AS SEEN ON TV: RUFFIAN

Wednesday's child is full of woe....

Still veering away, and yet at the same time hewing closer to the August theme of the Wild West, today's "As Seen On TV" showcase features an equine figure of History:

RUFFIAN

AS SEEN IN:
"Ruffian"

AS PLAYED BY:
Various colts
She isn't the first horse we've had in the spotlight since we started this theme in January; that honor would go to Incitatus from 'I, Claudius' back in May. But the story of Ruffian may be the most compelling about a horse since that of "Seabiscuit". Ruffian was dubbed the "Queen of the Fillies" - ironic then that she was portrayed here by a series of colts. (It was kind of a "Lassie" situation.) That title may not have been hyperbole; not even Death could have amped up her reputation. The TV movie concerned itself with her too short and very tragic life, which ended at Belmont back in 1975. (She is buried there at an infield flagpole, facing the finish line.)

The TV Ruffian is seen here with her trainer, Frank Whiteley (as played by Sam Shephard):
For more about the life and death of Ruffian, visit the Manes & Tails Organization page about her.

And here's a music video using footage from the TV movie:



BCnU.....