Ruffian Stakes


The Ruffian Stakes is a Grade II American thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares ages three-years-old and up run over a distance of 1 mile on a dirt track at Belmont Park, and formerly at Aqueduct Racecourse and Saratoga Race Course.

Race history

The race is named in honor of the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame filly, Ruffian.
It was first run in 1976 as the Ruffian Stakes, and was run as the Ruffian Handicap from 1977 until 2009. In 2010 and 2011 it was run as the Ruffian Invitational Handicap before returning to the Ruffian Handicap for the 2013 running. It became the Ruffian Stakes again in 2014.
Sky Beauty won this race in 1994 with 130 pounds, Bayakoa won it in 1989, and Lady's Secret won it twice, in 1985 and 1986, after which she was awarded the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year. Genuine Risk, the second filly to win the Kentucky Derby, won it in 1980.
The 2001 running of the Ruffian Handicap was cancelled due to the September 11th terrorist attacks. It was also not run in 2012.
In 2010 the Ruffian was moved to Saratoga Race Course where it is held in the first Sunday in August. Malibu Prayer won the first edition of the race to be held at Saratoga.
In 2014, the Ruffian was moved back to Belmont Park, where it was run on the undercard of the Man o' War Stakes on Mother's Day. Fiftyshadesofhay won the race, giving John Velazquez his sixth win in the race.

Race venue

Previously the race was held in August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York; until 2009 it had been run at the beginning of September at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The 2013 running was held at Aqueduct Racecourse and then returned to Belmont Park in 2014.

Race records

Speed record:
Most wins:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
Most wins by an owner:
In 1987, Sacahuista finished first, but was disqualified.