Known as the Greatest Thoroughbred Filly, Ruffian was born at Claiborne Farm near Paris, Kentucky, on April 17, 1972, and died at Belmont Park, New York, on July 7, 1975. Ruffian captured the hearts of the racing world and all those who worked with her. One of those hearts was fictional teenager Meg Murphy. Forced to leave her horse and friends behind in Bison Gap, Montana, and move to Lexington, Kentucky, for her dad's new job, Meg struggles to fit in and be the society girl her parents dream of. All she wants is to be back in Bison Gap wearing her Wranglers and riding her horse that is until Doc, her uncle and a veterinarian, asks Meg to help him at the barn with the racehorses. Little did she know that one of the first things she helps Doc with-the birth of the beautiful filly Ruffian-would bring Meg her greatest love and heartbreak.