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Viola Sommer

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Viola Sommer
Born
Viola Landsberg

(1921-09-19)September 19, 1921
New York City, U.S.
DiedOctober 4, 2009(2009-10-04) (aged 88)
EducationJulia Richman High School
Hunter College
OccupationsThoroughbred racehorse owner, breeder, real estate executive
Known for1982 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner
Owner of Sham, Autobiography, Hitchcock, Paraje, Ring of Light, Triocala, Identical, Crackedbell, Home On The Ridge, and Machine to Tower
Board member of
New York Racing Association trustee
Member of The Jockey Club
SpouseSigmund Sommer
Children3
AwardsEclipse Award for Outstanding Owner (1982)

Viola Sommer (née Landsberg; September 19, 1921 – October 4, 2009) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse owner, breeder, and real estate executive. With her husband, Sigmund Sommer, she operated a major American racing stable during the 1960s and 1970s. The stable raced in green and gold colors and was closely associated with trainer Frank "Pancho" Martin.[1][2] The Sommer stable's horses included Sham, winner of the 1973 Santa Anita Derby and runner-up to Secretariat in the 1973 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, and Autobiography, the 1972 American Champion Older Male Horse.[3][4][5] Other Sommer-owned runners included Hitchcock, Paraje, Never Bow, Prince Dantan, Rube the Great, Accipiter, Great Above, Identical, Ring of Light, Triocala, Crackedbell, Home On The Ridge, and Machine to Tower.[6]

After Sigmund Sommer's death in 1979, Viola Sommer continued as an owner in her own name. She won the 1982 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner, served as a trustee of the New York Racing Association, and was a member of The Jockey Club.[1][7]

Early life and family

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Sommer was born Viola Landsberg in New York City on September 19, 1921.[1] She attended Julia Richman High School and Hunter College.[1] During World War II, she worked for the USO, interviewing servicemen for the military after their return from the front.[1]

She married Sigmund Sommer, a Brooklyn-born real estate developer, general contractor, and racehorse owner.[8] They had three children: Jack Sommer, Susan Sommer Schweitzman, and Barbara Sommer Fisher.[8][1]

Real estate interests

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The Sommer family fortune came primarily from Sigmund Sommer's real estate business. He built small apartment buildings in Brooklyn and single-family houses in northern New Jersey during the 1930s and 1940s, then expanded into high-rise apartment houses, shopping centers, and other commercial and residential properties in the New York metropolitan area.[9][8] One of the properties associated with him was 45 East 66th Street in Manhattan.[8]

After Sigmund Sommer's death, Viola Sommer remained active in Sigmund Sommer Properties, the company he founded.[1] Litigation over the Sommer estate later drew public attention. The New York Times reported in 1990 that the estate had been valued at almost $1 billion.[9]

Thoroughbred racing

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Stable with Sigmund Sommer

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Viola and Sigmund Sommer entered Thoroughbred racing in the 1960s and built a large stable during the following decade.[1] Their horses were trained primarily by Frank "Pancho" Martin, a Cuban-born trainer who became one of the leading figures on the New York circuit during the 1970s and early 1980s.[6] Martin first led the New York trainer standings in 1971 and led the NYRA circuit for ten consecutive years from 1973 through 1982.[6]

The Sommer stable had about forty horses by the early 1970s.[2] Sigmund Sommer led American owners by purse earnings in 1971 and 1972, with $1,523,508 in 1971 and $1,605,896 in 1972.[10] The New Yorker wrote that horses bought or improved by Martin for Sommer helped place Sigmund Sommer first on the national winning-owner list in 1971 and 1972 and second in 1973.[11]

Hitchcock, a German-bred horse bought by Martin for the Sommers in 1970, won the 1970 Display Handicap, the 1970 and 1971 Gallant Fox Handicaps, and the 1972 Suburban Handicap.[6] Never Bow, purchased privately from Jack Dreyfus Jr. shortly before the 1971 Westchester Handicap, won that race and later won the 1971 Brooklyn Handicap at Aqueduct.[12][13]

Autobiography became the stable's first champion. Bred and first raced by Ogden Phipps, he was sold to Sommer early in his three-year-old season and developed under Martin into one of the leading American handicap horses.[5] In 1972, Autobiography won the San Fernando Stakes, Excelsior Handicap, Westchester Handicap, and Jockey Club Gold Cup.[5] His 15-length victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup helped secure him the 1972 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Older Male Horse.[5]

The stable also had success in long-distance races. Paraje, an Argentine-bred stayer, won the Display Handicap in 1971, 1972, and 1973.[14] In his third Display victory, he set an Aqueduct track record of 3:474⁄5 for 21⁄4 miles.[14] With Hitchcock's 1970 win, Paraje's three victories, and Proud Arion's 1978 win, Sommer-owned horses won the Display Handicap five times.[14][15]

Sham

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Sham was the Sommers' best-known horse. Bred by Claiborne Farm, he was sold after the death of Claiborne's A. B. "Bull" Hancock Jr. Sigmund and Viola Sommer bought him for $200,000, the second-highest price of the dispersal.[3] Sham had been trained at two by Woody Stephens and was transferred to Martin for his three-year-old season.[3]

In California, Sham won the Santa Catalina Stakes and the 1973 Santa Anita Derby. In the Santa Anita Derby, he defeated Linda's Chief and Out of the East and equaled the stakes record of 1:47 for 11⁄8 miles.[3][16] In the Wood Memorial Stakes, he finished second by a head to Angle Light, with Secretariat third.[4][3]

Sham struck his mouth against the starting gate at the start of the 1973 Kentucky Derby and broke two teeth. He finished second to Secretariat, who won in a Derby-record 1:592⁄5.[4][3] Sham again finished second to Secretariat in the Preakness Stakes.[4] In the Belmont Stakes, he raced close to Secretariat through fast early fractions before fading to fifth.[4]

Sham did not race again after the Belmont. He was diagnosed with a hairline fracture of his right front cannon bone and was later retired to stud after being syndicated for $3 million.[3][16] In 2009, Viola Sommer recalled the effect of Sham's retirement on the stable and said he was loved because of his courage and because he had to stop racing so soon.[17]

Later 1970s horses

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After Sham's retirement, the Sommer stable continued to win major races. Prince Dantan, bought from John W. Galbreath's Darby Dan Farm, won the 1974 San Antonio Handicap and Santa Anita Handicap for the stable.[11][6] The New Yorker described Prince Dantan as an example of Martin's success with horses bought privately for Sommer, noting that he moved from minor races to the top of the handicap division within weeks of joining the stable.[11]

Rube the Great, a son of Bold Lad, won the 1974 Gotham Stakes and a division of the Wood Memorial Stakes before running in the Triple Crown series.[18][19] He later won a division of the Discovery Handicap.[6] Accipiter won the Withers Stakes and Saranac Stakes.[20]

Great Above, a Florida-bred son of Minnesota Mac, won the 1977 Toboggan Handicap at Aqueduct in track-record time and later won the 1978 Paumonok Handicap.[21][22]

Sole ownership after Sigmund Sommer's death

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Sigmund Sommer died of a heart attack at Aqueduct Racetrack on April 30, 1979.[8][10] Viola Sommer continued the stable after his death and remained active as an owner into the 1990s.[1] Her independent period included multiple stakes winners and led to her 1982 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner.[7][23]

Identical was among the first major winners in her name. He won the 1979 Gallant Fox Handicap and 1980 Stymie Handicap for Sommer and Martin.[24][25] Ring of Light won the 1980 Excelsior Handicap, 1980 Massachusetts Handicap, 1981 Roseben Handicap, and 1981 Suffolk Downs Handicap.[26][27]

Triocala, a Florida-bred colt, raced his early career for Sommer and Martin. He won the 1980 Alsab Stakes and Morven Stakes, then the 1981 Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct.[28][29]

Sommer remained active through the 1990s. Avasaurus won the King's Swan purse at Aqueduct in January 1992, his fourth consecutive victory.[30] Crackedbell won the 1992 Stymie Handicap for Sommer and Martin.[31] Home On The Ridge won the 1998 Toboggan Handicap.[22] Machine to Tower won the 1999 Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct under Cornelio Velásquez.[32][33]

Industry roles and recognition

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Sommer won the 1982 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner.[7][23] She served for many years as a trustee of the New York Racing Association and was a member of The Jockey Club.[1] The Jockey Club's 2003 Round Table Conference materials listed her as a Jockey Club member and owner-breeder.[34]

Death

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Sommer died on October 4, 2009, after a long illness. She was 88.[1] She was survived by her brother Eugene, her three children, and ten grandchildren.[1] A memorial service was held on October 6, 2009, at Riverside Memorial Chapel in New York City.[1]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Paid Notice: Deaths Sommer, Viola Sommer". The New York Times. October 6, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2026 – via Legacy.com.
  2. 1 2 Nack, William (2002). Secretariat: The Making of a Champion. Da Capo Press. p. 217. ISBN 9780306811333.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hunter, Avalyn. "Sham". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 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. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Hunter, Avalyn. "Autobiography". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Frank 'Pancho' Martin, Trainer of Sham, Dead at 86" (PDF). New York Racing Association. July 18, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 "Keeneland Connections: Champions and Eclipse Award Winners" (PDF). Keeneland. p. 277. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Harvin, Al (May 1, 1979). "Sigmund Sommer, 62, Real Estate Dealer; Owner of High-Rise Apartments and Race Horses Stricken at Aqueduct Track". The New York Times. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  9. 1 2 Raab, Selwyn (January 20, 1990). "In a Blaze of Lawsuits and Appeals, Heirs Battle Judge and Ex-Lawyers". The New York Times. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  10. 1 2 "Horseman Sommer Dies". The Washington Post. April 30, 1979. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 Ryall, G. F. T. (March 18, 1974). "Out of the Money". The New Yorker. p. 110. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  12. ↑ Ryall, G. F. T. (March 27, 1971). "Hats Off!". The New Yorker. p. 98. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  13. ↑ Ryall, G. F. T. (July 24, 1971). "Improver". The New Yorker. p. 65. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 Ryall, G. F. T. (December 17, 1973). "Three for Paraje". The New Yorker. p. 74. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Horse Profile for Proud Arion". Equibase. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  16. 1 2 Mitchell, Eric (April 10, 2026). "Overshadowed Greatness: Sham Was a Star in His Own Right". America's Best Racing. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  17. ↑ Haskin, Steve (July 9, 2009). "Sham Rocks". BloodHorse. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  18. ↑ Ryall, G. F. T. (April 8, 1974). "Those Three-Year-Olds!". The New Yorker. p. 115. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Wood Memorial". New York Racing Association. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  20. ↑ "The Blood-Horse 1974: Vol. 100 Index". The Blood-Horse. 1974. Retrieved July 7, 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  21. ↑ Hunter, Avalyn. "Great Above". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  22. 1 2 "Toboggan S." America's Best Racing. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  23. 1 2 "Owner Profile: Viola Sommer". Equibase. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Gallant Fox Handicap". Equibase. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Stymie Stakes". Equibase. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Excelsior Stakes". America's Best Racing. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  27. ↑ Haskin, Steve (September 10, 2018). "The Empire State Strikes Back". BloodHorse. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Pensioned New York Stallion Triocala Dead". BloodHorse. September 28, 2005. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Horse Profile for Triocala". Equibase. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Avasaurus Wins Aqueduct Feature". Los Angeles Times. January 9, 1992. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Horse Profile for Crackedbell". Equibase. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Machine to Tower Wins". New York Post. February 14, 1999. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Thoroughbred Daily News, February 14, 1999" (PDF). Thoroughbred Daily News. February 14, 1999. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  34. ↑ "The Jockey Club 51st Annual Round Table Conference" (PDF). The Jockey Club. August 17, 2003. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
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