Ruffian taught us some very hard lessons about racing and treating race injuries. Her breakdown was the reason Barbaro even had the chance that he did. And she was the last racehorse in America who would lose her life because of a match race. Match racing had already been criticized for its tendency to hyperfocus equine athletes who, if it weren't for their diligent jockeys, would happily run themselves to death. Ruffian was one of those who would've killed herself on the racetrack if given the chance. She didn't like being pulled up even after breaking her leg. She didn't understand what she'd done wrong that she wasn't being allowed to beat that colt. Match races are intended to showcase horses with just her type of fiery spirit, and match races are deadliest to horses with just that type of spirit. They couldn't be allowed to continue. Not after Ruffian.
Mr Nack loved the horses and the sport and is truly missed as is the two beautiful horses Ruffian and Barbaro!! no matter how long the horses are with us it’s never long enough!!
Bill brings a romance to our sport like no other I have known, I could listen to him all day, certainly here in the uk there has never been one like him.
These horses were not "teenagers" they were babies--as all the Thoroughbreds are in racing--they "break down" because they are being raced TOO YOUNG. Their joints are not fully formed yet. There are thousands of lesser-known cases like Ruffian and Barbaro who are ruined by being run too soon, too fast--all because of human greed. It's a shame and tragedy Thoroughbred racing is not more stringently monitored--if only they would pass a rule that says horses must be 4 or 5 years before racing.
Kimberley Freeman I know I'm replying late but you are 100% correct. Horses can live up to 30 years and they're racing at 2. Looking at thoroughbred racing they should be allowed to mature then be raced. Example 1: Zenyatta
Actually they are teenagers at 3. Horses are mature and sexually active adults at 4 years old. I agree with you but I just wanted to correct you on that.
And human greed? You will put in more money then making it unless you are on the breeding end. You do realize how much it costs to keep a horse sound? I spent just 4,000 3 months ago to have a sinus drainage procedure on our silver bay mare. Antibiotics were 200.
"Ruffian was a portrait of grace..." She was the definition of speed and beauty, a staggering filly, ready to throw herself to run her life out. I guess it was written in the stars, or just an unpredictable moment, which for-shadowed the calamity of her breakdown. On the other side we had the handsome young Colt, developing in every race to offer his lovers something legendary, something spiritual, something unbelievable. I guess all we can do is thank history - FOR GIVING US RUFFIAN AND BARBARO
Ruffian was my greatest filly my hero along with Secretariat and Riva Ridge. This is a tremendous tribute to Ruffian and Barboro both left us much too soon . ❤❤🙏🙏🤣🤣😇😇
Ruffian never looked like she was racing, she looked like it was a breeze run, I didn't see her race, but I checked the book out from the school library an cried every time, still do, (not at school library) she was soo fast, elegant an beautiful...
Barbaro is still my favorite racehorse ever. The best? He didn't get to prove it, and no horse can touch Man O War, Secretariat, and Ruffian. He was considered by many, at the time, to be the second coming. Whether that is true or not we'll never know, but he certainly possessed the possibility.
It's so crazy how insanely huge both horses were. Ruffian and Barbaro are both my favorite race horses of all time. They were both so talented and so beautiful!
I agree totally. I have the 2010 edition of the Secretariat book by Mr. Nack, updated for the movie. He has added some material through the years, and in one section where he describes the day Secretariat retired to stud and Claiborne, and also where he talks describes his death, brings tears to my eyes everytime I read it. Mr. Nack's writing is so vivid it is almost like you are right there alongside. It is amazing. He is a storyteller that's for sure.
Thank you Bill. I remember Ruffian because I followed her career. She was a stunner. A gorgeous filly. I couldn’t believe it when she broke her leg and eventually was euthanized. I’ll always wonder what could have been.
I remember watching Barbaro break down live..I was sitting with my parents in our living room, as we did every year when the great “Triple Crown” races aired…I screamed and stared crying…my mom held me, my dad was trying to build me up by telling me that everything would be ok, that they pulled him up early enough, etc etc. vivid memory. Years later I learned all about Ruffian and fell in love with her.
If I'd had the money to buy Ruffian, I would not have raced her. I would have kept her as a pet. She deserved a lovlier life than racing for big bucks.
Always a beautiful narration by Bill Nack. Also, the way Barbaro looks at the camera...a lot of horses just don't do that. You know the look of eagles when you see it.
The trainer of Secretariat, Lucien Laurin, said to the press, "As God as my witness, she may even be better than Secretariat." To me, that says it all-Ruffian was the Greatest Race Horse of ALL TIME. Period.
Ruffian was a physical freak. She was a gorgeous, powerful, and swift mare who could outrun any colt of her day. Sadly, she literally ran herself to death.
I've always said Ruffian was a disaster waiting to happen. Both her sire and dam were notoriously unsound. I have loved racing for several decades now, but having that longtime outlook, I have major criticisms of it. Racing itself is not inherently cruel. These horses LOVE their jobs and often get depressed without one, much like a border collie. But my BIGGEST criticism of this sport is the breeding industry breeding unsound for the sake of speed, and Ruffian was one of its major casualties. She was indeed a freak of nature, a wonder to behold, but she should never have been been conceived in the first place.
Well expressed thougths. Ruffian wanted to be born, she had to be; every animal that is born wants to be born no matter the conditions or cirumstances. Ruffian's death sent a message to the entire world about horse-racing; perhaps that was her greatest gift and ultimately her legacy. I am completely new to horse-racing. I disagree with the horse racing industry and racing like that, in general. Horses are animals with feelings, personalities, families (taken from them), and friends. I am learning about horses via Horse Plus (in Tennessee) and Clever Cowgirl, two RUclips channels that shed light on horses and rehabilitation. Horse Pluse rescues many horses from the "slaughter pipeline" in which various race horses have been sent. It is horrendous what is done to these horses, shipped out of the USA to Canada and Mexico for horsemeat consumption. Many horses are neglected in the UK, too, as World Horse Welfare shows in their videos. So what is the point? Horses are magnificent creatures who could well enough be left alone, pretty much, to enjoy life. Hats off to Old Friends who takes in retired race horses. The owner said that the horses are allowed to be themselves and that their personalities really come through there. oldfriendsequine.org/
Anytime anyone gets a chance to listen to Bill Nack speak on something, or read something he has inked into paper, they should. He is a throwback, the closest thing to Grantland Rice, perhaps even better.
We don't know that we don't know if he would have won the Preakness and why can't anyone give AP any credit he won the triple crown and the classic u have no idea if Barbaro would have won because their success is lightly comparable
Barbaro lives on! My fiancee has his full-blooded sister (Free Entertainment, AKA: "Pebbles") and is breeding her next year. Just like Queen Ruffian, Eight and Barbaro, her Native Dancer blood (and the former owner starting her too early) resulted in her retirement after becoming lame after only a couple of races as a 2 Y/O due to insufficient leg bone/joint strength for her size (now 17.1 hds like her Dam, Dynaformer) and power. She's a pasture Queen now, but soon she may birth a little Barbaro.
Horses are usually born mid april. However. January 1 they are considered a "yearling". Training starts at 16 months.... but they are actually just a year old. They are Not adults
@HorseAddict16 And they both helped the medical field learn more about saving horses. Because of Ruffian, the recovery pool which they used for Barbaro, was invented. Hopefully what they learned on Barbaro can help find a cure for laminitis.
you can google pedigreequery, type in Ruffian's name in box in upper left hand corner and see her pedigree. I have a paperback on her background and story. I managed to read through a full description of what went on in the barn where they tried hopelessly to save her. It was one of the most painful things I've ever read. Book is Ruffian, Burning From the Start by Jane Schwartz. You can get it on Amazon.
That was after her Spinaway victory. However, later on, Lucien admitted he may have gotten carried away. Nack was asked about comparing them (which you really can't do), and he suggested Ruffian might have been able to beat Sec in a mile race, but going long distances, Sec wld've beaten her. The tragedy is R's line of heritage, sire and dam had fragile bones, both broke legs and had to be put down. Wld have to research again for specific names, but do know S's sire Bold Ruler was R's granddad.
Breaks your heart. To young to be racing. Or any serious action. Money hungary people disrespecting the horse. As a horse owner , can't approve of this abuse.
PLEASE ! These ” BABIES “ ARE RUN HARD BEFORE THEIR TIME . THOROUGHBREDS WERE BRED DIFFERENTLY BACK WHEN THEY COULD RUN ALL DAY. ( THEY HAD MORE BONE AND WERE MORE STURDY) ITS ALL FOR ( GREED AND PRESTIGE) “”Mind you there are a minority of owners who care for their animals while racing and afterwards. Credit is given where it’s due.””
my little eventer I don’t believe ruffian was better then secretariat but she would have for sure gave him a run for his money. Now her and Barbaro are pretty even I think she would definitely win tho. she always leads and try’s her best to keep her lead she will not let a horse catch her for to long... Barbaro was good. But you can’t let a horse with speed like that run home then at final stretch run all out. That was Barbaros game. It I’m not hating he was such a good horse and great at the sport but ruffian would have won. I love both of these horses
Ruffian taught us some very hard lessons about racing and treating race injuries. Her breakdown was the reason Barbaro even had the chance that he did. And she was the last racehorse in America who would lose her life because of a match race. Match racing had already been criticized for its tendency to hyperfocus equine athletes who, if it weren't for their diligent jockeys, would happily run themselves to death. Ruffian was one of those who would've killed herself on the racetrack if given the chance. She didn't like being pulled up even after breaking her leg. She didn't understand what she'd done wrong that she wasn't being allowed to beat that colt. Match races are intended to showcase horses with just her type of fiery spirit, and match races are deadliest to horses with just that type of spirit. They couldn't be allowed to continue. Not after Ruffian.
Thank God I have Bill Nack telling me how to feel about events I lived through as a child.
Can we all just take a second to appreciate how eloquent and poetic William Nack’s narration is. This is some of his best writing.
Bill Nack does such a great job because he truly loves the horses and the sport. I love watching, listening or reading everything of his I can find.
If this video doesn’t bring a tear to your eyes not much will!! Two beautiful horses lost way to soon!!
Barbaro always seemed like he was just having fun out there. I've never seen a horse who looked like they just loved to run more than him.
Mr Nack loved the horses and the sport and is truly missed as is the two beautiful horses Ruffian and Barbaro!! no matter how long the horses are with us it’s never long enough!!
Bill brings a romance to our sport like no other I have known, I could listen to him all day, certainly here in the uk there has never been one like him.
These horses were not "teenagers" they were babies--as all the Thoroughbreds are in racing--they "break down" because they are being raced TOO YOUNG.
Their joints are not fully formed yet.
There are thousands of lesser-known cases like Ruffian and Barbaro who are ruined by being run too soon, too fast--all because of human greed.
It's a shame and tragedy Thoroughbred racing is not more stringently monitored--if only they would pass a rule that says horses must be 4 or 5 years before racing.
Kimberley Freeman I know I'm replying late but you are 100% correct. Horses can live up to 30 years and they're racing at 2. Looking at thoroughbred racing they should be allowed to mature then be raced. Example 1: Zenyatta
Actually they are teenagers at 3. Horses are mature and sexually active adults at 4 years old. I agree with you but I just wanted to correct you on that.
Bill Nack knows his stuff. They were teenagers in horse years. There are also many reasons a horse can break down. You aren't correct or wrong.
And human greed? You will put in more money then making it unless you are on the breeding end. You do realize how much it costs to keep a horse sound? I spent just 4,000 3 months ago to have a sinus drainage procedure on our silver bay mare. Antibiotics were 200.
@@ken45y
You loved your horse.
"Ruffian was a portrait of grace..." She was the definition of speed and beauty, a staggering filly, ready to throw herself to run her life out. I guess it was written in the stars, or just an unpredictable moment, which for-shadowed the calamity of her breakdown. On the other side we had the handsome young Colt, developing in every race to offer his lovers something legendary, something spiritual, something unbelievable. I guess all we can do is thank history - FOR GIVING US RUFFIAN AND BARBARO
Beautifully said! I agree!
Ruffian is the greatest filly ever. R. I. P. beloved Ruffian.💕
Ruffian was my greatest filly my hero along with Secretariat and Riva Ridge. This is a tremendous tribute to Ruffian and Barboro both left us much too soon . ❤❤🙏🙏🤣🤣😇😇
Ruffian never looked like she was racing, she looked like it was a breeze run, I didn't see her race, but I checked the book out from the school library an cried every time, still do, (not at school library) she was soo fast, elegant an beautiful...
Thanks bill for this ruffian was a great horse and my fav racehorse and horse barbaro was a machine
My God this horse reminded me so much of secretariat and such a sad ending for this incredible creature
Barbaro is still my favorite racehorse ever. The best? He didn't get to prove it, and no horse can touch Man O War, Secretariat, and Ruffian. He was considered by many, at the time, to be the second coming. Whether that is true or not we'll never know, but he certainly possessed the possibility.
It's so crazy how insanely huge both horses were. Ruffian and Barbaro are both my favorite race horses of all time. They were both so talented and so beautiful!
The only time I cried is when Barbaro got hurt in the preakness, and i've been watching races around the globe for over sixty years.
If Barbaro was mine, I would have taken to him the Vatican and present him to the world as this is a real life angel
I am crying right now. They were both amazing horses!
I agree totally. I have the 2010 edition of the Secretariat book by Mr. Nack, updated for the movie. He has added some material through the years, and in one section where he describes the day Secretariat retired to stud and Claiborne, and also where he talks describes his death, brings tears to my eyes everytime I read it. Mr. Nack's writing is so vivid it is almost like you are right there alongside. It is amazing. He is a storyteller that's for sure.
Thank you Bill. I remember Ruffian because I followed her career. She was a stunner. A gorgeous filly. I couldn’t believe it when she broke her leg and eventually was euthanized. I’ll always wonder what could have been.
I love Barbaro so much. I love Ruffian but Barbaro was an angel.
There all Angeles
@@christinematton4125 I agree, but Barbaro had divine supernatural abilities. I guess he was an archangel
I remember watching Barbaro break down live..I was sitting with my parents in our living room, as we did every year when the great “Triple Crown” races aired…I screamed and stared crying…my mom held me, my dad was trying to build me up by telling me that everything would be ok, that they pulled him up early enough, etc etc. vivid memory. Years later I learned all about Ruffian and fell in love with her.
Three legends
Bill Nack is such a great narrator & story teller.
If I'd had the money to buy Ruffian, I would not have raced her. I would have kept her as a pet. She deserved a lovlier life than racing for big bucks.
I MISS YOU GUYS!!
Always a beautiful narration by Bill Nack. Also, the way Barbaro looks at the camera...a lot of horses just don't do that. You know the look of eagles when you see it.
Shar O he's just gorgeous
Shar O definitely he's of grace such absolute bullshit yet he's home out of pain with god and Jesus
Powerful engines on glass ankles.
The trainer of Secretariat, Lucien Laurin, said to the press, "As God as my witness, she may even be better than Secretariat."
To me, that says it all-Ruffian was the Greatest Race Horse of ALL TIME. Period.
I love them there like angels floating around the track because there like wind hsrdly there at all
Exactly barbaro was the phenom and she was his queen
Thank you seem the only one to agree such lovely horses
Ruffian was a physical freak. She was a gorgeous, powerful, and swift mare who could outrun any colt of her day. Sadly, she literally ran herself to death.
And never given the opportunity to grow enough to be put through the stressors of racing. C’mon
Humans ran her to death
I've always said Ruffian was a disaster waiting to happen. Both her sire and dam were notoriously unsound. I have loved racing for several decades now, but having that longtime outlook, I have major criticisms of it. Racing itself is not inherently cruel. These horses LOVE their jobs and often get depressed without one, much like a border collie. But my BIGGEST criticism of this sport is the breeding industry breeding unsound for the sake of speed, and Ruffian was one of its major casualties. She was indeed a freak of nature, a wonder to behold, but she should never have been been conceived in the first place.
Well expressed thougths. Ruffian wanted to be born, she had to be; every animal that is born wants to be born no matter the conditions or cirumstances. Ruffian's death sent a message to the entire world about horse-racing; perhaps that was her greatest gift and ultimately her legacy.
I am completely new to horse-racing. I disagree with the horse racing industry and racing like that, in general. Horses are animals with feelings, personalities, families (taken from them), and friends.
I am learning about horses via Horse Plus (in Tennessee) and Clever Cowgirl, two RUclips channels that shed light on horses and rehabilitation. Horse Pluse rescues many horses from the "slaughter pipeline" in which various race horses have been sent. It is horrendous what is done to these horses, shipped out of the USA to Canada and Mexico for horsemeat consumption. Many horses are neglected in the UK, too, as World Horse Welfare shows in their videos.
So what is the point? Horses are magnificent creatures who could well enough be left alone, pretty much, to enjoy life.
Hats off to Old Friends who takes in retired race horses. The owner said that the horses are allowed to be themselves and that their personalities really come through there.
oldfriendsequine.org/
Him and Her were the baddest of them all
Anytime anyone gets a chance to listen to Bill Nack speak on something, or read something he has inked into paper, they should. He is a throwback, the closest thing to Grantland Rice, perhaps even better.
Who else wishes that Barbaro had beaten the Pharaoh to history? Such a magnificent, MAJESTIC animal!!! I loved him!
+Abigail Hitchcock he is better then Pharoah
Ride clear THANKYOU!!!! FINALLY! Someone who agrees with me!!😄
he was and will all ways be better then Pharoah
We don't know that we don't know if he would have won the Preakness and why can't anyone give AP any credit he won the triple crown and the classic u have no idea if Barbaro would have won because their success is lightly comparable
Barbaro lives on! My fiancee has his full-blooded sister (Free Entertainment, AKA: "Pebbles") and is breeding her next year.
Just like Queen Ruffian, Eight and Barbaro, her Native Dancer blood (and the former owner starting her too early) resulted in her retirement after becoming lame after only a couple of races as a 2 Y/O due to insufficient leg bone/joint strength for her size (now 17.1 hds like her Dam, Dynaformer) and power.
She's a pasture Queen now, but soon she may birth a little Barbaro.
Horses are usually born mid april. However. January 1 they are considered a "yearling". Training starts at 16 months.... but they are actually just a year old. They are Not adults
@HorseAddict16 And they both helped the medical field learn more about saving horses. Because of Ruffian, the recovery pool which they used for Barbaro, was invented. Hopefully what they learned on Barbaro can help find a cure for laminitis.
you can google pedigreequery, type in Ruffian's name in box in upper left hand corner and see her pedigree. I have a paperback on her background and story. I managed to read through a full description of what went on in the barn where they tried hopelessly to save her. It was one of the most painful things I've ever read. Book is Ruffian, Burning From the Start by Jane Schwartz. You can get it on Amazon.
Noy R
Noy Ruffan
THATS SO SAD
Imagine of them racing against eachother!
Who would win? and Imagine of them broken down at same time. :O
They will always be in our heart!
awesome video.
That was after her Spinaway victory. However, later on, Lucien admitted he may have gotten carried away. Nack was asked about comparing them (which you really can't do), and he suggested Ruffian might have been able to beat Sec in a mile race, but going long distances, Sec wld've beaten her. The tragedy is R's line of heritage, sire and dam had fragile bones, both broke legs and had to be put down. Wld have to research again for specific names, but do know S's sire Bold Ruler was R's granddad.
You're my horse hero buddy
On this racing game I bred Babaro with Ruffian and I ended up with a foal called Legacys ambition but I wanted to breed Secretariat with Ruffian.
😢😢😢
its sad how two of the best races horses ever had their lives cut short
MustangLover28 still can't find no damn cure for lamnitis he's gone 11 years now
I KNOW Ruffian.........
at the begnning its off of sprit its when spirt and rain were in the water i think
Breaks your heart. To young to be racing. Or any serious action.
Money hungary people disrespecting the horse.
As a horse owner , can't approve of this abuse.
Does anyone know what the background song was during the first minute?
No ruffian was definitely better than Babaro and Lucien Lauren said she could be better than secretariat. I don't know about that though?
Annaihr1605 no way barbaro and ruffian together
Barbaro never got much of a chance to prove his worth. Doesn't mean he wasn't good. He did prove he could run on both turf and dirt though.
Julie Witt
just zenyatta
PLEASE ! These ” BABIES “ ARE RUN HARD BEFORE THEIR TIME . THOROUGHBREDS WERE BRED DIFFERENTLY BACK WHEN THEY COULD RUN ALL DAY. ( THEY HAD MORE BONE AND WERE MORE STURDY) ITS ALL FOR ( GREED AND PRESTIGE) “”Mind you there are a minority of owners who care for their animals while racing and afterwards. Credit is given where it’s due.””
barbaro?
@horwsegurl777 I don't know it :/
Hardly i mean
😂😂😂🙏🙏🙏💔💔💔
ruffian was amzing but she was not as good as Secretariat or Barbaro
my little eventer I don’t believe ruffian was better then secretariat but she would have for sure gave him a run for his money. Now her and Barbaro are pretty even I think she would definitely win tho. she always leads and try’s her best to keep her lead she will not let a horse catch her for to long... Barbaro was good. But you can’t let a horse with speed like that run home then at final stretch run all out. That was Barbaros game. It I’m not hating he was such a good horse and great at the sport but ruffian would have won. I love both of these horses