A Fast, Fleeting Star
The other day, ESPN2 aired a “Making of” special on the ABC TV movie “Ruffian”, which airs Saturday June 9.
For those who don’t know, Ruffian was a racehorse, claimed by some to be one of, if not the best filly ever. She amazed the racing world and also piqued the interest of the growing feminist feminist in the early 1970s. Because of that clash of sports and culture, there was a lot of pressure to have her set up in a match race against the best colt of the year, Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure.
Horse racing was seen at the time by many to be a dying sport, and the publicity to be gained by such a race might also bring spectators — and bettors — back to the tracks. So the race was arranged, and was televised live.
Millions watched as the filly broke from the gate against the colt, and many had hopes of seeing a wonderful, well fought race to the finish. Instead, moments later, they watched a mishap unfold before their eyes as the filly broke a leg. What should have been a mere unfortunate accident turned into stunning tragedy, as Ruffian refused to stop running, refused to quit the race.
By continuing to run, she shredded her leg, and turned what could have been simply a career-ending injury into a life-threatening one. Those who were watching the race couldn’t believe what they were seeing, and hours later, despite Herculean efforts of trainers and vets to stablize her to where they could try to save her life, they had to put her down after she rebroke the leg and the cast they’d just put on her.
I have a hazy memory of seeing some of this on TV when I was a child. I hadn’t remembered it until I read “Ruffian: Burning from the Start” by Jane Schwartz. She had talked to people closely involved with Ruffian from when she a foal until she died, and some of the details in her accounting of the final race sparked memories I hadn’t even realized I’d had. I found out later that the recording of the race was never replayed for TV, so I know I had to have seen it when it happened.
For the longest time, I’ve always named my computers after famous horses, both fictional and real. Many years ago, I had named one of my Macs Ruffian. It refused to die when it was accidentally dropped during a move, and it refused to give up when a lightning strike took out the modem and the power strip they were both was connected to. I hadn’t realized at the time how aptly named that machine was.
I will be watching the movie of her life this weekend. The fact that it’s about a horse that always impressed me more than Seabiscuit ever did is a draw, but it also stars Sam Shepard, one of my favorite actors.
It’s also interesting that the movie airs the same day The Belmont is being run, and that’s the track where Ruffian died.
Link: Pedigree Query: Ruffian
Link: Ruffian Memorial
Link: Thoroughbred Champions: Ruffian
