In an era when many race horses are retired to stud after their three-year-old year, Forego stands out as a giant for his ability to win graded stakes races while almost always carrying the heaviest weight in the field. Though he started his career in 1973 (Secretariat's year), he did not peak until he turned four. He race frequently from ages 4-7, and earned the Eclipse Awards for Horse of the Year for three consecutive years as well as the Eclipse awards for Champion Older Male for four consecutive years. In all, this indomitable horse won 34 times out of 57 starts.
Based on the story of the great filly who was undefeated until suffering a fatal breakdown in a match race against Foolish Pleasure at Belmont Park in 1975 . Only lasting two short seasons on the track, Ruffian was unbeaten through her first ten starts shattering records at nearly every race. It was the much anticipated 11th race, on July 7, 1975 in front of a packed house at Belmont and a television audience of 18 million viewers, that proved to be her last. Hailed as the battle of the sexes, Ruffian went head-to-head with Kentucky Derby winning colt Foolish Pride, in what became the last match race in professional horse racing. Just short of the one mile marker, Ruffian went down hard with a broken leg, ultimately leaving doctors with no other option than to put the horse to sleep. The next day, she was buried at Belmont and to this day remains the only horse granted that honor.
Mayatex Saddle Blanket - Racing Horses - Sand and Rose