Sham (horse)
| Sham | |
|---|---|
.png) Sham at the 1973 Santa Anita Derby | |
| Sire | Pretense |
| Grandsire | Endeavour II |
| Dam | Sequoia |
| Damsire | Princequillo |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | April 9, 1970 |
| Died | April 3, 1993 (aged 22) |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Dark bay |
| Breeder | Claiborne Farm |
| Owner | Claiborne Farm Sigmund and Viola Sommer |
| Trainer | Woody Stephens Frank "Pancho" Martin |
| Jockey | Laffit Pincay Jr. Jorge Velásquez |
| Record | 13: 5–5–1 |
| Earnings | US$204,808 |
| Major wins | |
| Santa Catalina Stakes (1973) Santa Anita Derby (1973) American Classic Race placings: Kentucky Derby 2nd (1973) Preakness Stakes 2nd (1973) | |
| Honours | |
| Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park | |
| Last updated on July 2026 | |
Sham (April 9, 1970 – April 3, 1993) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was one of the leading American three-year-olds of 1973 and finished second to Secretariat in both the 1973 Kentucky Derby and 1973 Preakness Stakes.[1][2]
Sham won the Santa Catalina Stakes and Santa Anita Derby, finished second in the Wood Memorial Stakes, and entered the 1973 Triple Crown series as the leading West Coast-based challenger to Secretariat.[2] In the Kentucky Derby, Sham lost two teeth when he struck the starting gate, then finished second to Secretariat, who won in a record 1:592⁄5.[2][3] He again finished second to Secretariat in the Preakness before fading to fifth in the Belmont Stakes, the final start of his career.[2]
Background and breeding
[edit]Sham was foaled in Kentucky on April 9, 1970.[1] He was bred and initially owned by Claiborne Farm.[2] His sire, Pretense, was a major handicap horse whose wins included the 1967 Santa Anita Handicap.[2] His dam, Sequoia, won the 1957 Spinaway Stakes and was by Princequillo, a leading stamina influence in American pedigrees.[2]
Sham belonged to Thoroughbred family 9-h.[2] Sequoia was a full sister to How, winner of the 1951 Kentucky Oaks and Coaching Club American Oaks, and to Cherokee Rose, winner of the 1954 Coaching Club American Oaks.[2] Sham was a half brother to stakes winner Dendron, to Little Sequoia, and to Shinnecock, the dam of Grade 3 winner Top Competitor and stakes winner Poppycock.[2]
Sham was a dark bay colt who stood 16.2 hh, Sham was described as a refined, powerful horse with a kind disposition.[2] He generally raced as a stalker, staying near the early pace before advancing late.[4] After his death in 1993, a necropsy found that his heart weighed 18 pounds, compared with about 8.5 pounds for the heart of an average Thoroughbred.[2][3]
Following the death of A. B. "Bull" Hancock Jr. in 1972, Claiborne Farm's racing stock was dispersed. Sham was sold to Sigmund and Viola Sommer for $200,000, the second-highest price of the dispersal.[2][3] At two, Sham was trained by Woody Stephens. After the sale, he was trained by Frank "Pancho" Martin.[2]
Racing career
[edit]1972: Juvenile season
[edit]Sham made his debut for Claiborne Farm in a six-furlong maiden race at Belmont Park on August 28, 1972. He finished third behind Angle Light and Timeless Moment.[5] He finished second in his next two starts at Belmont, losing to Broadway Playboy on September 13 and to Dick's Boots on September 23.[6][7]
After his sale to the Sommers, Sham made his first start for Martin at Aqueduct Racetrack on December 9, 1972. Ridden by Jorge Velásquez, he won a one-mile maiden race in 1:37, defeating Water Wheel and Radnor.[8]
1973: Kentucky Derby preparation
[edit]Sham began his three-year-old season in California with three consecutive victories at Santa Anita Park, all at 11⁄16 miles. On January 1, 1973, he won an allowance race in 1:42, defeating Double Variety and Quantum Jump.[9] He returned on February 2 in the Fleet Nasrullah Purse, again over 11⁄16 miles, and won in 1:412⁄5.[10]
On February 12, Sham made his stakes debut in the Santa Catalina Stakes at Santa Anita. Ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr., he won the 11⁄16-mile race in 1:45, defeating Out of the East and Scantling.[11] The win moved him into the main California prep series for the 1973 Kentucky Derby.
The leading California-based Derby prospects at the time were Sham and Linda's Chief, a colt trained by Robert J. Frankel. Linda's Chief had won the San Vicente Stakes and the San Jacinto Stakes, setting a track record of 1:334⁄5 for one mile in the latter race.[12] Their first meeting came in the San Felipe Handicap on March 17. Sham carried 123 pounds and finished fourth. Linda's Chief won the 11⁄16-mile race in 1:414⁄5, with Ancient Title second and Out of the East third.[13] Linda's Chief entered the Santa Anita Derby as the favorite for their rematch.
Santa Anita Derby
[edit]The Santa Anita Derby on March 31 was Sham's final West Coast prep for the Kentucky Derby and his last meeting with Linda's Chief. Linda's Chief, trained by Frankel and ridden by Braulio Baeza, entered after defeating Sham in the San Felipe Handicap. Sham was coupled in the wagering with Knightly Dawn, another Sommer-owned and Martin-trained colt who had won the California Juvenile Stakes, and Sham was ridden by Pincay.[12][14]
Knightly Dawn's presence gave the Martin entry a tactical role. Linda's Chief had controlled the San Felipe from the front, and Martin had said that he would not be allowed to get away easily on the lead again.[12][14] Knightly Dawn had originally been named with Jorge Tejeira, but Martin changed riders on the morning of the race and put Milo Valenzuela aboard instead.[14]
Knightly Dawn broke from outside Linda's Chief and came inward shortly after the start. Linda's Chief was forced out of his preferred early position, while Knightly Dawn went on to set a fast pace. Valenzuela sent Knightly Dawn through a first half-mile in :46 before the colt dropped back.[12][14] Sham, Linda's Chief, and Ancient Title then became the main contenders.
Sham made a sustained move and drew clear in the stretch, winning the 11⁄8-mile race by 21⁄2 lengths over Linda's Chief. Out of the East finished third, with Ancient Title fourth. Sham's final time of 1:47 equaled the Santa Anita Derby stakes record set by Lucky Debonair in 1965.[15][14] Knightly Dawn was officially beaten 40 lengths.[14]
After the finish, Baeza lodged a claim of foul against the Martin entry because of Knightly Dawn's movement at the start. The stewards made no change to the order of finish.[12][14] The result gave Sham a record-equaling win and made him the leading West Coast challenger to Secretariat heading into the Kentucky Derby.[14]
Wood Memorial
[edit]After the Santa Anita Derby, Sham returned to New York for the Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct on April 21. The race was his first meeting with Secretariat, the reigning American Horse of the Year and champion two-year-old male, who had opened his three-year-old season with wins in the Bay Shore Stakes and Gotham Stakes.[16][17][18] Sham did not have Pincay in the Wood. Jorge Velásquez took the mount, while Pincay returned for the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.[19][20][21][22]
The entries created discussion before the race. Martin initially entered Sham with Knightly Dawn and Beautiful Music, which would have given him three starters against Secretariat.[16][12] The plan drew attention because Knightly Dawn's role in the Santa Anita Derby was still disputed. Racing writer Charlie Hatton warned that Martin's additional runners could be used tactically against Secretariat.[12] Martin scratched both Knightly Dawn and Beautiful Music before post time, leaving Sham as his stable's only starter.[16][12]
Secretariat also had a stablemate in the race. Lucien Laurin entered Angle Light, a colt he trained for Edwin Whittaker, and Secretariat and Angle Light were coupled in the betting.[16][17] Angle Light's presence became important after the race because he, not Secretariat or Sham, won the Wood. Penny Tweedy objected to Laurin running another horse against Secretariat, while Laurin had obligations to Angle Light's owner.[12][18]
Angle Light broke sharply under Jacinto Vásquez and went directly to the lead.[16][17] The fractions were :243⁄5, :481⁄5, 1:121⁄5, and 1:364⁄5, with a final time of 1:494⁄5 for 11⁄8 miles.[16] Sham, carrying 126 pounds, raced within striking range under Velásquez but did not press Angle Light early. Angle Light was never headed and won by a head over Sham. Sham finished second, four lengths ahead of Secretariat, who was third.[19][16]
The result was an upset because Secretariat had been expected to win his final Kentucky Derby prep and had not finished behind another horse since his career debut, apart from his disqualification from first to second in the 1972 Champagne Stakes.[17][18] Because Secretariat and Angle Light were coupled in the wagering, bettors who backed Secretariat still held winning tickets when Angle Light won.[16]
Criticism of Velásquez's ride centered on the fact that Sham was kept near Secretariat rather than sent after Angle Light earlier. Sham closed late but missed by a head.[16][12][3] Secretariat's third-place finish received most of the post-race attention. Ron Turcotte said Secretariat lacked his usual finish.[16] A New York Racing Association veterinarian, Manny Gilman, found an abscess under Secretariat's lip on the morning of the Wood and showed it to Laurin; Turcotte and Tweedy were not told before the race.[18] The extent to which the abscess affected Secretariat's performance remains debated.[12]
1973: Triple Crown series
[edit]Kentucky Derby
[edit]The 1973 Kentucky Derby was run at Churchill Downs on May 5 before a field of thirteen. Sham drew post position four and was reunited with Pincay, who had ridden him through his California campaign but had not ridden him in the Wood Memorial.[20] The field included Secretariat, Angle Light, Our Native, Shecky Greene, My Gallant, and other three-year-olds drawn into the Derby after Secretariat's defeat in the Wood Memorial.[20][23] Secretariat was the betting favorite, while Sham entered as one of the main challengers.[20][23]
Sham's race was troubled immediately. At the break, he struck his mouth against the starting gate and lost two teeth.[2][3] The injury did not prevent him from taking up a forward position. Shecky Greene went to the lead, with Sham racing prominently behind or near the pace while Secretariat settled farther back before beginning his advance.[20][23] The pace developed in unusual fashion, with each quarter-mile run faster than the one before it: :251⁄5, :24, :234⁄5, :232⁄5, and :23 for the final quarter.[23]
As the field moved into the far turn, Sham became the main threat to the leaders. Shecky Greene weakened after setting the pace, and Sham advanced into contention while Secretariat moved strongly on the outside.[23] Sham remained with Secretariat into the stretch and was the only horse close enough to challenge him after the early leaders faded. Secretariat drew away in the final furlong to win by 21⁄2 lengths in 1:592⁄5, becoming the first horse to run the Kentucky Derby in less than two minutes. Sham finished second, eight lengths ahead of Our Native in third.[20][23]
Only the winner's final time was officially recorded, so Sham has no official individual time for the race. Using the 21⁄2-length margin behind Secretariat, Sham's performance has been placed unofficially under two minutes.[2][23] Phil Dandrea calculated Sham's margin behind Secretariat at 0.348 seconds, producing an estimated time near 1:594⁄5.[24]
Preakness Stakes
[edit]Sham and Secretariat met again two weeks later in the 1973 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. The race drew a field of six and repeated several of the main Kentucky Derby runners, including Secretariat, Sham, and Our Native.[21][25]
Secretariat was taken back early, as he had been in the Kentucky Derby, but Turcotte moved him sharply on the first turn. Secretariat advanced outside horses and took the lead entering the backstretch.[25] Sham moved into second and became the only horse within close range after the early move. He also had a less clean trip than in the Derby, hitting the rail hard while going around the first turn.[2]
Secretariat held a margin of about 21⁄2 lengths through the stretch and won by that margin. Sham finished second, eight lengths ahead of Our Native in third, repeating the top three finishers from the Kentucky Derby.[21][25] It was Sham's second consecutive runner-up finish to Secretariat in an American classic.[2]
The Preakness also brought about a timing controversy surrounding Secretariat's Triple Crown. The infield timer displayed 1:55, but Pimlico's official clocker timed the race in 1:542⁄5, and two Daily Racing Form clockers timed it in 1:532⁄5.[25] The official time was changed in 2012 to 1:53, giving Secretariat the Preakness record.[25] Sham has no official individual time for the race. With Secretariat's revised time and the 21⁄2-length margin, Sham's performance was also within range of the previous stakes record of 1:54, though any individual time for him remains unofficial.[2][25]
Belmont Stakes
[edit]The 1973 Belmont Stakes on June 9 was Sham's final start. The race drew a field of five: Secretariat, Sham, Twice a Prince, My Gallant, and Pvt. Smiles.[22][26] Before the race, Sham was nervous and sweating heavily, behavior that was not typical for him.[2] Martin instructed Pincay to keep Sham close to Secretariat rather than allow the favorite to control the race alone.[26]
Secretariat and Sham raced together through the early stages. The opening fractions were extremely fast for the 11⁄2-mile distance: :233⁄5 for the first quarter, :461⁄5 for the half, and 1:094⁄5 for six furlongs.[26] The two colts were separated from the rest of the field down the backstretch, but Secretariat began to draw away after the first six furlongs.[26]
Sham could not sustain the pace and faded to fifth and last. Secretariat continued to widen his lead, winning by 31 lengths in 2:24, a world record for 11⁄2 miles on dirt. Twice a Prince finished second, My Gallant third, and Pvt. Smiles fourth.[22][26]
A few weeks after the Belmont, Sham came back lame from a workout. He underwent surgery on July 6, 1973, for a fractured right front cannon bone.[2] Martin connected Sham's poor Belmont performance with the injury, saying, "Sham broke a cannon bone. I knew when he ran so bad, I knew something was wrong with him."[27] Although there was initial hope that Sham could return to racing, he was retired to stud instead.[2]
Racing statistics
[edit]| Date | Age | Track | Race | Distance | Finish | Winning time | Winner | Second | Third | Jockey | Weight | Owner | Trainer | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 28, 1972 | 2 | Belmont Park | Maiden | 6 furlongs | 3 | 1:11 | Angle Light | Timeless Moment | Sham | Gustines | 120 | Claiborne Farm | Woody Stephens | [5] |
| September 13, 1972 | 2 | Belmont Park | Maiden | 7 furlongs | 2 | 1:24 | Broadway Playboy | Sham | Dick's Boots | Gustines | 120 | Claiborne Farm | Woody Stephens | [6] |
| September 23, 1972 | 2 | Belmont Park | Maiden | 1 mile | 2 | 1:374⁄5 | Dick's Boots | Sham | Drollery | Gustines | 118 | Claiborne Farm | Woody Stephens | [7] |
| December 9, 1972 | 2 | Aqueduct Racetrack | Maiden | 1 mile | 1 | 1:37 | Sham | Water Wheel | Radnor | Jorge Velásquez | 121 | Sigmund Sommer | Frank Martin | [8] |
| January 1, 1973 | 3 | Santa Anita Park | Allowance | 11⁄16 miles | 1 | 1:42 | Sham | Double Variety | Quantum Jump | Laffit Pincay Jr. | 118 | Sigmund Sommer | Frank Martin | [9] |
| February 2, 1973 | 3 | Santa Anita | Fleet Nasrullah Purse | 11⁄16 miles | 1 | 1:412⁄5 | Sham | Table Run | Untangle | Pincay | 118 | Sigmund Sommer | Frank Martin | [10] |
| February 12, 1973 | 3 | Santa Anita | Santa Catalina Stakes | 11⁄16 miles | 1 | 1:45 | Sham | Out of the East | Scantling | Pincay | 118 | Sigmund Sommer | Frank Martin | [11] |
| March 17, 1973 | 3 | Santa Anita | San Felipe Handicap | 11⁄16 miles | 4 | 1:414⁄5 | Linda's Chief | Ancient Title | Out of the East | Pincay | 123 | Sigmund Sommer | Frank Martin | [13] |
| March 31, 1973 | 3 | Santa Anita | Santa Anita Derby | 11⁄8 miles | 1 | 1:47 | Sham | Linda's Chief | Out of the East | Pincay | 120 | Sigmund Sommer | Frank Martin | [15] |
| April 21, 1973 | 3 | Aqueduct | Wood Memorial | 11⁄8 miles | 2 | 1:494⁄5 | Angle Light | Sham | Secretariat | Velásquez | 126 | Sigmund Sommer | Frank Martin | [19] |
| May 5, 1973 | 3 | Churchill Downs | Kentucky Derby | 11⁄4 miles | 2 | 1:592⁄5 | Secretariat | Sham | Our Native | Pincay | 126 | Sigmund Sommer | Frank Martin | [20] |
| May 19, 1973 | 3 | Pimlico | Preakness Stakes | 13⁄16 miles | 2 | 1:53 | Secretariat | Sham | Our Native | Pincay | 126 | Sigmund Sommer | Frank Martin | [21] |
| June 9, 1973 | 3 | Belmont Park | Belmont Stakes | 11⁄2 miles | 5 | 2:24 | Secretariat | Twice a Prince | My Gallant | Pincay | 126 | Sigmund Sommer | Frank Martin | [22] |
Stud career
[edit]Sham entered stud in Kentucky in 1974 at Spendthrift Farm after being syndicated at a total valuation of $3 million.[2] He later stood at Walmac International near Lexington, Kentucky.[2]
According to Jockey Club records cited by American Classic Pedigrees, Sham sired 347 winners and 44 stakes winners from 625 named foals.[2] The Blood-Horse credited him with 47 stakes winners.[2] America's Best Racing, citing Equineline statistics, listed 625 foals, 487 starters, and total progeny earnings of $17,720,006.[28]
His notable progeny included Grade 1 winner Arewehavingfunyet, Jaazeiro, Prince Syn, and Colonel Moran.[2][28] He was also the sire of Safe Play, the dam of Defensive Play.[29]
Sham died at Walmac Farm on April 3, 1993, at age 23, apparently from heart failure.[2][3] He was buried at Walmac Farm.[3] At necropsy, his heart weighed 18 pounds, compared with about 8.5 pounds for an average Thoroughbred heart.[2]
Assessment and legacy
[edit]On The Blood-Horse Free Handicap for American three-year-old males of 1973, Sham was rated at 127 pounds, nine pounds below Secretariat and tied with Forego. On the Daily Racing Form Free Handicap for the same division, he was rated at 129 pounds, seven pounds below Secretariat and again tied with Forego.[2]
The Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park is named in his honor.[2]
Pedigree
[edit]| Sire Pretense |
Endeavour II | British Empire | Colombo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rose of England | |||
| Himalaya | Hunter’s Moon | ||
| Partenope | |||
| Imitation | Hyperion | Gainsborough | |
| Selene | |||
| Flattery | Winalot | ||
| Fickle | |||
| Dam Sequoia |
Princequillo | Prince Rose | Rose Prince |
| Indolence | |||
| Cosquilla | Papyrus | ||
| Quick Thought | |||
| The Squaw II | Sickle | Phalaris | |
| Selene | |||
| Minnewaska | Blandford | ||
| Nipisiquit |
Sham was inbred 5x4x4 to Selene.[2] His dam, Sequoia, was out of The Squaw II, a daughter of Sickle and a half sister to 1947 Grand Prix de Paris winner Avenger.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 "Horse Profile for Sham". Equibase. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Hunter, Avalyn. "Sham". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Callahan, Tom (May 2, 1993). "Left in Shambles: Everyone Remembers Secretariat's Great 1973, but What About That Horse He Kept Beating?". Los Angeles Times. Washington Post. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Sham: In the Shadow of a Superhorse". California Thoroughbred Magazine. Archived from the original on May 7, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
- 1 2 "Belmont race chart, August 28, 1972". The Star-Ledger. Newark, New Jersey. August 29, 1972. Retrieved July 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Belmont race chart, September 13, 1972". The Star-Ledger. Newark, New Jersey. September 14, 1972. Retrieved July 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Belmont race chart, September 23, 1972". The Star-Ledger. Newark, New Jersey. September 24, 1972. Retrieved July 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Aqueduct race chart, December 9, 1972". The Star-Ledger. Newark, New Jersey. December 10, 1972. Retrieved July 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Santa Anita race chart, January 1, 1973". Independent. Long Beach, California. January 2, 1973. Retrieved July 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Fleet Nasrullah Purse chart, February 2, 1973". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. February 3, 1973. Retrieved July 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Santa Catalina Stakes chart, February 12, 1973". Independent. Long Beach, California. February 13, 1973. Retrieved July 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Haskin, Steve (January 21, 2013). "Big Red and the Winter of '73". BloodHorse.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- 1 2 "San Felipe Handicap chart, March 17, 1973". Independent. Long Beach, California. March 18, 1973. Retrieved July 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hovdey, Jay (April 7, 2023). "Long Ago Santa Anita Derby Lives in Big Red's Shadow". TrueNicks. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- 1 2 "Santa Anita Derby chart, March 31, 1973". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. April 1, 1973. Retrieved July 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ryall, G. F. T. (April 28, 1973). "Eagle Bird". The New Yorker. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Wood Memorial". Secretariat.com. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Shulman, Lenny (April 21, 2023). "Secretariat's Shocking Stumble in 1973 Wood Memorial in Final Kentucky Derby Prep". America's Best Racing. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Wood Memorial chart, April 21, 1973". Daily News. New York, New York. April 22, 1973. Retrieved July 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Kentucky Derby chart, May 5, 1973". The Bradenton Herald. Bradenton, Florida. May 6, 1973. Retrieved July 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 "Preakness Stakes chart, May 19, 1973". Houston Chronicle. Houston, Texas. May 20, 1973. Retrieved July 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 "Belmont Stakes chart, June 9, 1973". Dayton Daily News. Dayton, Ohio. June 10, 1973. Retrieved July 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Kentucky Derby". Secretariat.com. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- ↑ Dandrea, Phil (2010). Sham: Great Was Second Best: A Brave Bay's Rivalry with the Legendary Secretariat. Acanthus Publishing. p. 210. ISBN 978-0-9842173-3-5.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Preakness Stakes". Secretariat.com. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Belmont Stakes". Secretariat.com. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- ↑ Anderson, Dave (June 9, 1984). "Sports of the Times; A Romantic Long Shot". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- 1 2 Beaver, Bethaney (June 18, 2026). "Overshadowed by Greatness, Sham Was a Star in His Own Right". America's Best Racing. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Horse Profile for Defensive Play". Equibase. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
External links
[edit]- Sham at American Classic Pedigrees
- Sham at Equibase
- Sham's pedigree at PedigreeQuery