Thoroughbred Charities of America celebrated its 14th annual Gala & Auction Dinner by grossing more than $1.5 million Saturday, Dec. 6th at Candyland Farm in Middletown, Del. and a by simulcast to Cross Gate Gallery in Lexington, Ky.

Despite a two-day snowfall that blanketed the region, 350 attended the Gala at Candyland Farm, while another 150 participated in the Gala at Cross Gate Gallery. 

The lion’s share of the $1.5 million–a record amount for the event–was raised through the live auction of seasons to breed to top stallions during the 2004 breeding campaign as well as some sensational silent auction items. The auction was conducted by Fastig-Tipton and the top selling stallion season was Unbridled Song’s. Other top sellers included Dynaformer and Grand Slam.

Among the hottest items in the silent auction were a classic 1981 Mercedes Benz; “Allaire’s Chair,” a high-back chair needle-pointed by Mrs. Allaire du Pont; a Triple Crown travel package; a signed acoustic guitar by country music superstar Toby Keith, the original script for the “Seabiscuit” movie, signed by director Gary Ross and author Laura Hillenbrand; and two yearling Belted Galways cows