Ruffian

A mare who wins every race in which she participates and sets records at every track, Ruffian is far and away the best filly to grace the sport of horse racing. All ten of her races are against other mares; so the stage is set for her to prove to the "Sport of Kings" enthusiasts that she can beat the best male stud, Foolish Pleasure, winner of the Kentucky Derby. The match race is set and the sport reaps the rewards of a packed stadium to view the spectacle. What the fans witness is one of the most remarkable competitions that leaves a lasting, unexpected memory in the history of such a demanding sport.This story is so much more than a sporting event. It is the human experience of love many have for excellence, grace, and beauty regardless of species. In this way, Jane Schwartz touches the soul that spiritually connects people. Readers are right there with the characters, who are unique in their own right. This true story evokes the sublime with sudden tragedy that transports human sympathies to depths no one thought capable of feeling. It is peculiar that people's desire to pit these two magnificent animals against each other in this contest is for their own foolish pleasure.

I'm like many other reviewers in that I remember watching Ruffian's match race. The beauty of watching her race and the horror of watching her not only breakdown during a race but also refuse to stop racing are indescribable. Did the movie capture that emotion? No.I found the movie to be too melodramatic and overly sentimental. As some other reviewers have no doubt mentioned, they didn't get horse racing exactly right, but I am always willing to forgive them that. What I regret is that they never seemed to manage to capture the spirit of Ruffian - her fire, her drive, her incandescence. That was the essence of Ruffian and why she was not just another fast horse but a legend, even before her death.But if you have any fondness for horses or horse racing, you should buy this CD any way for two reasons. One, it includes a Sports Century Flashback of the match race, including interviews with Whiteley, Vasquez, Janney's son, and exercise riders who were around Ruffian. The Sports Century show hits all the notes that the movie some how misses.Second, if the pain of losing Ruffian leaves you in tears, you can ease the pain by watching the video of her races and appreciating just how special she really was.If you want to read more about her, I strongly recommend Schwarz's excellent book  Ruffian: Burning From the Start

She was the greatest fully of all time with such a desire to run. So sad to have lost her before she was able to carry on her legacy

I was fortunate enough to watch the broadcast premiere of this film. That very same day, a Thoroughbred contemporary named Rags To Riches won The Belmont. The third and final jewel of The Triple Crown. I remember hearing of Ruffian's story when I was a child, but was never well informed of her story from its humble beginning, to its tragic ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and purchased it when was first released on DVD. It is a film that I continue to enjoy every time I watch it, and Ruffian is a horse that I grow more fondly of as a result. My grandfather loved horse racing, and if he were alive today, I am confident that he would have enjoyed the film the same way I have. Though Ruffian has long since passed, her beauty, as spoken of in the film, will never fade. She did make a lasting impression on not only the sport, but upon all of the hearts and minds of the people who love and adore these creatures just as I do. Her career was as Mr. Nack stated, "An Unfinished Symphony" I know that he spoke of "The Great Match Race" as the unfinished symphony of horse racing. However, I feel that Ruffian's breakdown and subsequent passing transcended the sport. It was the loss of one of the sports greatest thoroughbreds, and the loss of a life incomplete in its form, substance and overall composition. Hence, her life, was The Unfinished Symphony.....

My late father worked in horse-racing in NY for 35 years,and I grew up listening to horse stories. No horse evercaptivated my heart and mind in quite the way that Ruffian did.She was the real life Black Beauty for millions of little girls,and the day she died, I walked away from horse-racing forever.I was seventeen years old.While the film may not be 100% historically accurate,it was accurate enough to break my heart all over againand send me hunting through my drawers to find my old Match Racepins so I could hold Ruffian one more time while I cried for her.It was accurate enough to make my best friend scream and grab her ownbad leg (previously broken several times)when Ruffian's leg snapped.I think Ruffian's story still has the power and the magic to make littlegirls everywhere believe that anything is possible, and that they cantruly be Champions like the Magnificent, Tragic Ruffian.I will be going back to Belmont to visit Ruffian's final resting placeone more time.Sam Shepard and the rest of the Ruffian "crew" did an excellent jobof portraying both the love and the limitations inherent withinthe close-knit support system of the beloved Heroine Filly.

The DVD was delivered straight to me and had no scratches or damage. I haven't watched it yet because my DVD player is currently broken but still good quality.

The beautiful but ultimately sad story of the astonishing filly Ruffian. Lovely film sympathetically portrayed to allow the viewers to understand how much she was loved, how they desperately tried to save her despite all the odds, very poignant at the end. Be sure to have tissues at the ready.

La descrizione dell’articolo è ingannevole, dato che si tratta di un’edizione americana (Regione1) non compatibile con gli standard dei lettori europei. Sono molto contrariato per questo disguido.

Non conforme. Secondo la descrizione dell'articolo dovrebbe essere "edizione Germania" ma così non è. "USA and Canada Only", sui lettori DVD europei non funziona.

This is a superb DVD encapsulating the wonderful but tragic career of the World's Greatest Thoroughbred filly. Ruffian's match race against Foolish Pleasure really does tear at the heart strings as she broke down during this race whilst leading but continued to run thus making her injury far worse. She survived an operation to repair the breaks in her leg, but unfortunately tried to stand on coming out of the anesthetic and broke her other leg, leaving the Vets with no option but euthanasia, which is a tragic end to an unbeaten career.

I was unable to play the video. It was an American DVD and I was not able to play it on my British equiptment.