Horse Owner Ken Freirich Gifts $500k To Breeders' Cup Charities

Ken Freirich, who was part of the ownership group behind Horse of the Year Flightline, has made a $500,000 gift to Breeders' Cup Charities in an effort to positively impact the Thoroughbred industry's culture of giving by illustrating the importance of long-term commitments, the Breeders' Cup said via a press release on Friday.

Funds from Freirich will be released over a 3 1/2-year period. This major gift is in addition to the $100,000 match the international philanthropist provided to Breeders' Cup Charities in July during the organization's Annual Day of Giving, which raised a total of $200,963.

From the gift, Freirich will utilize $50,000 for a match this fall for funds raised during Breeders' Cup Charities' “Champions Give Back” campaign, which kicks off Oct. 1 and runs through the World Championships on Oct. 31-Nov. 1. In addition to the unprecedented donation of all royalties received on Breeders' Cup merchandise, the campaign will include several fundraising initiatives which will be announced in the coming weeks.

In addition to his financial commitment, Freirich will take on an advisory role with Breeders' Cup Charities.