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Check out Sham's fan mail on this site.  Add your comments on Sham's contact page.

Read some excerpts from Sham, In the Shadow of a Superhorse:
California Thoroughbred Magazine - 2007 October issue Sham
ORDER SHAM NOW at the Online Book Store.  Secure PayPal site accepting credit cards and PayPal.


Back in 1973:

Watch Sham in action (video), and the trouble Twice a Prince (video) causes prior to the 1973 Kentucky Derby.  See what Penny Chenery (video) has to say about Secretariat and Sham.

Walt Disney movie "Secretariat," scheduled to be released October 8, 2010.
Watch the Secretariat movie trailer.
2010 will be the year to release Secretariat: The Walt Disney Movie.  Check out the story, and some photos from the movie.  Strange they don't mention Sham's name in the write-up, but he's prominent in the photos (the horse in green and gold silks running a close second to Secretariat).

Filming in Kentucky.

Read Steve Haskin's article on Sham.

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

The 2010 Triple Crown Challenge:

2010 Sham Stakes:
  This year the 1 1/8 mile Sham Stakes was rained out on Saturday, February 27 at Santa Anita Park, CA, and rescheduled for Saturday March 6. Check out the horses here.
  Alphie's Bet won the Sham Stakes on March 6 by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:48.72 under jockey Alex Solis.
  Get an early look at some of the horses on the 2010 Kentucky Derby trail.  
2010 Santa Anita Derby:
  For the 1 1/8 mile Santa Anita Derby run Saturday, April 3, the second favorite, Sidney's Candy, won in 1:48 (Story/Video).  That means Sham's 1973 win that tied the stakes record of 1:47 set by Lucky Debonair in 1965 (and duplicated by Indian Charlie in 1998) still stands today!
2010 Kentucky Derby:
  Looks like Sham's unofficial record for the second-fastest time in the history of the Kentucky Derby remains intact once again!  On May 1, jockey Calvin Borel brought Super Saver home in 2:04.45.  If you missed it, check out the video and story here.
2010 Preakness Stakes:
On May 15 Lookin At Lucky with jockey Martin Garcia up won the Preakness (story/video) in 1:55.47, which keeps Secrerariat's controversial record of 1:53 2/5 untarnished (Sham was right behind him in this race - identical to the Kentucky Derby).
 
2010 Belmont Stakes:
With both Super Saver and Lookin At Lucky passing up their chance at winning the Belmont, Drosselmeyer with jockey Mike Smith up, won this year's race on June 5 in 2:31.57.  Video/story. 

Booksignings:

MEET THE AUTHOR:
  Thanks to everyone who came by Champions! Gift Shop before the races on February 28, 2009, at Santa Anita Park.  It was my pleasure to talk about the magnificent SHAM with you.  It was also wonderful to meet jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr. (Sham's jockey - a busy guy who's hard to get a hold of) and leave a signed book for him.  Laffit smiled when I mentioned Sham and told me "He [Sham] was a great horse."  I have since heard that Laffit was thrilled to receive his copy of SHAM at his book signing on March 7.
  Unfortunately, I was never successful in my attempts to obtain interview commitments from either Laffit or Frank Martin (Sham's Trainer). Losing to Secretariat must have been devastating as both men had a fierce passion for winning.  Laffit's life was in turmoil after the 2003 riding accident that forced his retirement, right around the time I was researching. However, my book greatly benefited from interviews with Viola Sommer (Sham's owner), Penny Chenery (Secretariat's owner), and Butch Simpson and Peter Taaffe (grooms) -  in addition to many others who shared their knowledge of Sham's era with me. Thanks to Bill Mochon, Sham's photographer, for stopping by and spending a good part of his day with my husband Gary, and me.  My best to Christine Crocker at Champions! Gift Shop for hosting my first book signing.  It was a great experience.
Sincerely,
Mary



Mary Walsh with Bill Mochon at Santa Anita Park



MEET THE AUTHOR:
    My best to Amy Baird and Annette Noffz at Horse Connections, Inc. for including my second book signing in their October 24, 2009 fund raiser benefiting the Therapeutic Horsemanship and Riding Program.  It was such an enjoyable experience knowing all proceeds went to the non-profit group's therapy program for special needs children. Please take a minute to visit their website at www.HorseConnection.org to see the happiness they bring to the wonderful therapy class kids. It will tug at your heart strings.
Sincerely,
Mary