Despite the Triple Crown events dating back to the 19th century and numerous horses achieving victory, merely a dozen fillies throughout history have triumphed in any of these prestigious races.
Such successes, while more common in earlier periods, have become quite rare; indeed, only five female horses have secured a Triple Crown race win in the past century.
Given this scarcity, it might appear incredible that the very first Triple Crown event ever run was clinched by a filly; however, this remarkable accomplishment occurred in 1867 when Ruthless emerged victorious in the debut Belmont Stakes, a defining moment in a career that eventually led to her induction into the Racing Hall of Fame.
Raised in New York by Francis Morris, Ruthless originated from New York by birth, yet her lineage was not local. Her sire, the imported British stallion Eclipse—distinct from the famed undefeated horse sharing the name—and her dam, Barbarity, both had origins from beyond the Atlantic.
Under the tutelage of A. Jack Minor, Ruthless displayed innate ability from her early days. In a brief four-race season as a two-year-old in 1866, she secured her first win at Saratoga on July 28 and subsequently triumphed convincingly in the one-mile Nursery Handicap at Jerome Park. She placed second in her remaining two races that year.
In the subsequent year, Ruthless frequently bested male horses in significant competitions. Following a win in a six-furlong sprint race on May 23 at Jerome Park, Ruthless astonished observers by returning the very next day to conquer older male competitors over a distance of 1 ¼ miles.
Slightly over a week thereafter, Ruthless placed second to her stablemate Monday in the Jersey Derby, an event that acted as her final preparation for the Belmont Stakes on June 19. Back then, this race took place at Jerome Park and covered 1 5/8 miles, which was one-eighth of a mile lengthier than its customary track.
Up against three rivals, among them Monday, Ruthless was anticipated to yield the win to her favored stablemate. However, when Monday posed no challenge (ultimately finishing last), Ruthless demonstrated grit, entering a three-way contest with De Courcey and Rivoli. With the finish line nearing, the result remained unclear, but Ruthless persevered, winning by a head over De Courcey, with Rivoli trailing in third by only a half-length.
As if her Belmont Stakes triumph hadn’t already cemented her place in history, Ruthless once more vanquished male competitors later that summer by claiming the fourth running of the esteemed Travers Stakes at Saratoga. The course presented a formidable 1 ¾ miles, yet Ruthless comfortably bested De Courcey, winning by a margin of two lengths.
Nearing the year’s conclusion, Ruthless encountered an unexpected loss in the St. Leger, a 2 ¼-mile contest that developed in an atypical manner. Competing against four adversaries, Ruthless found herself entangled in a fierce struggle for the lead with a colt named Clement; merely half a mile into the event, they held a 20-length advantage over the other competitors. Ruthless ultimately outpaced Clement—who would conclude the race in last place—but she had expended too much energy to fend off De Courcey, who surged from well back to claim victory by three lengths.
Ruthless concluded her career with a track record of seven victories and four runner-up finishes across 11 races, accumulating $11,000 in prize money. She survived for an additional nine years, yet as documented by William H. P. Robertson in “The History of Thoroughbred Racing in America,” Ruthless “likely met the most peculiar end of any notable Thoroughbred known. A huntsman traversing near Morris’s estate in Westchester accidentally shot her.”
Notwithstanding her premature demise, Ruthless’s legacy persists as the inaugural racehorse—regardless of gender—to secure a Triple Crown race victory. Largely due to this achievement, Ruthless was enshrined in the Racing Hall of Fame in 1975. Truly, a monumental figure!
Interesting Details
- Ruthless was one of five full sisters, her siblings being named Regardless, Relentless, Remorseless, and Merciless. Because each sister attained success in racing and became a stakes champion, they earned the moniker “Barbarous Battalion,” paying homage to their mother, Barbarity.
- Gilbert W. Patrick, an esteemed Hall of Fame jockey frequently referred to as “Gilpatrick,” served as Ruthless’s consistent rider, achieving success over many decades. He was 55 years of age when he steered Ruthless to her win in the Belmont Stakes.
- Merely two other fillies throughout history have captured the Belmont Stakes: Tanya in 1905 and Rags to Riches in 2007.
- The Ruthless Stakes race held at Aqueduct bears her name as a tribute.
