Horse Racing Fantasy Community

I can not look furthur . In my mind she was a horse racing super star. Tough as they came and just out right wanted to win. She loved to race and was all heart . I miss her so much . I always woder what her off spring would of been like . She is my pick for best female race horse . I also love ridding her in the game . She will be out with the greatest horses of the 70's file (female race horses) I know you guys will have a blst ridding her .

Ruffian!!! Broke stake records in almost every race. Uncomparable balance of speed and stamina. There has been some great fillies but I believe this one runs'em off there feet everytime.

She was a "freak" if there ever was one! Notice those fractions she was setting

~~~~~~~~
May they all come home safely!!!

She was an unbelievable horse.
Randy Romero said he thought Personal Ensign was better than Ruffian, but I think we all know she would've had NO chance against the coal black filly.

OMG RUFFIAN WAS THE BEST OF THE BEST!!!!! she wass the worlds sgreatest filly and she was a winner until one race against the kentucky derby winner where she raced and ahd a great start but all the suddenshe took one bad sstep and it ended her racing carrer, her fame, her life. There was no way to save ruffian cosidering her leg was hanging off of her with just muscle and she would jave died of blood loss. So before they euthanized horses they shot her dead right on the track.

She was an amazing horse there was nothing and no one like her and she willed alwayxz be remembered by many people and many racing lovers..!!!!!!!!!!!!

R.I.P. Ruffian<3

If I was forced to pick the best filly ever, I'd have to say Ruffian too. As far as Personal Ensign not having a chance against her, I doubt this very much. They were both great racehorses. Go For Wand too. I have this tragic race of her ( Go For wand ) recorded on a VHS tape. Never been able to watch it though. I have many races from the past, recorded on tape.

I'd like to make a correction to what another member said on this thread. When Ruffian broke down, they put an air splint on her leg. This was on the back stretch.Then, they transported her in a horse ambulance, ( I saw all of this on TV that day )off the track and to the animal hospital where they repaired her broken bones during a long surgery. Being a very fractious filly, she re-broke those bones upon waking and it was then that the needle was put to her. She wasn't put down at the track, in front of the crowd. Certainly a gun wasn't used. In my lifetime of horse racing, I've never seen, or heard of them shooting a horse that broke his/her leg. It's always been with a needle. Thought it important to have the facts correct.

Ruffian left no doubt that she was the Best Female of all time. I agree that had she lived there is no telling what she would have produced. With the sires that were available to her at the time of her death, man oh man the super stars she may have produced. There is a topic, who would she have been bred to? Who would you have bred her to? I would have to say Northern Dancer. Gus

easily over Personal Ensign,who holds a clear second.
A very underrated choice by most that I will take for 3rd is Dance Smartly

I'd probably go along with Ruffian as the greatest female ever, but with some reservations. She only raced against her own age and sex until the fateful match race. But Lordy, she was fast! Not only did she win every race, she was never behind at any call of any race until she broke down. Personal Ensign, on the other hand, won the Whitney against the boys (including eventual Breeders Cup Sprint winner Gulch), and showed tremendous courage in her final start at the Breeders Cup on a track she didn't care for. And who knows how fast Personal Ensign would have been had she not injured her leg and required all those screws to be implanted in her.

Go for Wand was also a brilliant Champion with tremendous heart, and her final race with Bayakoa was truly one of the greatest races of all time until her breakdown. Those two were at each others throatlatch from the first quarter mile of the race on. I was at Belmont Park that day, sitting right at the sixteenth pole, and it still bothers me to think of what happened... we were all so happy and excited and cheering like maniacs and then 'it' happened. Damned if it doesn't sober you up quickly to see something like that. What a coincidence though, that these three females considered to perhaps the greatest ever, all broke down.

I thought Go For Wand was terrific,but I would rate her a little lower than some.
Her opposition was far from stellar except for the tragic Distaff vs Bayakoa and a few victories over Charon.....

I am not saying Go For Wand was not a top notch filly,I just dont think she is up to the quality of my top three.

Ruffian is the best racehorse of all time. Secretariat's trainer said she was better then Secretariat.

if I would go that far,but it is all subjective.
But the best Female ever,I agree with that...

I would say Ruffian was truly the best, with Go for Wand being close second. Both of these remarkable fillies tried to run, even with a broken leg. And it truly says something that Ruffian still won despite having a broken leg!

RIP Ruffian and Go for Wand

Kara, I like your choices. But I must make a correction. Ruffian broke her leg after running only approx. 1/4 mile in the Match race against, Foolish Pleasure. This was on the back stretch and she was pulled up and eventually an air cast was put on her and then she was trailered off in a horse ambulance. She didn't win, nor did she cross the finish line that day.
Go For Wand was about to win as they were in mid stretch near the finish line when she broke her leg. She didn't finish her last race either. I have a VHS tape recording of that race. I've never been able to watch it.

First of all, I think Genuine Risk belongs in this discussion too. She'd run herself so hard that she'd lie down sleeping in her stall for 2 days after her races. She never finished worse than 3rd and she would have won 2 legs of the crown but for Cordero whipping her in the eye after floating her out 10 wide on the turn into the stretch.

Ruffian was the best filly, if not the best horse, ever. She never lost a race. No one was even ever in front of her... she was ahead at every point of call in every race. She won at every distance from a sprint to a mile and a half. She set fast fractions and final times without ever being asked... she wasn't whipped, she wasn't challenged... she was just that good. She was so competitive that she'd run horses down in her workouts. One day she was finishing her workout and another horse got loose and went running off... when Ruffian saw it, she broke into a gallop and wouldn't let her rider pull her up until she had passed the loose horse.

Zenyatta's the closest thing to Ruffian that I've seen in my lifetime. She too understands the game. When she breaks from the gate, she stands there a second and lets the other horses get a head start. Then she toys with them before finally inhaling them in the stretch. When she does finally decide to run on, she looks like she moves effortlessly... she looks like she's just in an extended canter and she flicks her ears around to hear the crowd. She has quite a different running style than Ruffian, but they're quite similar in their size and race records. I'd love to see how a race between the two of them would play out. I'm so thankful that Zenyatta will race as a 5 year old. I hope she runs against the boys next year, all year, not just in the BC Classic. If she does and remains undefeated after running in things like the BC Classic, Santa Anita Handicap, Pacific Classic, etc, then I'd be willing to say she's the best filly ever.

Kristen, your points are valid and very well taken. Difficult to find fault with your reasoning. It has always bothered me how the incident that you describe with Cordero was never dealt with. That was the biggest deliberate faul that I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.

Ruffian certainly belongs among the best of all-time and, as much as I like her, I think Zenyatta, Gallorette, Azeri, Lady's Secret, Bayakoa, Regret, Beldame, Busher, Twilight Tear, Princess Rooney, and Miss Woodford deserve consideration. Many of those raced against and beat the boys with regularity.
How about the turf fillies? Zarkava is a great one, along with Ouija Board, Pebbles, Pretty Polly (some claim she is the best filly ever!!), not to mention the mighty Kincsem who won 54 in a row and never lost!!! These European fillies consistently raced against the boys, something our fillies are usually reluctant to do.
Just a few thoughts to consider.

lady's secret,winning colors, all great as well; but the vry best may well be Zendaya

My knowledge of racing history is pretty limited, but of all the fillies/mares I've seen, I'd have to say Ruffian is the best.

In my opinion, Ruffian is still the best filly racer there has ever been, watching her run is very humbling. Wish I could of seen her run in person. But as far as I'm concerned, shes the best, and it will take one hell of a horse to even compare to her.

--rebelchild

For argument sakes and not to go with the flow...how bout Urban Sea or Akiyada ?

Ruffian, but you absolutely cannot knock Go for Wand, Personal Ensign, Genuine Risk, Winning Colors, and even now Zenyatta. When you've got a tremendous filly, it seems that they give you everything they have every time.

Personal Ensign. Don't even have to think about it. She never lost a race, she beat males, and she beat Winning Colors at her favorite track.
Of course there are many others who would give her a run for her money like Ruffian, Bayakoa, Azeri, and not to mention, Zenyatta.

I know when talking about best horse ever the easy thing to do is go to the past and think of a Ruffian, or Winning colors who won the kentucky derby, but right now the best female horse may be Zenyatta. Right now she is Undefeted, and has won on dirt polytrack and proride surfaces. not only does she win she wins big. She will not be retired this year so maybe we can see her run against the boys next year and solidify her place in history.

For me, to attempt to accurately voice my opinion to who is the best, I'd have to have the past performance record for each horse sitting in front of me so that I could carefully consider and weigh all of the facts and variables.
Times of races, speed ratings and weight carried to name but a few variables, would certainly be key factors. Who she beat certainly ranks high. Graded Stakes races and money won are of prime importance. Of course distances must be considered. Too many variables to list them all.

Too bad we will never see Zarkava vs Zenyatta! (EXCEPT in this game, and hopefully soon!!) Of course, Zarkava only ran on the turf while Zenyatta ran on dirt and synthetic. But seeing as how the Europeans handled the synthetic at Santa Anita this year, Zarkava would probably run well. One of these two great fillies would lose, but which one??!!

BTW, I saw that Zenyatta's trainer says he does not believe in running fillies against the boys so it is unlikely that we will see Zenyatta against the boys next year.

I wish I could have seen her race

She won all her races with such ease and large margins and set track records or equaled them almost every time. No way any horse of her time could've beaten her, and no horse today either. She was raw talent, a real freak of nature. Love ya big girl, may you rest in peace.
109367CW

I was fortunate to talk to Mr. Whiteley about Ruffian. He still regretted running her in the match race, of course, but he was adamant about her being the 'best horse he'd ever seen or trained, a real freak.' I don't think she had a fair chance in the match only because match races in general are dangerous. You are asking a lot of two horses. They run full bore around the track and there is no time for a breather. I think Zev's match race against Papyrus was the only exeption, he came from behind and won.

Anna, I agree with your words and have felt this way most of my life. I saw the tragic race on TV that day when Ruffian's life came to an end. For what? They were both good horses. Nothing to prove.
I think it's the media that pushes for match races. Heck, they were even talking about Big Brown and Curlin this year. The horses involved in match races try too hard, every inch of the way and like you said, it's very dangerous.
I could say more, but I won't. I know they're appealing to some, but not to me. I think of the danger involved and I really don't think they prove that the winner is a better horse than the loser.

I am a Go for Wand fan so I am standing behind her. But there are many great fillies out there who earn that distinction. One that comes to mind is Serena's Song. I saw her beat the boys (one of two times) in the Jim Beam Stakes and I thought that she made a valiant effort in the Derby that year also. So she should not be left out. But in my heart every filly that gets out there and runs is one of the greatest.

I would say Ruffian, I remember her well.....

personal ensign

a class above the rest

Without a doubt in my mind Ruffian. She had it all...intelligence, speed, stamina, courage... She was a Knock Out...She dominated her competition, breaking them down and breaking their hearts. She was under a hand ride while equalling and breaking records left and right.. She was beating Foolish Pleasure when she broke down....she had him right where she wanted him and there's no doubt in my mind she would have worn him out mentally and physically just like she did the fillies in the Oaks.. He didn't have the class to hold up to her for any distance...
Ruffian is joined by some truly GREAT GREAT fillies...but SHE is the standard bearer...
may they all RIP..

On a side note....the movie they made about her was a horrendous injustice to her and her memory...

I enjoyed the movie made about her and thought it displayed her image in a possitive way and attracted more people to the great filly she was. It gave them solid information and was pretty accurate. It showed all the love she had from her trainer, owners, jockey, and even her barn staff that were with her from the time she got off the truck. She was a wonderful horse and that movie portrayed that.

I enjoyed the movie made about her and thought it displayed her image in a possitive way and attracted more people to the great filly she was. It gave them solid information and was pretty accurate. It showed all the love she had from her trainer, owners, jockey, and even her barn staff that were with her from the time she got off the truck. She was a wonderful horse and that movie portrayed that.

General,
I appreciate your comments about the movie.... First thing I want to say is; I'm really impressed by your handicapping skills...I've been reading some of your stuff and it looks like you've got a bright future ahead of you......Anyway, back to the movie.....there were some definite creative licenses taken in making that movie.....which is part of why Frank Whitely and Jacinto Vasquez both refused to be a part of it. In my opinion it left alot to be desired in showing just how GREAT she was.... if the movie had been anything like Jane Schwartz book, then it would have given Ruffian her due justice.

Take Care,
Josh

I definitley say Ruffian. She was the best of the best of the fillies of the time.

Ruffian! One Bad Ass Bitch!!!!1

I will say it again -- Kincsem, the Hungarian mare who raced across Europe in the 19th Century. She started in 54 races and won 54 races, taking on all comers, including the males. No filly -- or horse -- will ever come close to that record.

Glad to see others tapped into the history of thoroughbred horse racing. When we do this, we make others aware of these champions from the past and forever, keep their names alive. Kincsem should be known, respected and loved by all. This gal won 54 races from 54 starts and remained undefeated. Think about that.
I'd like to advise all of you HRA folks to read books covering this sport from the beginning to now. Do daily searches on the Internet. As an example, type in Kincsem and learn something about this great horse from the past, as Patrick and I have.
OH, I know Ken Black knows about these horses too, as he's very much into pedigrees, as I am and I'm sure Patrick is. Thank You, Pat for sharing your feelings about Kincsem. Certainly one of the best thoroughbreds of all times.

Does anyone have Pepper's Pride on their top 5 list? North American Record holder for consecutive wins is a pretty nice title and should carry some clout.....

I've commented positively on Pepper's Pride on this forum more than once. Sure she deserves to be honored, but she isn't of the class caliber of horses such as , Ruffian and Winning Colors and Personal Ensign. Even her owner and trainer will tell you that. To gain top honors one must be a Grade 1 stakes winner. This, she isn't.

Ruffian.
-Booboo

Remember the Belmont Stakes.." down the stretch they come"..
going heads with Curlin...

how do u race and how do u get a horse am new

Easy there tiger, Mr Lauren said that she "MAY" have been better "at this point" in her 2 year old season!

I think Zenyatta should be mentioned in here as well as Pebbles. However, I do feel Personal Ensign was the best.

If any of her compition could talk they would say "Bitch is fast"..lol..