Ruffian Spinaway Stakes

This is from my collection of research material. I tried to brighten up the picture and clean up the sound as best I could on this rather worn out tape. This is the race Lucien Lauren had watched and was widely quoted afterwards about Ruffian possibly being better than Secretariat.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• ruffian
• spinaway
• stakes
• thoroughbred
• racing
• race
• horse
• horses

[crazedweazels]

Do you have anything on the match race, with real race audio in it? I'd be interested in watching that...

[oktahahorses]

I don't have the complete match race, but I do have a clip of the point of breakdown along with the track announcer's call. I used part of that clip in the video with my song "The Great Match." I'll try and remember to dig that clip out later, and post it with the call. With the holidays coming up, I haven't been getting around to anything new to post of late. :)

[oktahahorses]

I should have added that this race was a true demonstration of her speed and stamina. At the point the jockey turned her loose, she had an 8 length lead, in the short span to the finish line, she increased her lead by 5, winning by 13 lengths and setting a new stakes record.

[oktahahorses]

If you haven't read the book about Ruffian by Jane Schwartz, you should check it out. The stories surounding her races are great, and offer a lot of insight into what actually happened. In this case, I don't think Jacinto was riding. Frank Whitely had told the jockey of this race to take it easy with her, which he did. However, his curiosity got the best of him, and he turned her loose near the finish, which was the reason for the sudden burst of speed at the end.

[wildredvixen]

She was amazing...such blazing speed. She is the true meaning of a champion. I love you, Ruffian.

[ruffchamp1]

people forget..in this race ruffian ran the fastest 6f EVER by a 2yo male or female at saratoga....pretty amazing considering the likes of secretariat,man o war,dr fager,affirmed, native dancer etc.. ran there..and ruffian was faster than all of them...she had the speed of a dr fager or a seattle slew and the stamina of a secretariat...absolutely amazing

[bri6760]

I saw Ruffian live at the Coaching Club American Oaks, later on in 1995, people dont remember this was a very strong group of fillies, Copernica (One eyed Filly) was actually higher rated early on as was Hot n'Nasty, You had Sir Ivors Sorrow and Point in time, as well as Laughing bridge. Ruffian beat them all and beat them handily. One reason records where shattered, as this group could fly, Ruffian was just faster...

[okgal888]

Ruffian was breezin! In most of her races the jockeys were instructed to hold her back some! What an amazing filly . . . what an amazing equine . . . no matter the gender!

[RidingWithRuffian]

This was probably her best race.

[BE109]

Look at how she won with complete ease. That mare would run as fast as you needed, but nobody could stay with her! That my friends is one of the great ones!

[k7m4]

haha! that was funny, the camera couldnt even see her in the end. geese that would of been a match race, secretariat and ruffian, secretariat is a much better horse than foolish pleasure ever was.

[shutterbug29]

Thanks for sharing this with us. She sure was something else.

[crazedweazels]

Thanks, that'd be greatly appreciated, to be able to hear the actual call. I'm a glutton for punishment on that sort of thing. ;p Can't be helped. lol. Enjoy the holidays!