Skip to main content

History Walks By: The story of California Chrome

Love the Chase posed with Steve Coburn a few weeks before California Chrome won the Kentucky Derby.

Love the Chase posed with Steve Coburn a few weeks before California Chrome won the Kentucky Derby.

California Chrome's victory in the Kentucky Derby was his fifth straight with jockey Victor Espinoza.

California Chrome's victory in the Kentucky Derby was his fifth straight with jockey Victor Espinoza.

Williams: After we retired him, there was very limited interest from Kentucky breeding farms, and at a pretty low dollar value, around $20,000 or $30,000. We decided to do it ourselves and send him down to [Harris Farms Horse Division president] John Harris. [Lucky Pulpit's] third crop [of foals] gave us a Derby horse, Rousing Sermon. [Lucky Pulpit] was bred to Love the Chase in his fifth crop.

Perry Martin (left) and Steve Coburn (right) spent less than $10,000 for the horse that won the Derby.

Perry Martin (left) and Steve Coburn (right) spent less than $10,000 for the horse that won the Derby.

After a slow start in 2013, trainer Art Sherman and California Chrome have won their last six races.

After a slow start in 2013, trainer Art Sherman and California Chrome have won their last six races.

Victor Espinoza, who won the 2002 Derby and Preakness on War Emblem, liked California Chrome.

Victor Espinoza, who won the 2002 Derby and Preakness on War Emblem, liked California Chrome.

For me, I look at it like this: History walked by me and I brushed up against it.