As a two year old in 1974, Ruffian made her presence known by winning her first race by 15 lengths in track record time. In every race she ran, Ruffian led her competitors from the staring gates to the finish line. She set stakes records in each of the eight stakes races she won and set two track records.
Ruffian won the Sorority Stakes with a freshly popped splint. A ‘popped splint’ can be either inflammation of the ligament that runs between the cannon (shin) bone and a smaller bone known as the splint bone or it can be a small fracture of the splint bone itself. While a popped splint is a minor injury, it can be very painful and impedes a horse’s performance. Ruffian set a stakes record despite the injury she suffered during the race.
In another record setting performance, Ruffian suffered a hairline fracture to a hind leg on her way to victory. It seemed that nothing could slow the champion filly down, but the mounting injuries were beginning to take a toll on her body. Horses are large animals but many of the bones in their body are extremely fragile.
In 1974, Ruffian was named Champion Two-Year-Old Filly and the following year she won the Triple Tiara and was crowned Champion Three-Year-Old Filly. The Triple Tiara, also known as the Triple Crown for fillies, then consisted of the Acorn Stakes, Mother Goose Stakes and the Coaching Club American Oaks.
EZ Horse Betting Fun Fact
There is nothing “fun” about this EZ Horse Betting fact. Horseracing involves risk to the horse and rider. Many horses and jockeys have given their lives on the racetrack. You can watch Ruffian’s final race and interviews with trainer Frank Whitely, Jr. and jockey Jacinto Vasquez here.
Ruffian’s final race was a highly publicized match race against 1975 Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure held at Belmont Park on July 6, 1975. Jacinto Vasquez was the regular rider for both Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure. He chose to ride the filly against the colt. Just 3/8 of a mile into the race as Ruffian began to pull ahead of her foe, the unthinkable happened. Both riders heard a loud cracking sound as bones in Ruffian’s right front leg snapped. Despite this horrific injury, Ruffian refused to quit running. Vasquez tried as hard as he could to stop her. She continued fighting her rider in order to run on, pulverizing her bones and ripping the skin from her ankle. Ruffian’s ligaments were torn and her hoof dangled by the skin that remained.
Ruffian was rushed to an equine hospital and underwent emergency surgery. As the anesthesia started to wear off, Ruffian began thrashing wildly on the floor of the padded recovery room as if she were still running the race. Despite the efforts of numerous attendants, Ruffian spun in circles on the floor. While she flailed about she broke her other leg and dislodged the cast, doing further damage to the initial injury.
The decision was made at 2:00 am on July 7, 1975 to humanely euthanize the mighty Ruffian. She is buried in the infield at Belmont Park with her nose facing the finish line. All of the stakes records set by Ruffian except one remain unbroken to this day. Trainer Frank Whitely, Jr. kept Ruffian’s stall empty throughout the remainder of his career.
Hope you enjoyed your visit to EzHorseBetting.com take a minute to also check our Bovada racebook review, Twinspires review or even our Betamerica review as they are all great choice if you are in the United States. 5Dimes review for folks anywhere!
rubyangel
Every time I find an article online about this legendary filly, knowing what happened to her breaks my heart every time. The only horse I believe that could match her was the mighty Secretariat. Lucien Lauren, Big Red’s trainer, got into hot water once when he said “As God as my judge, she may be even better than Secretariat.” Lauren told reporters that after watching Ruffian win the Spinaway in record time.
ezhorsebetting
You are exactly right! This comment caused Lauren to receive his share of criticism. One can only appreciate the respect he must have had for the great filly. If anyone was in a position to claim that she was better than Secretariat, it was Lucien Lauren.
Thanks for a great comment and visit us again soon!
rubyangel
You’re very welcome! Thank you for having your site. I really appreciate it when people give Ruffian her due. I’d take Mr. Lauren’s word about her ability, no question. He should know. I understand Penny Tweedy was not happy about that comment either, but he was honest. I’ve seen too many over the years dismiss Ruffian as ‘over-rated’ or other such nonsense. I suspect those folks either were too young to see her race or they are old enough to have lost money on her. I don’t bet, but I was privileged to follow her career and I cried when she died.
I see you have an article about another one of my favorites, the infamous Zippy Chippy, He Who Always Finishes Last. I’ve bookmarked your site. I’ll be back soon.
ezhorsebetting
Thanks! If there are any other horses you would like to see added to our pages please feel free to share them and we will see what we can do!
Denni A
I am always at a loss for words when it comes to the tragedy of Ruffian even after all these years. she was the most beautiful and graceful horse to ever live. her speed and her heart were unmatched. I am of the utmost certainty she would have beaten Foolish Pleasure handily. we got a female golden retriever/collie puppy some month’s after Ruffian’s death and named her “Ruffian” in Ruffian’s honor and memory. so sad even to this day.
ezhorsebetting
Denni,
This is such a touching story. Thank you for sharing your personal tribute to the greatest filly in the history of thoroughbred racing.
If you haven’t seen it we would highly recommend the movie Ruffian starring Sam Shepard as trainer Frank Whitely, Jr. and a stellar cast of real jockeys. The film was shot on location at Louisiana Downs and a nearby training facility which was turned into the backside barn areas of Saratoga, Belmont Park, and Monmouth Park for the filming! The film deeply explores Whitely’s concerns about Ruffian competing in the contest that ended her life.
Denni A
thanks ez, I did see that movie. I wonder with the new orthopedic technology of today if anything could have been done to save Ruffian. we had a picture of her hanging on our kitchen pantry door. everyone cried that horrible day.
Bet Thoroughbreds
I love Ruffian! Great Horse but sad ending.
ezhorsebetting
Thanks for reading guys. We love her, too. Thanks for stopping by to say hello.
Brittany Ritenour
Ruffian and Zenyatta are my two favorite race horses of all. I wonder how she would be incomparison Secratariat.