RUFFIAN did it with HEART, COURAGE and SPIRIT..There will NEVER be another horse like Her. Even in Her last race, on that Tragic Night, She NEVER Gave up. She NEVER was Under a Whip,and NEVER Headed. The Jockey's NEVER had to use the whip on her in all her 10 Races. Jacinto, did slightly touch the whip to her belly ONE TIME, Just to see what she would do??? and she excellerated even more!! All 10 Races she WON with EASE under a strong hold by her Jockey. So Strong a Hold Jacinto would complain to Frank Whiteley that he was SOO SORE. She Broke or Tied the Track Record EVERYTIME she went out. Jacinto was Foolish Pleasure's Jockey and RUFIAN's Jockey. Jacinto Chose to Ride RUFFIAN in the Match Race, Even though he knew he was risking his career with LeRoy Jolley, becase HE KNEW RUFFIAN WAS THE BETTER HORSE. She was what Fairy Tales are made of. A Mythical Creature with the Beauty, Spirit and Heart Of a CHAMPION. A ONCE IN A LIFETIME FILLY.. The likes of which we will NEVER EVER See again! I am Happy to have been Lucky enough to have Seen Her Race, I will NEVER forget Her.. RUFFIAN Did face VERY STRONG competition.. I followed her career VERY CLOSELY. She Had Just Won The Triple Crown For Fillies in June, 2 weeks before the Match Race. She Had Faced The BEST Fillies and Beat them ALL. She was going to Race the Colts after the Match Race, but that wasnt to be. She Also Won Grade I Stakes Races and Breaking Track Records without even trying. The other Fillies that Raced Against her were at the Top of their Game too. I have a HUGE Scrap Book on her of News Paper Clipping's, Magazines, Racing Forms and anything she was in during her career. Frank Whiteley and Jacinto Wanted her to learn to settle down a little in a race and let other horses race with her and not fight the bit soo much. She was learning just that with Jacinto. IF she would of learned to listen to the Jockey more, She would of Never have died. Jacinto would of been able to pull her up and stop her. I watched the match race one time in 1975 and that was enough for me. I would never ever watch that race again. I like to Remember Her for her 10 WINS and Winning the Filly Triple Crown. The Jockeys and exercise riders that rode her all agree that she was the BEST they had ever ridden. The Clockers at the tracks NEVER saw anything like her. Even today if you ask anyone that had any involment with her or were there to see her race, they would tell you SHE WAS THE GREATEST they had ever seen. She was BIG for a Filly, and She was BEAUTIFUL. She didnt get a chance to race the colts. Her Fractions and Race Times Speak for themselves. Even Lucien, SECRETARIAT's Trainer, was quoted saying, RUFFIAN IS BETTER THAN SECRETARIAT.