Updated June 18, 1999

Silver Charm Retires

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The horse that captured our hearts with his determination to win has been retired to stud. His owners, Bob and Beverly Lewis, promised to keep Silver Charm on the track as long as he showed the heart and determination for which he was so well known. Even after losing three races in a row, the fans still believed in their gallant gray champion, but Silver Charm was unable to duplicate his previous form this year. After his defeat in the Stephen Foster Handicap to Victory Gallop, his connections announced his retirement. Silver Charm retires sound and healthy and we look forward to seeing his progeny in the coming years.

Silver Charm - 1997 Where it all began--Silver Charm returns to the Kentucky Derby winner's circle after a hard fought victory over Captain Bodgit and Free House. Churchill Downs would become Silver Charm's second home. He returned to Churchill to train after each of the Triple Crown races. In 5 starts at Churchill Downs, Silver Charm was 1st in two races (Kentucky Derby and Clark Handicap) and was 2nd to Awesome Again in the '98 Stephen Foster and the '98 Breeder's Cup Classic.

     

The Preakness Finish Silver Charm out duels Free House and holds off the fast charge of Captain Bodgit to win the Preakness Stakes and become the first horse of the 90's to have a chance at winning the coveted Triple Crown. With the wonderful owners, Bob and Beverly Lewis, and the infectious charm of Bob Baffert, Silver Charm became an instant hit in New York, where people wore buttons that said, "Bet the farm on Silver Charm!"

     

Training at Santa Anita Silver Charm did not run in the 1997 Breeders' Cup Classic--he was being rested for his four-year-old campaign. The public continued to show up in droves to see him work during the week leading up to the Breeders' Cup. He made his last start of 1997 in the the Malibu, where he finished a hard-luck second to Lord Grillo after he ran into trouble in the stretch.

     

Silver Charm's 1998 campaign was filled with success at nearly every turn. He won the San Fernando Breeders' Cup, the Strub Stakes and the Dubai World Cup in dramatic fashion over highly regarded Swain. After a brief rest, Silver Charm faced Awesome Again for the first time at Churchill Downs in the Stephen Foster. Awesome Again snuck by Silver Charm on the rail and won in the final strides to the dismay of all the Silver Charm fans. Later that year, Silver Charm had the Breeders' Cup Classic within his grasp, as Awesome Again once again snuck through an opening in between Silver Charm and the rail and stole the race in the final strides. Silver Charm won his last start of the year in the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs. Bob and Beverly Lewis announced that he would not be retired, so the fans could enjoy him as long as he was able to compete at the upper level.

1998 Breeders' Cup Classic

     

Silver Charm heads to the farm... The last year of this century was not the best for Silver Charm, although he did win his first start of the year at Santa Anita. As Bob Baffert said when asked what had happened to the gallant gray, "Someone stole Silver Charm's mojo." So we bid farewell to the horse that for 2-1/2 years of his racing career, never understood the meaning of quit. You could always depend on Silver Charm being right at the wire, win or lose... with only inches to spare either way. He was a thrilling race horse to watch and his absence will be felt as we look for the next "charmer" to take his place... maybe it will be one of his sons or daughters... We wish him well.

 

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