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Read some excerpts from Sham, In the Shadow of a Superhorse:
California Thoroughbred Magazine - 2007 October issue
Sham

Secretariat Movie on the way?  Get the news here:
The Blood Horse - Secretariat Film In the Works, by Evan Hammonds - May 9, 2007
Secretariat

Did you miss my article about the legendary filly, Ruffian?  Read it now:
Ruffian Comes to the Screen, by Mary Walsh
California Thoroughbred Magazine - 2007 June issue
Ruffian

Back in 1973:
Watch the trouble Twice a Prince (video) causes prior to the 1973 Kentucky Derby, and the praise Jack Whitaker gives Sham for such a brillant effort.  See Penny Chenery (video) reminiscing about Secretariat and Sham.
                                         *  *  *
The 2008 Sham Stakes:
   Click to watch the Sham Stakes (video).  This year, the 8th running of the Sham Stakes (story) was scheduled for March 1, 2008, Big Cap Day at Santa Anita Park, California, (prior years were run the first Saturday in February).  The victor was Colonel John.  Race officials have yet to determine if the Sham Stakes will return to February for 2009.

The 2008 Triple Crown Challenge:
   On May 3, 2008, Big Brown effortlessly won the Kentucky Derby (story and video) by 4 3/4 lengths, but his time of 2:01.92 did not rob Sham of his unofficial second-place record to Secretariat's Derby record (chart).
   Then on May 17 Big Brown effortlessly won the Preakness Stakes (story and video).
   Big Brown fell short of his Triple Crown bid (story).  Personally, I think all involved acted in a very professional manner for the Belmont Stakes race (story and video).  Big Brown is a lucky horse to have such a great backing, and this example of care and concern is what the sport of horseracing should always be about.
   CONGRATULATIONS to owner IEAH Stables (represented by Michael Iavarone, co-President), trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr., jockey Kent Desormeaux, and all the rest of Big Brown's human counterparts.  You all did a great job at protecting your talented animal's best interests concerning his first loss.
    Big Brown's comeback - the Haskell (story) - watch his victory (video).  Then on September 13 Big Brown won the $500,000 Monmouth Stakes race.  Owners prepare for "ultimate goal" -- the Breeders' Cup Classic on October 25.  Will Big Brown and Curlin meet? (story)

Thanks to everyone for their fantastic fan mail.  It is my pleasure to share your enthusiasm for Sham below.       Mary

Sham Fan Mail:

I am a large fan of the ill-fated Bay colt and so I, too, wish to bring Sham out of the shadows.  I loved your book and it inspired me to start work again on a project I had begun over a year ago.  I put a section of a video tribute I am doing for the son of Pretense up on Youtube.  Here is the link.
Edward
North Attleboro, MA

Although forever a Secretariat fan, I also love and appreciate Sham, who raced his heart out against Big Red. sham would have been the best if not born in 1970! He deserves racing's highest honor with an entry into the Hall of Fame!
Don
New Bedford, MA

We have long waited for Sham's story. We all know that if not for Secretariat, this marvelous colt would have been the 9th Triple Winner and no doubt a Hall of Famer. He gave it everything he had and wouldn't quit. He would have been the horse Forego had to beat. Frankly, I believe he would have defeated most if not all other Triple Winners (including the great Seattle Slew). Unfortunately, his career was cut short before he could prove himself. He lives in our memories. Thank you again Mary Walsh for bringing him back. The Secretariat we know today was only because of the horse that challenged him then, and that horse was Sham.
Russ
San Antonio, AL

Thank you for writing this wonderful book about Sham. You have satisfied a curiosity I've had about the entire life of this great horse.
Judy
McMinnville, OR

I just finished reading the book this weekend. It was a wonderful and sensitive treatment of the story of this marvelous horse. He was indeed unfortunate for being foaled in 1970. I searched the internet for the history of the word "Sham" and found it has Arabic roots meaning "unlucky." Mary, your writing put me right in the saddle. I could feel the drama of his races as they unfolded. I experienced the joy of his victories and the loss of his defeats and I just about broke down when he broke down in his workout following the Belmont Stakes. Thank the Lord his owner spared his life. You expressed his final moments very poignantly. I had always wondered about this horse, had always wanted to know his side and you brought it to light. It is tragic and undeserved that his life ended in near obscurity as evidenced by his humble tombstone at Walmac. His humble stud fees during his last years also brings that into focus, but it is also touching that someone at Walmac sees it fit to continuously honor his grave with flowers. One thing for sure, naming a stakes race after him informs us that California hasn't forgotten him. Thanks for your hard work Mary. A volume on Sham has been long overdo.
RA
San Antonio, Texas

Thanks so much for writing about Sham.  He must have been an incredible horse!
MD
Greensboro, AL

Sham—I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your book.  You were so descriptive, including with the horses' thoughts and feelings.  I could just picture each scene.  Not having followed horse racing, I couldn't put the book down in anticipation of what was to happen.  You even added a touch of romance in the paragraph where Sigmund is talking to Viola by phone and he caressed the phone line as if caressing her arm....  It does really make you sad to think that Sham didn't get the recognition he deserved.
Donna,
Burlington, ON, Canada

I was 10 years old when Sham won the Santa Anita Derby.  He became my favorite and I was sad to see him run with all his heart only to be second best in the triple crown races.  I own a horse, El Gato Malo, who ran second in this year's Sham Stakes at Santa Anita.  Sham was a great champion who should be remembered.
Jon,
Wittmann, AZ

I remember :)
Chris
St. Ann, MO

With the Triple Crown about to be done again (Big Brown) it brought my attention to Secretariat and Sham again.  Your book looks wonderful, cannot wait to buy.
Karen,
Flushing, NY

Yesterday I finished reading Sham.  I had taken my time in order to savor it.  What a wonderful book!  Like many people, I have considered Secretariat to be one of the greatest racehorses of all time!  But I always had a soft spot for Sham, the "other" horse who ran the Derby in record time.  You have done an incredible job of researching and writing this book.  I felt like I was right there throughout Sham's heartening times and heartbreaking times.  You can bet I was sobbing by the end of the book!  "If only" are such sad words, if only he had not raced in the Belmont...but his trainer had such faith in him.  In 2004 I visited Walmac Farm in Lexington.  And I saw Sham's headstone.  Sham was an underdog—a brave one—and your book was heartwarming!  Thank you!
Edie,
Spring Creek, NV

...Sham is a horse to remember.
Harold,
Carencro, LA

Secretariat.  Any horse enthusiast knows the name, probably a good percentage of people on the street do too.  You ask these same people about a horse named Sham and more than likely you will be met with blank stares.  I have personally been involved with horses for 30 years and have never heard the story of Sham.  Mary brings it to light.  I was so intrigued by her story of this wonderful horse that I didn't want to put the book down.  I want to thank her for bringing the story of this unsung hero into our homes!
Linda,
Elizabeth, CO

I so very much enjoyed reading your book about Sham.  Became misty-eyed when he was running the races.  My next door neighbor also thought the book was wonderful - such detail.  An amazing accomplishment putting it all together.
Rexene,
Fergus, ON, Canada

(Comments are views and opinions of Sham's fans)