The Late Ruffian..?

Question

Any other true admirers of this amazing athlete?? What other fillies compare to her in your opinion?

Answer 1

Not a day goes by that I don't think of her, especially when I am at Belmont. She was just beautiful. Behind her another of my all time favorite fillies was Go For Wand. I got up and left the track on that BC day.

Another that doesn't get mentioned alot here in the US is Canadian born and bred Dance Smartly. She won the 1991 Canadian Triple Crown, running against the boys! She was one of the most exciting horses I have seen run. Out of Danzig (Northern Dancer was his sire), she was awesome and has turned out to be a great broodmare.

Answer 2

If you want to know this filly's story from beginning to end, try reading Jane Schwartz's novel called "Ruffian: Burning from the Start". The book is a biography of the filly's life and career, and it tells the story of all the people in her life. It also gives a moment by moment account of what happened on the day of her ill-fated match race against Foolish Pleasure- an event that has NEVER been repeated again since, I might add. There was never another match race after that awful day, which is just as well, if you ask me. Foolish Pleasure went on to have what has been described as a fair to middling career in the breeding shed- and he finally died of old age in 1994.  I have wondered from time to time what might have happened if Ruffian's trainer, Frank Whiteley, had refused to let her run in the match race. The decision would undoubtedly have saved the filly's life- and we would be enjoying watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren run today. It's tragic that such potential was wasted so young.That filly deserved far better than she got.

Answer 3

She was an amazing filly.  Are you going to watch the movie Ruffian tonight?  ABC, 9/8 central.

Answer 4

I am not too familiar with this horse, so do not scream if these aren't in her league.

Winning Colors, Azeri, and Ouija Board.

Answer 5

In terms of sheer brilliance, Landaluce may have come close.  She was an undefeated 2yo who won her five races by over 46 lengths.  Her best remembered performance is this race http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVOEIBIA8... the Hollywood Lassie S.  She led at the head of the stretch by about 2 lengths and just demolished the competition 21 lengths in front by the finish line in 1:08.  She died in the fall of her 2yo year of Colitis X.

Others have mentioned Go For Wand who was exceptional.  You can watch one of her races online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um7B1GZlS... , although her best was probably her Test. S. which she won in 1:21 flat and under wraps.

In her time, Ruffian was often compared to the brilliant mares Twilight Tear http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/twilightte... and Busher http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editorial... .  The two mares were named Horse of the Year in 1944 and 1945, respectively, after brilliant 3yo campaigns that saw them routinely defeat colts and older males.

Of course more recently we saw Personal Ensign, the only mare to go through her career undefeated.  She was 13 for 13 and capped her career with a win in the Breeders' Cup Distaff in 1988 over Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors.  That race is still considered the finest Breeders Cup race in history.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oILJ6IYoZ...

There are far too many other fine fillies and mares to go through, but Ta Wee, Shuvee, Gallorette, Cicada, Lady's Secret, Davona Dale, Bayakoa and Beldame are a few to add.  On the turf we have seen some wonderful champions as well, such as Dahlia, Miesque and All Along, although it is difficult to compare turf runners with dirt.

Answer 6

I absolutely adore Ruffian.  I bought a Ruffian hat and I wear it a lot and tell everyone about her.  I watch her videos on You Tube all the time.  She's just amazing.  I can't wait for the movie tomorrow night.  I hope I'm back in time to watch it...  or else I have to wait until either Sunday night or Monday to see it.

Other fillies...  the biggest one that comes to mind is Genuine Risk who won the Derby in 1980 and ran 2nd in both the Preakness and Belmont.  It takes a gutsy filly to pull off 3 strong performances in a row against the boys.  (interesting note...  Ruffian's jockey rode Genuine Risk.)  

Winning Colors was a good filly (she won the Kentucky Derby in 1988)...  she looked like she might have won the Preakness if the other horse and jockey didn't float her so wide outside...  and she was just really tired for the Belmont.

The only other filly that really comes to mind is Go For Wand...  I don't think she was quite as talented as Ruffian, but she was great too...  she only lost once as a 2 year old (she ran 2nd) and once as a 3 year old (she ran 2nd again... well she lost twice if you count the BC Distaff, but I don't like to count the race if the horse gets injured).

Great question...  I love an opportunity to talk about Ruffian...  It's such a shame that we lost such an amazing horse.

Answer 7

She was so strong and yet small. So great.  Go For Wand comes to mind.