TCA to Honor Brandon and Diannah Perry, Beyond the Wire

Thoroughbred Charities of America will honor Brandon and Diannah Perry with the Allaire du Pont Leadership Award and Beyond the Wire with the Ellen and Herb Moelis Industry Service Award at the 35th Annual Stallion Season Live Auction and Celebration presented by Mt. Brilliant Family Foundation on Sunday, Jan. 12, at Harper Hall in Lexington. The Allaire du Pont Leadership Award is presented annually to an organization or individual whose philanthropic endeavors are consistent with TCA's mission. Past award winners include H. Greg Goodman, Maggi Moss, Jen Roytz, LNJ Foxwoods, Dan Rosenberg, Barbara Banke, Bourbon Lane Stable, Graham and Anita Motion, Frank Stronach, Fasig-Tipton, Darley, Todd Pletcher, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, and Madeline Auerbach. Brandon and Diannah Perry's drive, passion, and advocacy for giving back perfectly encompass the spirit of TCA's Allaire du Pont Leadership Award. Recently named the Philanthropists of the Year in Ocala/Marion County, Florida, the couple believe deeply in supporting horses and the people who care for them. When Brandon's mother, Cathy Perry, passed away in 2020, she stipulated that a portion of her estate be given to charity but did not cite specific organizations. Brandon and Diannah spent a couple of years researching organizations and determining beneficiaries. Ultimately 29 charitable beneficiaries were selected including several Thoroughbred industry related organizations as well as other animal welfare organizations and many Ocala, Fla. community organizations. The Ellen and Herb Moelis Industry Service Award is presented annually to an organization that works to uphold TCA's mission. Past award winners include Second Stride, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Our Mims Retirement Haven, TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program, Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare, Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.), The Jockey Club's Thoroughbred Incentive Program, CANTER USA, Retired Racehorse Project, Belmont Child Care Association, Old Friends, and New York Race Track Chaplaincy. Beyond the Wire was launched in 2017 by the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and operates at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course, and Fair Hill Training Center. Enabled by donations from the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Maryland Jockey Club, the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland jockeys and owners per start contributions, Beyond the Wire facilitates safe and enriching placements, at partner facilities, for retiring Maryland-based racehorses. To date, Beyond the Wire has facilitated the placement of more than 700 Thoroughbreds. The TCA Stallion Season Auction opens with an online auction of stallion seasons at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8 and continues through 4 p.m. EST on Friday, Jan. 10. Nearly 200 seasons will be available on salering.net. See a full list of seasons is available. Most of the seasons will sell during the online auction; however, select seasons to Arabian Knight, Constitution, Not This Time, National Treasure, Timberlake, Cogburn (with 2026 breedback), Oscar Performance, Seize the Grey, and Vekoma will be sold at the Live Auction & Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 12. Bidders or their authorized agents may bid on select seasons by attending the event in-person or they may email ehalliwell@tca.org to register to bid online or by telephone. Non-season items including a John Deere ZTrak mower, a vacation home in Turks & Caicos, Triple Crown tickets, equine art from artist Robert Clark and more will also be offered in the live auction. Tickets can be purchased here. An online silent auction of non-season items including halters worn by Rachel Alexandra, Seize the Grey, Cogburn, Practical Joke, Munnings, and more will be offered. A list of silent auction items is available here. More items will be added. The auction is sponsored by Mt. Brilliant Family Foundation, Equine Athlete Veterinary Services, Rocket Ship Racing, Peoples Bank, Coolmore America, Ocala Breeders' Sales, Equine Medical Associates, Bourbon Lane Stable Retirement Fund, Grade One Investments, Top Line Sales, Equine Medical of Ocala, Julie Davies, Pick View LLC, Paul Sharp Stables, Niall Brennan Stables, Brookdale Sales, Ocala Stud, Scanlon Training and Sales, Ballyrankin Stud, L.V. Harkness, Paulick Report, BloodHorse, Daily Racing Form, and Thoroughbred Daily News. For further information regarding the 35th annual TCA Stallion Season Auction please visit www.tca.org or call (859) 276-4989.