2007-01-29 11:52:22 · 8 answers · asked by JUDY H 1 in Sports ➔ Horse Racing
July 6, 1975 is the day that ended Ruffian's life. As has been said, she broke down in a match race with Foolish Pleasure, that year's Kentucky Derby winner. After she injured herself beyond saving coming out of surgery, her pain was ended very early in the morning of July 7, 1975. She was buried whole in the infield of Belmont Park with her nose pointed toward the finish line. How great was she? She tied or broke race and/or track records every time she ran. Most telling of her greatness was how Lucien Lauren (Secretariat's trainer) described her after seeing her run. Mr. Lauren said "God as my witness, she may be better than Secretariat." May she never be forgotten. She died doing what she wanted to do, run and run in the lead (she was ahead of Foolish Pleasure when her leg broke).
2007-01-30 00:48:48 · answer #1 · answered by lee3620111 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She broke down in a match race in 1975. She did not run in any of the Triple Crown races, but she could have possibly won all 3 if she had.
For example, her time in the Coaching Club American Oaks was 2:27:4/5 at 1-1/2 miles at Belmont. The winner of the 1975 Belmont Stakes (also a mile and a half) was Avatar in 2:28:1/5.
She was probably the best filly ever, but no-one will know for sure.
Jane Schwartz wrote an excellent biography of Ruffian, called Ruffian: Burning From the Start.
Also, ESPN has made a movie (I think based on the above book) that will air this year around the time for the Belmont Stakes.
2007-01-30 03:32:59 · answer #2 · answered by H_A_V_0_C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ruffian was a great champion, and I can still recall watching the match with Foolish Pleasure and hearing the announcer saying over and over again "Ruffian has broken down! Ruffian has broken down!"
I have heard some vets say that if the injuries to Ruffian had happened today, 30 years later, she would more than likely have been saved. I do know that we've learned a lot about saving horses with catastrophic breakdown injuries, there's so much more we can do today that we couldn't do then.
While Ruffian had no offspring to carry on, her 3/4 sister, Laughter by Bold Ruler, has several daughters who have carried on the bloodline.
Ruffian was a beautiful filly and the depths of her talent were still unknown when she died.
2007-01-30 04:41:51 · answer #3 · answered by Karin C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, I think you are a little sick. First of all, many racehorses, after they have reached the end of their racing life, go on to be breeders. If they have good lines, even if they didn't win a lot, they are used for breeding more racehorses. Others may be adopted. I even have a friend who adopted a thoroughbred who lived a long and healthy life, and had never been raced much to begin with. (She has some funny stories about him too.) Greyhounds can be adopted. There are some wonderful adoption and rescue programs for greyhounds (and the greyhound racing industry has a horrible rep). If we ever decide to get a dog (right now we have 3 cats) we will adopt a couple of greyhounds. They make wonderful pets, they are very sweet animals. My favorite description of a greyhound as a pet is the "40 mile-per-hour couch potato." And I have had the privilege of meeting some really wonderful, sweet adopted greyhounds.
2016-03-29 08:52:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people say she was the greatest filly in racing history. Tied the track record in her maiden race, beat out records set by Secretariat and Man 'O War. She was undefeated in 10 races out of 10, most of them top filly stakes races. Her 11th race was a match race with Foolish Pleasure (1975 Derby Winner, colt) in which she snapped her right foreleg but kept running for another 50 yards before her jockey managed to pull her up. Surgeons operated on the leg, but she injured herself further upon coming out of anesthesia and had to be put down. Check out Wikipedia or the source biography for more info.
2007-01-29 12:37:44 · answer #5 · answered by petzjazz 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
She was arguably 1 of the best female horses ever. Lots of records (even compared to male records) She got injured in a match race w/ a male named Foolish Pleasure. She did not want to lose to any horse. She was so game & full of heart, that she even tried to continue running after she snapped her leg. I feel that was her demise; heart! Thoroughbreds are born to run & that's what she did...right to the end. Thanks for bringing up a great memory..even if it is a sad one.
2007-01-29 18:43:05 · answer #6 · answered by Charles H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Now there is a TRUE Hero, she was a great horse. I am sooo glad you brought her up.
2007-01-29 12:08:58 · answer #7 · answered by gg 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
And your question is.......
2007-01-30 05:53:51 · answer #8 · answered by elgil 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋