Ruffian (horse)

Ruffian
Sire	Reviewer
Grandsire	Bold Ruler
Dam	Shenanigans
Damsire	Native Dancer
Sex	Filly
Foaled	April 17, 1972 Paris, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	July 7, 1975(1975-07-07) (aged 3) Elmont, New York, U.S.
Country	United States
Colour	Dark Bay
Breeder	Stuart & Barbara Janney
Owner	Stuart & Barbara Janney
Trainer	Frank Y. Whiteley Jr.
Record	11: 10-0-0 (1 DNF)
Earnings	$313,428[1]
Major wins
Fashion Stakes (1974) Astoria Stakes (1974) Spinaway Stakes (1974) Sorority Stakes (1974) Comely Stakes (1975) Acorn Stakes (1975) Mother Goose Stakes (1975) Coaching Club American Oaks (1975)
Awards
American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly (1974) 4th U.S. Triple Tiara Champion (1975) American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly (1975)
Honours
American Racing Hall of Fame (1976) #35 – Top 100 American Racehorses of the 20th Century Top Ranked American Female Racehorse of the 20th Century Ruffian Stakes at Belmont Park TV film: Ruffian (2007)
Last updated on September 21, 2021

Ruffian (April 17, 1972 – July 7, 1975) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won ten consecutive races, including the Acorn, Mother Goose and Coaching Club American Oaks, then known as the American Triple Tiara. She was in the lead at every point of call in every race she ever ran and set new stakes records in each of the eight stakes races she won. Her dominating wins caused her to be named the American Champion filly at both ages two and three. In July 1975, she entered a highly anticipated match race with Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure, in which she broke down. Surgery was attempted but Ruffian reacted poorly and exacerbated the injuries while coming out of anesthesia. As a result, she was euthanized.

Ruffian was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1976. The Blood-Horse magazine ranked her as the top filly or mare of the twentieth century in their list of the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century, and number 35 overall. Her story was told in the 2007 film Ruffian and numerous books.