Genuine Risk, 1 of 3 fillies to win Derby, dies

Genuine Risk, one of only three fillies to win the Kentucky Derby, died Monday at Newstead Farm.

The 1980 Derby winner died peacefully about 7:30 a.m. at the age of 31 after eating a hearty breakfast and being turned out in her paddock, said Cindy Perry, an office administrator at the farm. Perry said the filly had not been ill.

Genuine Risk was the oldest living Derby winner, and the only filly to finish in the top three in each of the Triple Crown races. Ridden by Jacinto Vasquez in all three, she was second to Codex in a controversial Preakness, and then ran second to the Belmont Stakes.

"Genuine Risk was an amazing horse with tremendous heart that lived a life befitting a champion," owners Bertram and Diane Firestone said in a statement issued by the farm. "We are truly blessed that she was a part of our life and we are deeply saddened by her passing."

It was in the 1980 Derby that Genuine Risk made history, taking a commanding lead in the stretch of the 106th Derby and outrunning Rumbo and Jaklin Klugman for the victory. She paid $26.80 to win and immediately became one of the top fillies in racing history.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/08/18/sports/s110616D67.DTL


Genuine Risk at 30 in NY Times photo



May you be galloping and grazing in the greenest of pastures beautiful girl! And if you gotta go, that's the way to do it. A hearty breakfast and take your last breath peacefully in a verdant green pasture!

31 is a good age for a horse. Bless her heart...

She won the Derby and finished in the top three of the other Triple Crown races. Only filly in history to do that. She ran her last 1/4 mile of the Derby faster than any other Derby winner except Secretariat. Amazing.

...and I was dreading this day. She was one of my favorites as a kid.

RIP, dear horse. (That's "Run in Peace," this time.)