Richard Stone Reeves' painting of Ruffian
NMR Collection
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Ruffian
Dark bay or brown filly foaled in 1972. Died in 1975. By Reviewer-Shenanigans, by Native Dancer
Breeder:
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart S. Janney Jr.
Owner:
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart S. Janney Jr.
Trainer:
Frank Whiteley
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RACE RECORD
| YEAR |
AGE | STARTS |
1ST | 2ND |
3RD | EARNED |
| 1974 | 2 |
5 | 5 |
0 | 0 | $134,073 |
| 1975 | 3 |
6 | 5 |
1 | 0 | $179,356 |
| TOTALS: |
11 | 10 |
1 | 0 | $313,429 |
Ruffian's race record makes her a memorable filly. But, it was her match with Foolish Pleasure that made her one of the best loved horses of recent memory. Ruffian had a habit of leaving behind the best fillies and mares of her era. She won her maiden race by 15 lengths, the Fashion by 6 3/4, the Astoria by 9, the Sorority by 2 1/4, and the Spinaway by 12 3/4. A hairline fracture ended Ruffian's impressive first season.
Ruffian wins the Coaching Club American Oaks
©N.Y.R.A.
When Ruffian returned to racing her winning streak continued with victories in the Comely and in New York's Filly Triple Crown: the Acorn, Mother Goose and Coaching Club American Oaks. She never relinquished the lead in these races.
Ruffian's beauty and speed caused many to demand that she face the best males of her generation. In keeping with the heightened interest in the women's movement of the 1970's, an equine battle of the sexes was arranged between Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure. Ruffian met Foolish Pleasure in a match at Belmont Park in July of 1975. She led the champion colt through a quarter-mile in 22 1/5 seconds before her leg broke. Jockey Jacinto Vasquez fought the filly for fifty yards before bringing her to a halt. Ruffian was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1976. As they say in racing circles when describing a heroic effort: Ruffian had a big heart. Foolish Pleasure may have won the match, but many saw it as a hollow victory.
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