Sigmund Sommer was a Brooklyn

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...

, New York

New York

New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

 building contractor, philanthropist, and racehorse owner of Sham

Sham (horse)

Sham , an American thoroughbred race horse, was one of the fastest horses of the 20th century, but was overshadowed by his larger-than-life peer and half-cousin, Secretariat. He was a dark seal brown in color. While racing, he wore green and yellow blinkers...

, the horse that placed second to Secretariat

Secretariat (horse)

Secretariat was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, that in 1973 became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting new race records in two of the three events in the Series—the Kentucky Derby , and the Belmont Stakes —records that still stand today.Secretariat was sired by Bold...

 in two legs of the 1973 U.S. Triple Crown

United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing

In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.While Daily Racing Form...

 series. At the time of Sommer's death at 62 in 1979, his estate was valued at almost $1 billion.

Biography

Sigmund Sommer came from a family that had dealt in real estate since 1885. He built up his real estate business in the 1930s and 40's by building small apartment buildings in Brooklyn and single family homes in northern New Jersey. By the 1970s, Sommer had expanded his real estate holdings to include shopping malls and commercial and residential properties in and around the metropolitan New York City area.

Thoroughbred Racehorse Owner

In the 1960s, Sommer purchased his first race horse, and along with his wife, Viola, oversaw one of the most successful thoroughbred racing stables through the 70s. The stable was among the leading money earners for ten consecutive years, earning over $1.5 million in 1971, a record, and beating that amount in 1972. At the time the Sommers owned 40 horses who ran under the stable's green and gold colors.

Sham

Sham, the Sommer's stable most famous horse, purchased from Claiborne Farm

Claiborne Farm

Claiborne Farm is a thoroughbred Horse breeding operation in near Paris, Kentucky. It was established in 1910, by Arthur B. Hancock, owner of Ellerslie Farm in Albemarle County, Virginia, and has been operated by members of his family ever since.-Owners:...

 after the death of Arthur B. Hancock, Jr.

Arthur B. Hancock, Jr.

Arthur B. "Bull" Hancock, Jr. was a breeder and owner of thoroughbred racehorses at Claiborne farm in Kentucky. He acquired European horses to breed in the United States, in particular Nasrullah and Princequillo, and gained great standing in the racing world as a result.-Early life:Hancock was...

 in 1972, and trained by Frank "Pancho" Martin

Frank "Pancho" Martin

Frank "Pancho" Martin is a United States' Hall of Fame trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. He is often remembered as the trainer of Sham, the horse that placed second to Secretariat in two legs of the 1973 U. S. Triple Crown series...

, holds the unofficial record for the second-fastest time in the Kentucky Derby when he placed second to Secretariat, clocking in unofficially in 1:59 4/5. In 1982, Viola Sommer won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner

Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner

Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor for racehorse owners. Created in 1971, it is part of the Eclipse Awards program and is awarded annually.Past winners: -References:* *...

. Mr. Sommer, who frequented the race tracks daily, died of a heart attack while at the Aqueduct Race Track. He was survived by Viola Sommer, his wife, and three children: Jack Sommer, Susan Sommer Schweitzman, and Dr. Barbara Sommer Fisher.

External links

• Sham: In the Shadow of a Superhorse Includes an image of Sigmund Sommer.
• Sham Rocks
• Sham: Great Was Second Best