RIP Black Ruby
 

The Secretariat of mule racing has died.

RIP Ruby! Thanks for all the great memories. For me you were Zenyatta before Zenyatta. Congrats on a great life and making it to 30. And massive props to Sonny and Mary McPherson who both loved her with all their heart. May you win every photo finish in heaven by a looooong Ear!!

I once won a race at The Big Fresno Fair with Ruby's sister Fancy!

Well not sisters in blood. More that they grew up together.

Racing was never in the plan for Fancy. She was more suited to 100-mile endurance tests in and around Lake Tahoe.

But she had to come to the races because the Mule Association was running out of competition for Ruby.

Nobody would enter against her.

Yay! RUBY!

I loved mule racing. It really saddens me that they no longer have the races at the CA Fairs. I was planning a special trip out to CA just to see the mules, but then the pandemic squashed those plans and now the racing has been stopped.

Black Ruby was around before I discovered the joys of mule racing, but I can imagine how much fun those times were.

Some racing film of the great Black Ruby RIP my friend :rip:


Vic, did you call on of Ruby's races? Sounded like you on one of those races?

Great call Vic!

Glad I lived and watched her during my lifetime. California fairs when life wasn't as busy brings back memories filled with joy. RIP Ruby

Came very close to finalizing match race between her and Zippy Chippy. Belatedly nixed by then management because it wasn't their idea. Dumb. Dumb...

rip, big girl.

Black Ruby is a legend.
:rip: Ole Gal!

Rest in Peace, I remember seeing Black Ruby race at the Pomona Fair, that was so long ago I can't believe that mule was still living until recently.

Glad I got to see her a few times, just a wonderful animal. Mules have no past and no future, just the present. When my son was a teenager he owned a riding mare. One day he realized that she was great with child. The result was a mule and my son was devastated. He learned to love the mule though and she became a member of the family.

Black Ruby was fun to watch, so damn quick. RIP

I did a Google search and didn't see any articles about this! Thanks for posting.

I called a BUNCH of her races.

Both Frank Miramadhi and John McGary would probably be good at just how many of her wins but I'd guess at least 20 or 25.

RIP, Ruby. There will never be another one like her, literally.