Ruffian is perhaps one of the most well know fillies to breakdown on the track. She was an undefeated 3 year old with the chance for a great career. She had already won the Triple Tiara in 1975. Unfortunately, on July 6, 1975, during a match race against Foolish Pleasure, that year’s Kentucky Derby winner, she fractured the sesamoid bones in her right front leg. She also tore ligaments down the back of that same leg, while also tearing the skin open. She underwent surgery, but during recovery she began to thrash around and caused damage to that same leg. She could not face surgery again and was euthanized. This filly had the capabilities to remain undefeated, even beating out the top 3 year old male of the year.
Ruffian is a conformationally successful horse for the majority of her body. Her throatlatch is narrow to match her thin neck. Her ribs appear well sprung and almost all of her legs except for her right front. This leg, although possibly due to the angle of the camera, appears buck kneed. This could be a possible explanation for the injury sustained where she fractured her sesamoid bones in the same leg.
Ruffian is a conformationally successful horse for the majority of her body. Her throatlatch is narrow to match her thin neck. Her ribs appear well sprung and almost all of her legs except for her right front. This leg, although possibly due to the angle of the camera, appears buck kneed. This could be a possible explanation for the injury sustained where she fractured her sesamoid bones in the same leg.
To see Ruffian's break-down in her 1975 Match Race please jump to: 18:56