ruffian and rachel

[Linny]

The fact is that RA accomplishment is rare not because it's "hard to do" but because in the modern era, no one ever tries.

If 3yo fillies were taking on older boys and losing on a regular basis in G1 races, then RA's Woodward stands out. As it stands, there is no way to know how tough it is, there is no standard.

The only viable comparison is to either go back in history or overseas. Yes, I understand that grass racing is very different but high class horses generally prove themselves very consistently. It goes without saying, especially in France that 3yo fillies and and do compete against older males, beginning in August at Deauville. The good ones win. I daresay that the colts that fillies like Zarkava, Darjina and Six Perfections and Miesque faced were superior to Macho Again, Bullsbay and Cool Coal Man.

For another comparison, 3yo fillies take on older males at times in Japan as well. Though it is on grass, their races tend to run more in the "American" style than the Euro.