Whiteley Jr., Vasquez sue Walt Disney over Ruffian
 

"Trainer Frank Whiteley Jr., jockey Jacinto Vasquez, and Thoroughbred Legends LLC have filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries, ABC and ESPN, over “Ruffian,” a television movie that is scheduled to air Saturday, June 9, on ABC."

www.bloodhorse.com

I heard, pending the outcome, Pinnochio and the Wicked Stepmother are preparing similar suits.

Why is Byk using your voice today on ATRAB?

Maybe he's more disaffected than usual.

I'm all about husky, sexy voice on the radio, but hope you feel better, Steve!

Strange that the suit revolves around Nack, but doesn't include him.

I cannot imagine why anyone would want to make or watch a movie about arguably the worst day in the history of racing, particulary one that re-enacts a gruesome, stomach-turning injury in reportedly great detail. The producers should have realized what a horrible idea this film was when the trainer and jock wouldn't cooperate. Nack may be a talented writer, but he should be ashamed of himself for accepting "blood" money to participate in something that will sicken potential new fans.

We'll see what aspect of Ruffian's life is most emphasized within the movie, and sensitivity or lack of it regarding her final hours. Following your posted logic, Nack shouldn't have written a book about her in the first place. Nonsense.

The whole suit smacks of the obvious financial opportunism. Surprised Shirley Cunningham isn't involved.

Nack and the producers are the ones who sought financial gain in this matter. Whiteley and Vasquez refused to accept "blood" money to exploit this filly. Nack's book was written after the production was completed and it is obvious from the lawsuit that the producers were seeking some way to justify "inserting" him into the story so they could tell it without cooperation from people who were actually central to her story.

Isn't there a different book out there? That was the first time I ever read or heard anything about Ruffian. The ending bummed me out since I didn't know she died :(

not surprised to see that a suit was filed after getting the most recent bloodhorse, in which whitely said he didn't have 'a damn thing' to do with the movie.

they tried to cut a deal a few years ago with the trainer and jock, but didn't come to terms....so they went on without. you can't do that.
so, they'll have to insert some sort of disclaimer, and that will be that.

they can't say it's a true story, since nack truly wasn't involved. so they have to say 'based on'.

I have to wonder if Jane Schwartz, author of Ruffian, Burning from the Start, one of the finest racing books ever written despite the ending, didn't refuse to sell the rights to the ESPN/Disney people. It is unimaginable that they didn't approach her when this project was conceptualized. Perhaps, like Whiteley and Vasquez, she wanted no part of this exploitation of the filly. She clearly had the cooperation of all involved when penning her tasteful and truthful tribute.

I wonder what your hidden agenda is here Concern. You seem to be coming on pretty strong for just a casual observer.

No hidden agenda. I'm a huge Ruffian fan and, like many, was tremendously affected by her tragic death. I think this movie is terrible for racing and, from reading other message boards, many folks agree with me. I am glad that this lawsuit is bringing attention to the fraud and exploitation that this movie is.

Have you seen the movie?

No. I have talked to five folks who have and was told by all that the breakdown scene is very, very graphic. Racing cannot possibly benefit from this.

So, you haven't seen the movie, but are vilifying everyone involved with the project. Seems pretty unfair to me.

On the rest of your comments.....sorry....but I think you're completely wrong. People, like yourself, with preconceived notions will believe what they believe before viewing it. However, like it or not, this movie will be on a major network, and thus will expose racing to a large audience ( something we rarely get ). Yes, some will not like it, but some will and at least the possibility exists that some of these people will be more interested in racing after viewing it.

I loved Ruffian as well, and saw her win the Spinaway in person, and it had a great affect on me. She was the first horse I became fascinated with in a now virtual lifetime immersed in racing. I don't have great expectations for the movie but I also don't see it as a disservice to the game at all.

Just as the very real possibility exists that some will watch and see some of the great things about racing and be encouraged to attend.

I respect your right to your opinion. Many others share mine. I also think the producers are exploiting Barbaro by tying his tragedy into this film. How convenient for them that his breakdown occurred and could be "inserted" into their production. I did read a portion of Nack's self-serving Ruffian book and now wonder how much of that was true and how much was manipulated as a companion to the movie.

Good to see some of the old timers in the news.

Vasquez was always one of the more 'outspoken' jocks

remember one time someone was criticizing his riding in the paddock area
and Jacinto just looks at him and says "YEAH, but I got alot of
money".

Vasquez must be 60 or so, which makes Whiteley ????

I'm glad to hear that unlike other things you criticize, you actually bothered to read Nack's book.......oh I'm sorry....." a portion " of Nack's book.

As I noted, I found it rather self-serving. I simply had no interest in continuing.

That's fine. I don't finish every book I start as well. However, I don't vilify everyone involved from a position of weakness. Referring to as accomplished an author as Bill Nack as accepting " blood money " for being involved in this project seems more than unfair to me.

Do you know Mr. Nack in some way?

I do not buy into the thought that the Ruffian movie, and the two movies out about Barbaro, should rather be "hands off" subjects, simply because terrible tragedy was involved.

Don't speak of it, and it doesn't exist? That's the ultimate betrayal to the horses involved, no? To any horse that gets injured in this sport.

Barbaro drew thousands of casual fans into participation, at the very least via showcasing how veterinary medicine can and does care for these elite athletes. That shocked and educated alot of people who had no idea (including some quite familiar with racing).

To additionally humanize the participants surrounding the lives of these great animals, and thus opening up the heart of racing to those outside it, can only help the sport.

well, that's a hell of a way to look at it.

this movie from what i understand was far along in production before barbaro suffered his injury. a sad coincidence, but i hope not one that anyone rejoiced in, regardless of the money aspect.

No, but I've been a long-time fan of his work and was looking forward to reading his biography of Ruffian. However, I found it to read more like his own autobiography. He may well be a fascinating person, but I just not interested in reading about him.

This discussion is useless. People will think what they think.

Now, the important question I want answered is, why on earth did Padma Lakshmi marry Salman Rushdie!!

They've been together forever.

Rushdie used to be a great writer. " Midnight's Children " is a great book.....and " The Moor's Last Sigh " is very good as well.

yeah, well, still.

i know why she married him, but it's still an injustice, i tell you!

It was down to Salman or DrugS.

Only you and I know she made the wrong choice

Because of his great first name?

For fans of this great sport, and for people involved in the industry -- the Ruffian story is part of history. However, it's also part of history for people outside the sport/industry, and yes, in part due to the tragedy. Coming on the heels of Barbaro, this film may get people looking to view the history they saw, heard, etc., back when it was occuring and from whatever perspective the film comes from.

I don't think Ruffian, Barbaro or any of the tragedies are "hands-off" or anything of the like. Tragedy is history. It can spark interest, bring back bad memories, and/or many other things as well.

Eric

Unlike Barbaro's situation that spawned some positives in fundraising, etc., there was nothing beneficial for the industry as a result of Ruffian's demise and many scribes have pointed to her breakdown as the industry's darkest day. Nevertheless, I don't suggest that her story shouldn't be told and there have been a number of well-done documentaries that showcased her extraordinary career. This movie, though, is not only unnecessary but also factually incorrect and inaccurately presented if one is to believe quotes attributed to her trainer, Frank Whiteley, in the legal documents and various interviews. Whiteley is on record as stating that he has no problem with the movie if the facts were properly presented. This man was not interested in personal financial gain, as is evidenced by the fact that one of his terms not agreed upon in negotiations to sell his story was that a portion be donated to thoroughbred charities. I'll go out on a limb here, but my money says that Nack requested no such clause when negotiating his compensation.

We get the point dude, you're his lawyer. Now move on cause no one cares.

Barbaro (and others) now recover from anesthesia in a pool, rather than within the typical padded recovery room.

There's one.

Another cheap shot at Nack.

The internet is working well for you.

ruffians death didn't add anything, that's true. BUT treatment and handling of injuries have taken great strides, the vets learned a lot from her care, and others like her.

as for nack, you seem to have an issue with him--perhaps that explains your feelings about the movie...

Ruffian's tragic death was in fact the impetus to the remarkable surgery and after care that horses are receiving today. It's hard to even read a veterinary article on breaks without Ruffians name being mentioned, and in fact the Equine Hospital that serves the Southern California racetracks has a beautiful painting of Ruffian in the waiting room, with a tribute to her and an article listing all the advances since that day. Ruffian was the first race horse I absolutely loved and though I can vividly remember the heartbreak of her ordeal, she was far too great to not have a movie or story, there are so many race fans even on this board who knew nothing of her accomplishments. It's long overdue in my opinion, I just hope they do her memory justice.

I have so many mixed feelings regarding this thread.

I want to know more about Ruffian now (although I do remember reading about the match race at the time), so I ordered Jane Schwartz's book on Amazon. So maybe that's a positive about the movie. I'm also planning to read William Nack's book on Secretariat, which was highly praised. I'm not so sure about his book on Ruffian. It's only about 100 pages, and seems to be more a book of his thoughts relating to Ruffian, rather than being about the filly. If it had been a book "based on the movie," as I feared it was, I would have given it a definite pass.

The bad reviews, as well as the lawsuits, are troubling. I won't watch the movie, but I will tape it, for possible later viewing. I still can't forget seeing Go For Wand's breakdown in the Breeders' Cup. A dramatized breakdown, no matter how tastefully done, is not something I really want to watch. Please, whoever watches the movie, write a review for DerbyTrail. I trust the opinions of the people here more than movie/television critics.