Bill Nack is interviewed about Ruffian

I didn't watch another live horse race until American Pharaoh's finally stretch drive in the Belmont,and only because someone else in the house was watching it and screaming HE'S WINNING,HE'S WINNING!,and the 37 year drought was over.Seeing Ruffian break down was too much.I was 12,I was a kid,and it was the first time I'd seen a horse suffer an injury that would lead to euthanasia.She was so beautiful,she was so special,and then she was gone.

I love hearing Bill talk about Secretariat and Ruffian, the King and Queen of horse racing. She was so beautiful and such a will to win. Fortunately good things came out of her early death. 1) When a horse is coming out of surgery its done in a pool so it can't injure itself 2) they built a state of the art vet center at Belmont. I'm so glad they buried her at Belmont with her nose facing the finish line .She was in first, she would have won. Its been 40 years and she will always be Queen.RIP.

I can’t think of it without feeling heartache. Bless her heart.

Mr Nack and Ruffian met up in heaven, all peace and no pain. R.I.P 2 u both historians ❣️

Thank you Bill for presenting such a riveting account of what happened to Ruffian. I'm old enough to remember that fateful day and, like you, have never gotten over what tragically occurred the day of the match race. I'm man enough to admit tears started flowing down my cheeks as I listened to you emotionally describe the enormity of what happened that day. Bouncing out of the gate; pigeons startling her just for a second; just a bad step; running against a very fast colt....Who knows? In my heart I will always believe she would have won the race.

Bill Nack speaks of Ruffian with tears n his eyes the whole time. Made me cry too.

I read a biography book when I was a kid and Ruffian was running on her floppy broken leg the jockey couldn't stop her, I cried soo many times, she was beautiful and not a quitter

"Here came Foolish Pleasure going 40 mph.." The speed these 1100 pound animals can run is incredible.

I could not watch this without crying, without question the saddest horseracing story I have ever heard. Ruffian was the most stunning and graceful filly, and yet had the most amazing speed!

Sadly, just found out Bill passed away April 13, 2018. This interview will live forever and Bill's name will always be associated with Ruffian's life story.

Bill Nack was the ambassador of horse racing. I too wish I had the privilege of sitting down with him just to listen to his great stories. His work on Secretariat was tremendous. To this day him winning the Belmont to win the Triple Crown was the greatest single achievement I have ever seen for any athlete. Sadly we were denied what could have been one of the greatest match races in the racing history. Ruffian and Bill RIP.

I'm so glad I have Bill Nack telling me how the history I witnessed firsthand went down.

Her presence alone was unbelievable, why she took that bad step we'll never know we can only speculate.. rest in peace precious girl. Ruffian.❤️

I watch this often,but not the breakdown,it puts tears in my eyes every time, she was a champion, super filly,

Queen of the Fillies would have brought it home all the way, no doubt in my mind. R.I.P. Beautiful Lady.

I was 13 at the time of tbis race...I could still cry if I looked at the footage of Ruffian breaking down....I lost a piece of my heart that day .....she was favorite horse.

We love you Ruffian and Bill Nack

This was gut wrenching. I was 10 years old and watched this happen live. Heartbreaking 😢

William Nack is like the Carl Sagan of horse racing, IMO. He unravels its poetic mysteries to the masses. Wish all the Derby contenders a safe trip tomorrow. We love you no matter where you finish!!

I was hot walking for john Campo & Chester Ross at the time besides my regular job & I used to watch her work early morning in the dark/dawn & I never saw a 2yr old that fast in my life I emptied my pockets on her-her 1st race & I always made sure to see her everyday I worked - she was A LIVING FLAME a gift to Mankind from GOD, & on that fateful day with tears in my eyes crying like a baby w/great anguish & hurt in my soul, I believe GOD decided to take HER back home to him. I miss Her more now than even during that sadness waiting all night by Dr Reeds hospital. R.I.P. Gorgous ! Ur the greatest then & now Al Smith