I have to admit that I am a True Believer that nothing Disastrously Bad should ever happen in a horse film. You can have drama and intensity, but nothing that is Irreparably Bad.

Yikes . . . you'd hate the story I want to see made into a film. Jane Schwarz's book Ruffian: Burning From The Start is a great story that cries out to be on the screen. Unfortunately, the audience would be sobbing at the end, much as I was after reading the book.

Still, I think Ruffian's story should be made into a movie, even if it would be a 100-hankie one. ::sniffles::

--Kris

Kris--What happens in it?

Chantal

Ruffian had a stellar career--she was Filly of the Year in 1974, and won the Triple Tiara in 1975. In all her races, she led at every quarter; she won her first 10 and broke speed records. So the owner of the 1975 Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure, LeRoy Jolley, set up a match race between Foolish Pleasure and Ruffian on July 7.

Just past the first quarter-turn, Ruffian shattered her right sesamoid bones, and was so determined not to lose the race that she ran another 55 strides, pounding the bones into the dirt. Doctors performed extensive surgery on her to repair the damage. When Ruffian woke up, she panicked--due to pain, fear, or thinking she was still in the race--and not only destroyed the cast on her damaged leg, but injured her other fetlock as well. She was put down shortly after.

She is buried, by the way, at Belmont Park, by the flagpole, with her nose pointing towards the finish line.

Walter Farley, the writer of the Black Stallion books, said Ruffian looked more like his imagined creation than any colt he'd ever seen. However, if you want to see what she looked like, this is the most beautiful shot of her I've found: Ruffian at the Acorn Stakes.

--Kris

Kris--Oh noooooo! Oh, that poor filly--to have that much spirit and heart, and have it end like that.

I could watch a movie about Ruffian, though. That's not the sort of 'irreparably bad' I had in mind. :)

I'd never heard of her before, so I'm very glad you told me about her.

Chantal

Chantal, I highly recommend Jane Schwarz's book to you. You'll love it; it is very well written, very evocative of Ruffian's personality.

I gave it to my mother to read. She got to the account of the match race, put it aside, cried, and then finished reading. When we watched Seabiscuit this weekend, she turned to me after the last frame and exclaimed, "Did he finish the race? He didn't die, did he?" I had to look up Seabiscuit's life to assure her that he won the race and retired. :)

--Kris

I love it!

The movie Dreamer... tell me how much you liked it when you get back. I want to see it. It kinda reminds me of National Velvit, and I loved that movie. Then again, I've always loved Liz Taylor. :-)

Leianora--Oh, go see Dreamer! It's much fun! It takes place in Lexington, Kentucky, where all the big horse farms are. Dakota Fanning is absolutely adorable in the movie and shows quite a lot of backbone, too. If you like horse movies, I think you'll enjoy it.

Chantal