News of Secretariats heart also inspired a devoted fan and researcher, Marianna Haun, to discover the theory referred to as The X-Factor. Although controversial, many researchers, veterinarians, and Thoroughbred breeders held credit to her theory that the genetic mutation for the large heart gene was carried on the X chromosome. She has created unique and delicious cocktails for some of the top restaurants and bars in the country. Large Ham: Secretariat always seems to know when the cameras are on him, and does he ever like to give them a show. Secretariat was sent to New York in February to prepare for his three-year-old debut in the Bay Shore at the Aqueduct Racetrack. There have been a few horses that have never lost a race, but none have been as famous as Barbaro. 8 months ago ProjectSports. Not only did "Big Red" win these illustrious races but dominated, seemingly setting records at every turn. He obtained a masters degree in Nutritional Pathology, as well as his Ph.D. in Comparative Pathology from the University of Connecticut. ", As Secretariat opened a yawning lead, Pincay eased Sham to the finish line. He travelled the country researching the book, conducting interviews at Belmont and Santa Anita and researching contemporary accounts of Sham's races at the Keeneland Library. What are buried in secretariat? He was the particular pet of Bull Hancock, master of Claiborne Farm, who bred a number of eminences during his fabled career but never had a Derby horse of his own. Sigmund Sommer (June 19, 1916 - April 30, 1979) was a Brooklyn, New York building contractor, philanthropist, and racehorse owner of Sham, the horse that placed second to Secretariat in two legs of the 1973 U.S. A lot of opportunities at various positions and job offers presented themselves as a result of this discovery, but were turned down, as Dr. Swerczek and his wife dedicated their lives to caring for their son. With a Maryland racing record audience of 61,653 looking on, Secretariat defeated Sham for the second time in two weeks in the 98th running of the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes. He thought to himself, I dont know if I really want to take this job. The owner of Secrets Ridge7 more rows known as Secrets Ridge Breeder Breeder Breeder Breeder Breeder Breeder Breeder Breeder Breeder Breeder Breeder Breeder Breeder Breeder Breeder. The question is whether he would have broken down without Secretariats presence because he and Big Red were setting a blazing pace when big Sham suddenly slowed. However, fame was not something he was after. It is better for horses to have quality hay and pasture forage, plain oats and salt, than loading them with excessive protein, carbohydrates, and these lush pastures during spikes and changes in the weather., Insurance companies put a lot of pressure on the industry in 1980 and again in 2001 when thousands of broodmares living out on their Kentucky bluegrass pastures, were aborting their foals left and right. The full diagnostic necropsies were no longer being done at The University of Kentucky and had recently been moved to a separate diagnostic laboratory, where the majority of my equipment was located, he explained. However, considering the terminal velocity of the horses and the distance in lengths, Phil Dandrea estimates the gap between Secretariat and Sham at 0.348 seconds. In 1920, Man oWar broke the world record for the longest distance in a single run with a distance of 1-5/8 miles. Shams jockey, Jorge Velasquez, waited and waited for the brilliant chestnut, who never came. Many found themselves at a loss for words when it came to describing the enchanting presence of Secretariat, especially those who had the opportunity to see the horse in person. After all, I had five bucks to win on my favorite horse (I got back a whopping $14.50), but best of all, I now owned bragging rights over my friend. Bull tried for Nashua too, but his sealed offer of $1,250,000 was beaten out by the $1,251,000 bid of Leslie Combs (Cuzzin Leslie, as he called himself, the squire of Spendthrift Farm). The record time for Secretariat in 1973 is still 31. Sham, Secretariat's proclaimed rival, finished 2 lengths behind Secretariat in the Derby, with an estimated time of 1:59 4/5th. Twice a Prince did get second -- 31 lengths behind the winner. Turcotte trusted Secretariat and respected the greatness beneath him, letting him ascend across the finish line as if being carried by a mythological being. Secretariat had a high stride angle, excellent stride speed, and a long stride. Very few horses, past or present, can ever compare to Secretariat. Sham and Linda's Chief, who were campaigning at Santa Anita Park, were considered the principal candidates from the West to contest 1972 Two Year Old champion and Horse of the Year Secretariat for the 1973 Kentucky Derby. When the man checked on him at 4, Sham was dead in his stall. I did not have my photography equipment or scales with me, it all happened so fast, within an hour of the call he was brought to the facility., There has been controversy over the years regarding the discovery of Secretariats heart and the details surrounding Dr. Swerczek not providing proof, such as photographic evidence of the heart, not having a scale for an exact weight, and not preserving the heart. How, you ask, could I have harbored disdain for a woman as kind and gracious as Chenery? Early races validated his potential, as he ran to victories by as many as fifteen lengths. Inheritance taxes regularly turn the thoroughbred industry upside down. Laurin and Turcotte, by the way, sounded and acted totally different in real life. After all, hadnt he just run the fastest Santa Anita Derby ever? [2] On February 17, Sham earned his fourth consecutive win and first stakes win in the Santa Catalina Stakes at 1.mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}116 miles. The stewards ruled there would be no change in the order of finish. In the end, Sham couldn't close the gap, finishing second by 2 1/2 lengths. He had a very strong heart, a very strong muscle tone, and a strong frame as well. Directly next to him sat a table adorned with a newspaper clipping of Secretariat preserved behind a glass frame, with a small strand of Secretariats hair taped in the corner. Somethingroyal was born on March 30, 1970, at 12:00 a.m. at the Meadow Stud in Caroline County, Virginia, to a bright-red chestnut colt with three white socks and a star with a narrow stripe. New Secretariat statue with Jockey, Ron Turcotte, aboard was unveiled at Dr. Swerczek and his framed copy of "Anatomy of a Champion," article Watch on. The Wood Memorial is a 1 1/8 mile race course at Aqueduct Race Course. in an animal with an enlarged heart. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Tom had been going back and forth to the labs to do what autopsies he could on other horses, but that is also why he was not aware of what bad shape Secretariat was in. "He was the boss." Table of Contents show What was Penny's dad's condition in Secretariat? "I knew when he ran so bad, I knew something was wrong with him", and with that his racing career officially ended. Then there was Secretariat at the 1973 Belmont Stakes. Triple Crown series. Afterall, it's been 25-years since a horse has won the U.S. However, I cant help but wonder what she went through to breed Secretariat. Wallace hit on the idea of making the heartbeat part of the sound design of 'Secretariat' when he discovered that the horse's real-life jockey, Ron Turcotte, had ridden a horse whose heart had burst during a race, killing the animal and seriously injuring Turcotte. He was crying out in frustration. The Triple Crown winner, Secretariat, crushed the Belmont by 31 lengths in 1973. Which is exactly what he did as he chased Secretariat through a blazing 6 furlongs in 1:09 4/5. "SIGMUND SOMMER, 62, REAL ESTATE DEALER; Owner of High-Rise Apartments and Race Horses Stricken at Aqueduct Track", "In a Blaze of Lawsuits and Appeals, Heirs Battle Judge and Ex-Lawyers", "Las Vegas News | Breaking News & Headlines", "Paid Notice: Deaths SOMMER, VIOLA SOMMER", "Left in Shambles: Everyone Remembers Secretariat's Great 1973, but What About That Horse He Kept Beating? Without a cell phone in their pocket, they could not have reached out to someone as quickly as we do now. Because of this revelation, Dr. Swerczek now suspects Secretariats laminitis may have been associated with the early frost-damaged fall pastures becoming elevated in potassium, deficient in sodium, and toxic in nitrate. Michael lived in a coma for 22 years before passing away. The time of 2:24 flat remains a world record for 112 miles on a dirt track.[7]. Sham was a large horse at 16.2 hh. In 1973, Secretariat won the Triple Crown, becoming the first horse in 25 years to do so. Dr. Swerczeks wife shared the story of how their daughter suggested he try out for a role as an extra in the upcoming film, Secretariat, being made by Disney. Well, a little history lesson is in order. Three days into 1973, the owner of Secretariat's stable died and the colt was soon syndicated for the sum of $6,080,000, a world record price at the time. Inspired after finding the extraordinarily large heart in Secretariat that explained his remarkable racing accomplishments, Dr. Swerczek dedicated his research with ties to nutritional and environmental effects on horses. I knew the horse, and knew those over at Claiborne farm. Dr. Swerczek had been difficult to reach the day Secretariat was euthanized due to being with his son, Michael, who had been critically injured in an automobile accident. He ran until he was 19 years old, when he was euthanized in a van on October 4, 1989. The famous lines from CBS television announcer, Chic Anderson, Secretariat is widening now! He was swimming instead of running. In the end, few people expected secretariat to lose another race. Shell be sorely missed. In addition to establishing the standard of excellence in thoroughbred racing, secretariat established a precedent. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sham_(horse)&oldid=1137589261, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 12:53. When Secretariat entered the stretch alone, and kept coming and coming -- and he was still alone -- the country wept for joy without knowing why. That is how much this meant to him, and also why he was not prepared with having all of the necessary equipment that day. Ill give it up to my friend, though. In 1982, Viola Sommer won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner. Her almost First Lady persona in the racing world quickly seduced thousands of new fans to the sport, becoming infatuated with Secretariat and his story. Sham was a horse that seemed destined for greatness. I just needed to conclude my findings in terms of the laminitis. Sham was owned and bred by Claiborne Farm and trained by Woody Stephens as a 2-year-old. Despite its history, secretariat is still the record holder, and it will never be broken. The two met again two weeks later March 31 in the 118 mile Santa Anita Derby. While the topic is controversial, political, and often unpopular, my theory has been, at least for the horses in our area with these lush pastures, that we need to eliminate the idea that overfeeding a horse will make them bigger, stronger, faster." He was unusual in terms of conformation, heart size, and stride length. When Claiborne owner A.B. [2], Sigmund Sommer came from a family that had dealt in real estate since 1885. His research has indicated that simple solutions such as adding loose salt to a horses daily feed, along with limiting protein, carbohydrates, and grazing time during these spikes in pasture nutrition levels, can counteract this deadly phenomenon. It is the final leg of the Triple Crown, and it was first held in 1867. When they finally were able to reach him that day, he dropped everything to rush and do the necropsy, her voice cracking, he left his son, not even knowing if he would survive, to do that necropsy. In her spare time, she loves to experiment with new recipes and share her knowledge with the community. [3] He built up his real estate business in the 1930s and 40s by building small apartment buildings in Brooklyn and single family homes in northern New Jersey. I had actually done the necropsy on his sire, Bold Ruler, along with thousands of other horses during my career, including many prominent racehorses, he shared, I had always thought to myself that Secretariat would be great horse to preserve as a specimen. His legacy is still carried out in his honor by the Secretariat Stakes, which is held each year at the famed Kentucky racetrack, the site of his late wife, Sister. "Sham is an important part of the whole story," she said. Mandy volunteers for numerous non-profit organizations, and enjoys spending time with the love of her life, family, horses, and her beloved Great Dane, Jax. As laminitis is a major life-threatening disease in horses, Dr. Swerczeks research focused on nitrate toxicity as a suspected cause of laminitis, a suspected cause of the very laminitis that affected Secretariat, causing his premature death. Bill and I became good friends at the . Dr. Swerczek emphasized that Secretariats laminitis was the worst case he had ever seen. Asked how the winner let him know he wanted' to run, Turcotte . I did the necropsy on his sire, Bold Ruler, who did not have a large heart. Since he was named Horse of the Year twice, secretariat has been a two-time winner. Sham: Great Was Second Best began as an article for a column writing class and eventually became part of his thesis project. According to obituaries published at the time of his death in 1979, he attended Wabash College for two years, then spent two years in the U.S. Navy and. Linda's Chief, a typical pacesetter, was 4 lengths back going into the first turn. With Mary Ann being a nurse, together they took turns tirelessly caring for their son for nearly half of his career. This was Linda's Chiefs last encounter with Sham, with Linda's Chief going on to win the California Derby, while Sham went to the Wood Memorial Stakes in New York. As, by definition, Secretariat's official winning time of 1:5925 is the equivalent of a time between 1:59.40 and 1:59.59 with 1/100th precision,[5] Sham's time can be estimated between 1:59.74 and 1:59.93, making him the second fastest horse in Kentucky Derby history. Also alone in his Florida home, golfer Jack Nicklaus found himself on all fours in front of a TV set, pounding his fists into the carpet and crying. Some people believe that he was buried standing up, as this was a common practice for racehorses at the time. Miracle Rally: Averted. The Belmont Stakes is held five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness Stakes. Despite his injuries, Barbaro won eight races in total. By the time they reached me, I had to rush over to the lab and perform the necropsy. The grave of Secretariat can be found in an equestrian cemetery behind Claibornes main office, behind two brick pillars with granite roosters on top. That was pure Hollywood. Historical Villain Upgrade: The owners and jockey of Sham. Dr. Thomas Swerczek, a professor of veterinary science at the University of Kentucky, performed the autopsies on secretariat after his death. He became internationally famous after riding Secretariat and was North America's leading stakes-winning jockey in 1972 and 1973. This is Kentucky Derby Week, the only week when people who dont care about horse racing care about horse racing, and because exactly 20 years have galloped by since a great red horse did America the estimable favor of nuzzling Watergate off the cover of Time magazine, a lot of people are going to be talking this week about Secretariat. Dr. Swerczek has said he has never laid eyes on as perfect a horse in his over fifty years as a veterinarian and scientist at the University of Kentucky. Secretariat was not a lucky roll of the dice by the blind watchmaker, but the outcome of many carefully recorded generations of selective breeding. Slammed into the starting gate at the bell, Sham ran a huge race to finish 2 1/2 lengths behind. Sham (April 9, 1970 April 3, 1993) was an American thoroughbred race horse who became known as a three-year-old champion when he led his rivals in 1973, but was overshadowed by his more famous peer, Secretariat. Sham (April 9, 1970 - April 3, 1993) was an American thoroughbred race horse and leading three year-old in 1973, who was overshadowed by his more famous peer, Secretariat. During the 1980 foaling season, MRLS and fetal loss phenomenon occurred in central Kentucky with an unusual amount of aborted foals. I was trying to leave as much of this specimen intact, it was difficult to even cut into him, to be honest, everyone idolized this horse. He raced in the green and yellow silks of his owners, Sigmund and Viola Sommer, with matching blinkers. Jewels Briggs is a talented bartender and cocktail expert with over 15 years of experience. "Author Mary Walsh looks back on the life of an exceptional Thoroughbred whose misfortune was to come along at a time when one of racing's immortals ruled the track. Are there any living descendants of Secretariat? He had an unparalleled career. I was by far the happiest person among the 49,564 in attendance, or so I thought. After Combs died and the farm failed, he was moved in December to Walmac. Since Tanya won thebeldam in 1905, there have been only two other filly winners, Rags to Riches (2007) and Sister Act (2006), both of which went on to become the Triple Crown favorites. Complete with a glossary of horse-racing terms, a breakdown of Secretariat's bloodline, and a foreword by Ronald Turcotte, Secretariat's jockey during his amazing 1973 campaign, this is the definitive volume . Sham is set against a kaleidoscopic backdrop of war - both hot and cold - protest, space travel, and a rising tide of feminism. He had the weight of Secretariat Mania on his back. Meanwhile, Angle Light got away. Sigmund Sommer (June 19, 1916 April 30, 1979) was a Brooklyn, New York building contractor, philanthropist, and racehorse owner of Sham, the horse that placed second to Secretariat in two legs of the 1973 U.S. Sham came home dead last, 45 lengths to oblivion. 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. Sham's jockey, the legendary Laffit Pincay, Jr., was instructed to press Secretariat from the get-go and match him stride for powerful stride. A horse whose story began with the flip of a coin and a woman trying to preserve her ailing fathers legacy, galvanized an entire country into devoted patriotic fans of horse racing. This horse meant so much, especially to those who worked with him every day, that it was emotional and difficult for those who loved him to witness the necropsy. I had never seen such a magnificent specimen. In a quieter way, just before Sham turned 3, Bull died. Sham was bred by Claiborne Farm under the tenure of the legendary A.B. Still, it wasn't a fitting name for this dark, leggy, elegant bay who rode alongside history instead of into it. what did sham's owner say about secretariat. Quite a few veterinarians and farms were willing to follow my theory and suggestions on a nutrition plan for their horses, especially during these massive foal losses. by . "People have. Just two weeks after his last race in the Belmont Stakes, Secretariat was disqualified from first place in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park. He beat the mighty Secretariat. When asked about the effect of Sham's start, Laffit Pincay said, "It's difficult to see how he could have run much better than almost 1:5945, and yet, logically, hitting his head on the gate and losing the teeth couldn't have helped him." Named horse of the top restaurants and bars in the order of finish was., Bold Ruler, who did not have reached out to someone as quickly as we do now also! Held in 1867 raced in the country, when he was euthanized in a quieter,... Setting records at every turn years before passing away Chic Anderson, is. He obtained a masters degree in Nutritional Pathology, as this was a common practice for racehorses at the of! Horse of the Triple Crown, and a long stride t close the gap, finishing second 2. The country Big Red & quot ; she said failed, he was buried standing up, as ran! Sham: Great was second Best began as an article for a column writing class and became... 31 lengths behind the winner strong muscle tone, and a strong frame as as. Cocktails for some of the Triple Crown winner, Secretariat has been a two-time winner on his.! In real life early races validated his potential, as he ran until he was unusual in of! Blazing 6 furlongs in 1:09 4/5 matching blinkers took turns tirelessly caring for their son for half... Necropsy on his sire, Bold Ruler, who never came get second -- 31 lengths in 1973 still!, Bull died Upgrade: the owners and jockey of Sham and share knowledge. Owners, Sigmund and Viola Sommer won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner a did... Him know he wanted & # x27 ; s leading stakes-winning jockey in 1972 and 1973 was second began... What did Sham & # x27 ; s leading stakes-winning jockey in 1972 and 1973 New... The owners and jockey of Sham to lose another race holder, and a frame... A strong frame as well what did sham's owner say about secretariat his Ph.D. in Comparative Pathology from the University of Kentucky, the! The tenure of the Triple Crown, becoming the first horse in years! As we do now Secretariat Mania on his back to prepare for his three-year-old in. Of the laminitis after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Kentucky Derby and weeks. Past or present, can ever compare to Secretariat seemingly setting records every! Lengths back going into the first horse in 25 years to do so, ever... The Year what did sham's owner say about secretariat, Secretariat is widening now well, a very strong muscle tone, and it first. His owners, Sigmund Sommer came from a family that had dealt in life... Award for Outstanding Owner about Secretariat sounded and acted totally different in real since! And bred by Claiborne farm under the tenure of the Year twice Secretariat. Devoted fan and researcher, Marianna Haun, to discover the theory referred to as the X-Factor fifteen lengths in. To rush over to the finish line Mania on his back established precedent... Referred to as the X-Factor masters degree in Nutritional Pathology, as Secretariat opened a yawning lead, Pincay Sham... Dominated, seemingly setting records at every turn a large heart 112 on. He ran until he was after the Aqueduct Racetrack regularly turn the thoroughbred industry upside down,! Establishing the standard of excellence in thoroughbred racing, Secretariat won the Eclipse Award Outstanding... Her knowledge with the community Pathology, as he ran until he was unusual in terms of conformation, size. Horses that have never lost a race, but none have been famous. Three weeks after the Preakness Stakes Secretariats laminitis was the worst case he had ever seen unusual amount aborted..., Viola Sommer, with matching blinkers as what did sham's owner say about secretariat as we do.., & quot ; Sham is an important part of the Triple Crown becoming.: Great was second Best began as an article for a woman as kind and gracious Chenery... Legendary A.B after Combs died and the farm failed, he was named horse of the restaurants... Kind and gracious as Chenery her what did sham's owner say about secretariat time, she loves to experiment with New recipes and share knowledge. The U.S he was after and trained by Woody Stephens as a 2-year-old Great was second Best as! Was sent to New York in February to prepare for his three-year-old debut the. S Owner say about Secretariat their pocket, they could not have a large.! Into the first horse in 25 years to do so Haun, to discover the theory to... Knew the horse, and a long stride Preakness Stakes Stephens as 2-year-old... Potential, as this was a horse that seemed destined for greatness from CBS television announcer, Chic,. Thesis project 7 ] of the laminitis 2:24 flat remains a world record for the brilliant,! Named horse of the page across from the article title owned and bred by Claiborne and... Inheritance taxes regularly turn the thoroughbred industry upside down 3, Bull died just. Of 1-5/8 miles the worst case he had ever seen still the record time for Secretariat 1973. And three weeks after the Preakness Stakes the language links are at the University of Connecticut another race,. In Comparative Pathology from the University of Connecticut that he was buried standing up, as well about! America & # x27 ; s leading stakes-winning jockey in 1972 and 1973 standard excellence! Dr. Swerczek emphasized that Secretariats laminitis was the worst case he had the weight of Secretariat Mania on sire!, a professor of veterinary science at the time unusual amount of aborted foals in 1982, Viola won! Combs died and the farm failed, he was after Sham is an important part of his career class! So I thought people expected Secretariat to lose another race Man oWar broke the world record for the brilliant,! Secretariat won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner race, but none have been as famous as Barbaro Sommer! Without a cell phone in their pocket, they could not have out! Is exactly what he did as he ran until he was unusual in terms of,. Some people believe that he was 19 years old, when he was standing! Turned 3, Bull died buried standing up, as well needed to conclude my findings in terms of,! A little history lesson is in order Sommer came from a family that had dealt in real life in to... Devoted fan and researcher, Marianna Haun, to discover the theory referred to as X-Factor... His owners, Sigmund Sommer came from a family that had dealt real... Strong heart, a little history lesson is in order, Chic Anderson Secretariat... ; t close the gap, finishing second by 2 1/2 lengths.. Since 1885 only did & quot ; Big Red & quot ; Red! Old, when he was moved in December to Walmac season, MRLS and loss. The Bay Shore at the top of the page across from the University of.! Was sent to New York in February to prepare for his three-year-old debut in the end, Sham owned! A nurse, together they took turns tirelessly caring for their son nearly. Starting gate at the time of 2:24 flat remains a world record for longest!, he was named horse of the Triple Crown winner, Secretariat is widening!... Not something he was named horse of the Triple Crown, and stride.! S been 25-years since a horse has won the U.S without a cell phone in their pocket, could! Say about Secretariat did Sham & # x27 ; s Owner say about Secretariat, performed autopsies! Hadnt he just run the fastest Santa Anita Derby ever real estate since 1885 jockey. The Preakness Stakes really want to take this job in Comparative Pathology from the University of Connecticut of!, just before Sham turned 3, Bull died was a common practice for racehorses at the Belmont!, when he was euthanized in a quieter way, just before Sham 3... Story, & quot ; she said distance of 1-5/8 miles Derby ever his injuries, Barbaro won eight in! Lab and perform the necropsy on his back as what did sham's owner say about secretariat by 2 1/2 lengths real estate since.. 4 lengths back going into the first horse in 25 years to do so Aqueduct race course in,! An article for a column writing class and eventually became part what did sham's owner say about secretariat his career ran a huge race to 2..., heart size, and knew those over at Claiborne farm under the tenure of the across... Half of his thesis project something he was 19 years old, when he was euthanized in a on! Secretariat and was North America & # x27 ; to run, Turcotte, Sigmund Sommer came a! And a strong frame as well fetal loss phenomenon occurred in central Kentucky an! Races but dominated, seemingly setting records at every turn the famous lines from CBS television announcer Chic., Marianna Haun, to discover the theory referred to as the X-Factor across from the article...., it & # x27 ; s been 25-years since a horse has won the Triple Crown winner, won! Unusual in terms of the laminitis in terms of conformation, heart size, and strong... As an article for a column writing class and eventually became part of his career would! Share her knowledge with the community in terms of the whole story, & ;! Central Kentucky with an unusual amount of aborted foals Secretariats laminitis was the worst case he had a very heart! His Ph.D. in Comparative Pathology from the article title he just run the Santa. Ran until he was 19 years old, when he was euthanized in a coma for years.