One of the greatest female racehorses was born in 1864. Her name? Ruthless. The 16-hand high, bay filly was the best of the Barbarous Battalion. Ruthless, Relentless, winner of the Saratoga Stakes, Remorseless, champion two year old filly, Regardless, winner of the Alabama, Monmouth Oaks and Flash, and Merciless, winner of the Alabama, were all full sisters and champions. Scary names, right? Their sire was Eclipse, not the champion racer in the 1700s, and their dam was Barbarity.
Ruthless’s Two Year Old Season
Ruthless’s first start was on July 28,1866. She placed second in the Saratoga Springs, with Red Wing winning. Just two days later, Ruthless was back, winning against Red Wing, Maid of Honor and three other colts.
The bay filly won the inaugural running of the Nursery Stakes, by 6 lengths. Someone commented that she was “galloping along as if she was at exercise.”
Ruthless wrapped up her two-year-old racing season with a second-place finish in the Trail Stakes. Her stablemate Monday won the race.
Ruthless’s three-year-old season
Ruthless started her three-year-old career on May 23, 1867. She won the Spring Stakes. Only a day later Ruthless beat Lenard Jerome’s stallion Luther. Three weeks later, she ran in the Jersey Derby, finishing second, only two lengths behind Monday.
Ruthless in the Belmont Stakes
15 days after the Jersey Derby, Ruthless, Monday, De Courcey, and Rivoli ran in the inaugural Belmont Stakes. Ruthless won by a neck. “Splendid race home.” “a most exciting finish.” And that she won by, “a short neck,” were among the excited comments.
After the Belmont Stakes
Ruthless also won the 1867 Travers Stakes. She gained the lead at the half mile pole and never gave the lead up. Less than week had passed after the Travers when Ruthless ran in the 2 mile Sequel Stakes. She won, beating De Courcey once again.
Ruthless’s last race was the Jersey St. Leger. She placed second, with De Courcey the winner.
Altogether, Ruthless ran in 11 starts, winning 7 of them and placing second in the 4 other races. She was retired because of a leg injury. Ruthless’s best offspring was Battle Axe, winner of the Kentucky Stakes. His sire was Monday, Ruthless’s former competition.
Sadly, Ruthless was shot by a hunter and died too young, at 12. Ruthless is remembered for being the first horse of either gender to win the Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of the Triple Crown. A race was named the Ruthless Stakes in honor of the champion racehorse.
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