Rubiano (USA)
March 26, 1987 – November 19, 2002
Fappiano (USA) x Ruby Slippers (USA), by Nijinsky II (CAN)
Family 3-o
March 26, 1987 – November 19, 2002
Fappiano (USA) x Ruby Slippers (USA), by Nijinsky II (CAN)
Family 3-o
A striking near-white gray, Rubiano was highly visible on the New York racing circuit in 1991 and 1992, earning honors as American champion sprinter in the latter year. In spite of the title, he was actually best at 7 to 8 furlongs rather than 6, though on pedigree he would have seemed suited for even more distance. He was a consistent sire of winners as a stallion, but few of his progeny approached top class. His primary legacy to Thoroughbred breeding is as the broodmare sire of the top Kentucky stallion War Front, whose progeny have been racing with great success in both Europe and North America.
Race record
28 starts, 13 wins, 6 seconds, 1 third, US$1,273,457
1990:
1991:
1992:
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion sprinter (1992)
As an individual
Officially registered as gray/roan, Rubiano was a gray horse who went white early. He was a strongly made animal with an excellent shoulder, powerful hindquarters, a straight hind leg and short cannons. He was extremely competitive as a racehorse and would try to bite rivals who crowded him. He had a powerful closing kick and was indifferent as to track surface.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Rubiano sired 361 winners (70.8%) and 33 stakes winners (6.5%) from 510 named foals.
Notable progeny
Burning Roma (USA), Impression (ARG)
Notable progeny of daughters
Take Charge Lady (USA), War Front (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Virginia, Rubiano was bred by Third Kirsmith Racing Associates. A US$650,000 yearling at the 1988 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale, he was owned by Centennial Farms and partners and was trained by Scotty Schulhofer. Rubiano entered stud in Kentucky in 1993 at Lane's End Farm and stood there throughout his stud career. He was humanely destroyed due to complications of laminitis in November 2002 and was buried at Lane's End.
Pedigree notes
Rubiano is inbred 5x4 to two-time American Horse of the Year Native Dancer and to the good Florida stallion Rough'n Tumble. He is a half brother to stakes winner Tap Your Heels (by Fappiano's champion son Unbridled), dam of 2004 Wood Memorial Stakes (USA-G1) winner and three-time American champion sire Tapit (by Pulpit) and second dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Madefromlucky. He is also a half brother to Hong Kong Jade (by Alysheba), second dam of 2009 American champion 3-year-old male Summer Bird; to Secret Red (by Secretariat), dam of Canadian Grade 2 winner Dubleo (by Southern Halo); and to Witchitoz (by Affirmed), dam of Grade 2 winner In Tune (by Unbridled's Song) and stakes winners Chitoz (by Forest Wildcat) and Affirmatif (by Unbridled's Song).
Rubiano and his siblings are out of Ruby Slippers, a half sister to 1990 Philadelphia Park Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G3) winner and useful sire Glitterman (by Dewan). Ruby Slippers, in turn, is out of the stakes-winning In Reality mare Moon Glitter, a full sister to multiple Grade 3 winner and important stallion Relaunch and a half sister to stakes winners Belle o' Reason (by Hail to Reason; second dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Chimes Band) and Battle Call (by Native Charger). The next dam in Rubiano's tail-female line, Foggy Note (by The Axe II) was a multiple stakes winner and is a half sister to Grade 2-placed stakes winner Forward Charger (by Native Charger).
Fun facts
Last updated: September 13, 2023
Race record
28 starts, 13 wins, 6 seconds, 1 third, US$1,273,457
1990:
- 2nd Jamaica Handicap (USA-G2, 8FD, Belmont)
1991:
- Won NYRA Mile Handicap (USA-G1, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Westchester Handicap (USA-G3, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Metropolitan Handicap (USA-G1, 8FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Tom Fool Handicap (USA-G2, 7FD, Belmont)
1992:
- Won Carter Handicap (USA-G1, 7FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Vosburgh Stakes (USA-G1, 7FD, Belmont)
- Won Westchester Handicap (USA-G3, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Tom Fool Stakes (USA-G2, 7FD, Belmont)
- Won Forego Handicap (USA-G2, 7FD, Saratoga)
- 3rd Breeders' Cup Sprint (USA-G1, 6FD, Gulfstream Park)
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion sprinter (1992)
As an individual
Officially registered as gray/roan, Rubiano was a gray horse who went white early. He was a strongly made animal with an excellent shoulder, powerful hindquarters, a straight hind leg and short cannons. He was extremely competitive as a racehorse and would try to bite rivals who crowded him. He had a powerful closing kick and was indifferent as to track surface.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Rubiano sired 361 winners (70.8%) and 33 stakes winners (6.5%) from 510 named foals.
Notable progeny
Burning Roma (USA), Impression (ARG)
Notable progeny of daughters
Take Charge Lady (USA), War Front (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Virginia, Rubiano was bred by Third Kirsmith Racing Associates. A US$650,000 yearling at the 1988 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale, he was owned by Centennial Farms and partners and was trained by Scotty Schulhofer. Rubiano entered stud in Kentucky in 1993 at Lane's End Farm and stood there throughout his stud career. He was humanely destroyed due to complications of laminitis in November 2002 and was buried at Lane's End.
Pedigree notes
Rubiano is inbred 5x4 to two-time American Horse of the Year Native Dancer and to the good Florida stallion Rough'n Tumble. He is a half brother to stakes winner Tap Your Heels (by Fappiano's champion son Unbridled), dam of 2004 Wood Memorial Stakes (USA-G1) winner and three-time American champion sire Tapit (by Pulpit) and second dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Madefromlucky. He is also a half brother to Hong Kong Jade (by Alysheba), second dam of 2009 American champion 3-year-old male Summer Bird; to Secret Red (by Secretariat), dam of Canadian Grade 2 winner Dubleo (by Southern Halo); and to Witchitoz (by Affirmed), dam of Grade 2 winner In Tune (by Unbridled's Song) and stakes winners Chitoz (by Forest Wildcat) and Affirmatif (by Unbridled's Song).
Rubiano and his siblings are out of Ruby Slippers, a half sister to 1990 Philadelphia Park Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G3) winner and useful sire Glitterman (by Dewan). Ruby Slippers, in turn, is out of the stakes-winning In Reality mare Moon Glitter, a full sister to multiple Grade 3 winner and important stallion Relaunch and a half sister to stakes winners Belle o' Reason (by Hail to Reason; second dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Chimes Band) and Battle Call (by Native Charger). The next dam in Rubiano's tail-female line, Foggy Note (by The Axe II) was a multiple stakes winner and is a half sister to Grade 2-placed stakes winner Forward Charger (by Native Charger).
Fun facts
- Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone repeatedly referred to Rubiano as the best horse she ever rode during her career. She was his regular pilot during his championship season.
Last updated: September 13, 2023