrenton, Virginia, where she began her journey in the equestrian world by showing ponies on the horse show circuit. In 2001, Carrie and her husband, Craig, relocated to Paris, Kentucky, where they, along with Carrie’s mother Sandra Fubini, established Machmer Hall—a prominent name in Thoroughbred breeding with a stable of over 250 horses.
The newly appointed directors will join existing board members including 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 hold the title of director emeriti.
Marshall Gramm, the newly elected treasurer, has been on the TCA Board since 2020. Hailing from Washington, D.C., Marshall became interested in horse racing due to the statistical and problem-solving elements of betting. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics and is a professor at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. In 2016, he co-founded Ten Strike Racing with partner Clay Sanders and currently oversees more than 50 horses in training.
Marette Farrell, the newly appointed secretary, joined the TCA Board in 2020 as well. Growing up on a breeding farm in Ireland, she pinhooked two-year-olds to help finance her education. After graduating, Marette worked with trainers in Dubai, France, Australia, and the U.S. She started her own bloodstock agency in 2008 and currently provides advisory services to long-term clients.
Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), established in 1990 by Allaire duPont and Herb and Ellen Moelis, aims to raise and distribute funds to charities within the Thoroughbred industry that support the welfare of Thoroughbreds and their caretakers.