A new orthopedics surgery hospital at New York’s Belmont Park will be named for the champion filly Ruffian.
The new equine hospital currently under construction at New York’s Belmont Park will be named the “Ruffian Equine Medical Center at Belmont Park.” The facility will be located only yards from the spot where the legendary filly broke down in her ill-fated match race against champion colt Foolish Pleasure in Elmont, New York.
The Ruffian Equine Medical Center at Belmont Park is expected to open in early 2008. IEAH Corporation has secured the services of top equine practitioners Dr. James Hunt and Dr. Patricia Hogan, a specialist surgeon.
Ruffian is remembered as one of the greatest racehorses of all time. She was victorious in the first 10 starts of her career, winning by a combined margin of 83 lengths, before her career was tragically cut short. She equaled two track records, owned or tied eight stakes records, and won Eclipse Awards as champion filly at ages 2 and 3 (1974-75).
“We are honored to able to carry out the legacy of Ruffian on the very grounds on which she so bravely fought her toughest battle,” said Michael Iavarone, co-president of IEAH, in a press release. “We would like to extend our utmost gratitude to the Janney family for allowing us the opportunity to share in her memory. We have made and will continue to make every effort to ensure the facility will be the finest available.”
IEAH is owner and developer of the new hospital, which was recently expanded in size from 11,000 to 20,000 square feet. The latest design calls for multiple surgical suites, MRI, nuclear scintigraphy, and treadmill endoscopy.
