Ruffian was a Thoroughbred racehorse who won ten consecutive races in the 1970s, setting new records and earning the title of American Champion filly at both ages two and three. She was widely regarded as one of the greatest female racehorses of all time, and was ranked as the top filly or mare of the twentieth century by The Blood-Horse magazine. However, her brilliant career came to a sudden and heartbreaking end in July 1975, when she broke down during a highly anticipated match race with Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure. What caused her fatal injury, and what happened after she collapsed on the track? Here is the tragic story of Ruffian’s final race and death.
The Match Race of the Century
The idea of a match race between Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure was sparked by the media and the public, who wanted to see a battle of the sexes between two of the best horses of their generation. Ruffian had dominated the filly division, winning the American Triple Tiara (then known as the Acorn, Mother Goose and Coaching Club American Oaks) by a combined margin of 23 lengths. Foolish Pleasure had won the Kentucky Derby and finished second in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, losing only to Triple Crown winner Avatar.
The match race was scheduled for July 6, 1975, at Belmont Park in New York. It was billed as the “equine equivalent of Billie Jean King versus Bobby Riggs” according to Wikipedia, and attracted a crowd of 50,764 spectators and a national television audience. The race was set for 11⁄2 miles (2.4 km), with Ruffian carrying 121 pounds (55 kg) and Foolish Pleasure carrying 126 pounds (57 kg). Ruffian was the slight favorite at 3–5 odds, while Foolish Pleasure was at 6–5.
The Breakdown
The race started with both horses breaking well from the gate, with Ruffian taking a slight lead over Foolish Pleasure. They raced neck and neck for the first half-mile, setting a fast pace of 46 seconds flat. As they approached the backstretch, Ruffian began to pull away from her rival, opening up a length advantage.
But then, disaster struck. According to FOX Sports, Ruffian shattered two bones in her right front leg, causing her to stumble and lose her balance. Her jockey, Jacinto Vasquez, tried to pull her up, but she refused to stop running. She continued to run on three legs for another 50 yards, tearing her skin and flesh from her hoof to her shoulder. Vasquez finally managed to jump off her back and catch her head, while Foolish Pleasure’s jockey, Braulio Baeza, slowed down his horse and crossed the finish line alone.
The scene was horrifying for everyone who witnessed it. Ruffian was in excruciating pain, bleeding profusely from her leg. She had tears streaming down her face, indicating that horses have lachrymal glands according to FOX Sports. An equine ambulance arrived quickly and transported her to a nearby barn, where a team of veterinarians waited to perform emergency surgery.
The Surgery and Euthanasia
The surgery lasted for more than three hours, during which Ruffian’s shattered bones were removed and replaced with metal pins and plates. She also suffered a dislocated elbow from her fall, which was also repaired. The operation seemed successful at first, but things took a turn for the worse when Ruffian woke up from anesthesia.
According to LiquiSearch, Ruffian reacted violently to the cast on her leg, thrashing and kicking with such force that she broke her other front leg and reopened her wounds. She also damaged her nerves and blood vessels, causing severe internal bleeding. The veterinarians tried to calm her down with sedatives, but it was too late. Ruffian had done more harm to herself than anyone could repair.
The medical team, knowing that Ruffian would probably not survive more extensive surgery for her leg and elbow, euthanized her shortly afterward according to LiquiSearch. She was only three years old.
The Legacy
Ruffian’s death shocked and saddened the racing world and beyond. She was buried at Belmont Park’s infield near the finish line, with her nose pointing towards the spot where she broke down. Her epitaph reads: “Here lies greatness.” She was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1976, becoming one of the youngest horses ever to receive that honor.
Ruffian’s legacy lives on in many ways. She inspired several books, documentaries, and a 2007 film based on her life and career. She also influenced the breeding industry, as many of her descendants became successful racehorses and sires, including Risen Star, Pine Bluff, Fusaichi Pegasus, and Eight Belles. She is still widely regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, and her name is synonymous with courage, speed, and beauty.
Ruffian’s final race and death also raised awareness and concern about the welfare and safety of racehorses, especially in match races. Many people criticized the match race as a publicity stunt that put unnecessary pressure and risk on the horses. Some also blamed Ruffian’s breakdown on her aggressive running style, her large size, or her medication. However, none of these factors have been proven to be the cause of her injury, which was most likely a freak accident that could have happened to any horse at any time.
Ruffian’s story is a tragic one, but also a remarkable one. She was a horse who gave everything she had on the track, and never let anyone or anything stop her from running. She was a champion who captured the hearts and minds of millions of people, and left an indelible mark on the history of horse racing. She was Ruffian, and she will never be forgotten.
