Genuine Risk holds a special place in my heart.  For Genuine Risk was the champion of the first Derby I truly remember.  I was such a small kid.  My grandfather, who introduced me to horse racing, got such a kick after the race when I incredulously asked 'a GIRL horse won?'.  RIP Genuine Risk.

Hats off for a great champion. We have the memories of this great filly and they will live on in our hearts forever !! G-dspeed Genuine Risk.

What a wonderful mare she was!! And a class act from start to finish. They literally just do not make them like this any more.

Rest in peace, lovely girl.

When "Jenny" won the Derby, I happened to be visiting friends in Maryland.  They were not horse-racing fans and therefore a bit irritated when I insisted on being home from an outing in time to see the Derby.  What a thrill to watch her win!  I was angry for weeks over the Preakness; the only solace was that she finished ahead of Codex in the Belmont.  I cherish her Thoroughbred Legends biography.  Although she had problems carrying foals to term, from all accounts she led a good life.  May she RIP and enjoy the green pastures!

WOW! NOW WE'VE LOST 2 GREAT MARES IN ONE YEAR. RIP TO A GREAT CHAMPION!!!!!

all guts and courage about a beutiful girl

She was classy, elegant, and determined. What I wouldn't have given to look into those eyes and tell her how much we all appreciated horses like her. R.I.P. Genny. You were one in a million.

Rest in peace forever, Genuine Risk

I remember the first time I met her in Virginia. She was quite patient with us posing for photos and happily standing while her groom spoke lovingly about her. It had been a while since I had seen her so since we were in VA near the farm we stopped by this spring. We knew she was up in age, but she gladly stuck her head out to greet us and the groom there was very happy to oblige yet another visit. Whenever I think of Virginia I think of Genuine Risk. She was the closest thing we will ever have to a filly winning the Crown. What a mare.

RIP, tough girl. I remember you well, and will never forget. Both of our Derby girls have left us this year.  You take history and our hearts with you. I could not be more honored to have witnessed you both.

I remember watching her Derby with my roommate.  I was an experienced horse person, and declared that a filly would not beat the boys.  My roommate went with woman power and bet on Genuine Risk.  She cashed and I didn't, but I found myself screaming for the filly coming down the stretch.  When she went on to run so well in the other classic races, I came to the conclusion that this may well have been the greatest filly of all time.  I wish her Secretariat foals had lived.

Goodbye to a another champion now she will run with Secretairiat, Barbaro,Winning Colors and the other Great champions that have gone before rip beautiful girl.

Her passing marks the end of an era.  I'll never forget her derby win-one of the most exciting derby's ever.  She was truly a great filly, and NO FILLY has ever done what she has done-Win the derby and place 2nd in the Preakness (after receiving a whip across her face) and Belmont Stakes to fresh male horses that didn't run in the derby. Everyone thinks Ruffian is the greatest of the fillies, I disagree,  Genuine Risk is the greatest of the fillies. She was incredibly athletic and I believe she was rock solid sound through her entire racing career..  Had she stuck with the fillies,  she would have compiled a race record that I'm sure would have topped Ruffian's. Its totally unheard of that a filly can run in all three triple crown races.  Today its unheard of because they JUST DON'T breed them like that anymore,  they don't. Look at poor Eight Belles, her breeding killed her-as far as I'm concerned-anything bred to Unbridled Song is going to have soundness issues. That stud should be removed from duty along with many others out there.  One thing I can tell you is that you will never see another Genuine Risk.  Today is a sad day,  the "Queen of the horseracing World" is gone.

just makes me sad

beautiful mare

bless you girl

One of the greatest fillies ever! I remember being thrilled at her Derby win, & appalled when she was robbed of a victory in the Preakness! Always a class champion!

Godspeed, great mare.

It's been nearly three decades and yet your power and determination still shine. You were robbed in the Preakness.

The world is a poorer place without you.

I dearly loved her -- I thought I would never see a filly win the Derby.  I was thrilled when she won.

I am so glad she had the Firestones as owners.  They took great care of her.

My heart goes out to the members of Jenny's family.  We were so blessed to see such a wonderful horse.

I still have the Sports Illustrated with Genuine Risk winning the Ky Derby on the cover. So sad to have lost Winning Colors & Genuine Risk in one year. They will both be sorely missed!

Genuine Risk was well known as "The Lady is a Champ" and always will be by her many fans.  She was loved by so many and will be 'genuinely' missed by all.  My heartfelt condolences to her family and caregivers who loved and cared for her so dearly all her thirty-one precious years.  

Rest in peace, sweet "Gennie".  

This is as it should be, 31 yrs. old, produced only 2 foals that never raced, but she was happy and lived a full life, thanks to her Owners & caretakers!!!

Genuine Risk, Thanks for the memories. Would have won the Preakness if it wasn't for Codero's dirty ride on Codex.

RIP Girl, you were and are amazing. You also had wonderful owners who adored you and loved you enough to keep you, unlike most owners these days. There will never be another girl like you.

It was so sad to turn on my computer this morning and discover "Jenny" was gone.  I'll always remember screaming her home in the Derby.  I never dreamed I would see a filly win the Derby and yet there she was.  It was a dream come true.  Rest in peace, Jenny.  I'm glad you had such a good life.  You will never be forgotten.

I was not a racing fan back when Genuine Risk competed, but found  her story (Thoroughbred Legends) so compelling.  Like Ruffian, she belonged not only to the era of great racing but also to the women's movement.  

On the track, her Triple Crown record might never be matched by another filly.  As a breeder, GR disappointed, but she owed nothing to anybody, and by all accounts had a long and happy life.  RIP, golden girl, may you enjoy long gallops in green pastures forever.

The Lady will always be a champ.

Now all fillies that won or placed  are together up at that heavenly racetrack. I like to think that Winning Colors and Eight Belles, as well as Regret and Lady Navarre ( the only other filly to place in the Derby) were waiting for her.  Cleopatra and Nelly Flag, and the one or two others that ran in the Derby since 1875, would all be there as well.

Imagine the race they'll have, now that all of the "Derby Girls" are together!

RIP dear sweet Genuine Risk :( What a thrill it was seeing you win the Kentucky Derby, you were quite a gal! You will be very much missed for all the excitement that you gave us, beautiful lady!

What a lady she was. "Jenny" had it all - grit and competiveness combined with beauty and a gentle soul. We will miss this queen!  My sympathies to the Firestones at their loss.  They were wonderful owners to her.  Now she runs free once more.  So long, "Jennie."

Rest in peace courageous girl! I hope the grass is greener and the company of other Champs will help you feel right at home. Beautiful Girl, you are gone, but never forgotten.

Wow... what a sad day for racing fans. Genuine risk was a class act and a tough filly. I was 13 when she won the derby and I was with a great friend of mine that has proven to be a friendship that has lasted through the years. To this day we still talk about Genuine Risk and that derby and how we felt as young ladies watching a filly beat the boys. We had a common thread in horse racing and it carries on to this day. RIP girl.

If ever there was cause for a DQ in the Preakness it was that one.  How the stewards allowed Cordero to get away with that ride is absolutely criminal.  I think people should take a look at the head-on view of the race at the top of the stretch and judge for themselves.

Not only was I luckly enough to see her race, BUT I got to meet her twice, once in foal with "Count Our Blessing", but to see him as a baby at her side. What a great Mom!! I will never forget her, and by far is greatest filly to race. RIP dear old Jenny!

Long before super-filly Rags to Riches even existed, another resplendent chestnut gal with a distinctive white blaze made running down the boys an artform. Godspeed to the classy lady who left a permanent hoofprint on the track and in our hearts.

Saw this come across my e-mail and thought I would share:

Just a horse:

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a horse". They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the cost involved for "just a horse". Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse". Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse". but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a horse", and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a horse" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. "Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,the fond memories of the past, and the pure enjoyement of the moment.

We love you Genuine Risk!

What sad news that we've lost another great filly.  RIP you were a true champion and will never be forgotten.

Genuine Risk is a Champion Forever.  My condolences to the Firestone's on their loss, and my deepest gratitude to them for taking loving care of Genuine Risk from the day they bought her in 1978 until her death 30 years later.  

RIP Genuine Risk

I had the honor to "meet" Genuine Risk while in Virginia five years ago.  I was in awe!  Even at her age she was breathtaking. A true queen.  May she rest in peace.

Rest in Peace, dear Grand Lady. You were truly a champion for all ages. Thank you for all the wonderful memories.

Sorry to hear of the great filly's passing. Hopefully she will meet up with Winning Colors, Regret and Eight Belles and will have a blast.

Rest in peace big girl.

I am so saddened by this news; it is quite a shock even though she was 31 years old; i wish i had the opportunity to see her; she looked great; what a great race mare; Rest In Peace beautiful girl; you were, and are so loved

Bold and Beautiful

Good-by lovely lady.

Goodbye girl... you were, are, and always will be a great racehorse!

Rest in Peace!

She proved once again, that girls rule!  RIP GR.

Was saddened to read of her passing but I celebrate her long life.  I never saw her in the flesh; in September 1981 my pal Willie and I headed out to the Woodward at Belmont with hopes of seeing Genuine Risk, Belmont champ Temperence Hill and 81 Derby/Preakness victory Pleasant Colony, but the great filly was retired.  Her name shines high on the Derby paddock wall, and the Firestone's care for their champion is an example to all owners. Her death closes that championship season of the late 70's.

My deepest, heartfelt condolences go out to the Firestone's and all of those who loved and cared for her throughout her long and beautiful life. The Firestone's set the gold standard for how retired OTTB's should be cared for.

Gennie, the world you left today is now less beautful with your leaving but, the one you entered is much more beautiful with your presence. You were a class act from start to finish and you lived your life on your terms. God Bless you, sweet lady! We will always love you and miss you. Thanks for the precious memories!

I was 11 when she won her Derby and was robbed of her Preakness. A hex on Cordero and those stewards.

I loved her dearly from then on and was rooting so hard for her to have a baby make it to the races. At least she was a momma to 2 little boys even if they never ran. We'll miss you big girl.

God Speed beautiful Champion, your heart will beat in all of us. RIP

God Bless You Genuine Risk

Thanks, Genuine Risk, for 31 wonderful years.

Thanks for the wins.

Thanks for the places.

Thanks for that bright chestnut coat that glowed.

Thanks for that beautiful white blaze that shone.

Thanks for those great eyes, so sweet in the pasture, and so fire-filled at the wire.

Thanks to the Firestones for sharing her.

Thanks to LeRoy Jolley for taking such good care of her.

Thanks for the brilliant first Saturday in May, where you showed how good a lady can be.

Thanks for that show of class in that class-less Preakness.

Thanks for the champion effort in finishing 2nd in the Belmont.

Thanks to the Firestones for keeping you safe and happy and healthy all these years.

Thanks for everything, sleep well, my lady, sleep well.

even though i don't really remember genuine risk as a racehorse, i think that her accomplishments speak for themselves. farewell to a fine mare.

First Class Lady, Genuine Risk.

You made Horseracing and the World a Better Place!

Love you Always, Oh Great Champion!

We lost a great piece of history today. "The Lady is a Champ" banner to waive high. RIP Genuine Risk

RIP Jennie.  When this sad news was announced, my heart just broke.  Truly a great mare.  I will miss you sweetie and hold you in my heart forever.  They don't make them like her anymore.

Genuine Risk is the reason I came to love horse racing, as she won the first Derby I ever watched.  A few years ago, I had the privilege of having a private audience with her, where I got to feed her carrots and peppermints, and even got to take her for a walk around the barn, eventually leading her back into her stall.  That was one of the best moments of my life.  She was still so regal-looking, and just a sweetheart of a horse.  Genuine Risk was a true champion, and will be fondly remembered by racing fans, especially those of us to whom she meant so much.  My condolences to the Firestone family, and her caretaker Buck, who both loved her very much.  And thank you for sharing your beautiful filly with the rest of us.

I'm taking her death about as hard as I took Secretariat's death.  Both of them were one in a million.  She was extra special to me because that year, 1980, I had cancer and survived.  When I picked her to win the Derby, I was so pleased that I was able to live long enough to see a filly win the Derby.  I was upset when Codex swung her wide in the Preakness, and she gave us her all in the Belmont as well.  I cried when she had her first live foal and hoped he would emulate his mommy.  That was not meant to be, nor her second foal, either.  Both foals will carry her name in her pedigree, and all three will remain forever in my heart.  How sad that we lost two wonderful females this year with Eight Belles and Genuine Risk.  Both of them are running over Rainbow Bridge together.  I will never forget you, Genny.  You were my heroine.  Love you!

They sure don't make fillies like her anymore. She will be missed greatly. Now she can run with all the greats that proceeded her in death and have no more worries. Love you Geniune Risk.

Rest in peace girl!  I'll never forget you!

RIP beautiful lady... fast... corageous... a champion. God bless you.

She was a beauty, and what a runner...sigh. I was too young to see her race in her heyday, but she has always lived in my imagination. RIP to Genuine Risk, and condolences to all her connections. She was a grand dame.

Horse heaven is getting pretty crowded with all the Derby fillies we've lost this year, Winning Colors, Eight Belles and now Genuine Risk. What thrills they gave all of us and what beauty they showed us. Those who are upset about the Preakness, take heart, the girl is getting the greener grass and the clearer, colder water where she is now.

GR .....Your first trainer, John Nazareth, the man who broke you and schooled you and got you ready for the races is waiting for you...John died in Dec. of last year and is ready to take up the cause again.......May you both rest in peace.....

She showed us all how tuff the ladies can be...TC 1,2,2...Long Live The King!!!

What a trifecta of wonderful ladies Heaven now has...Gen, Colors and Belles...I have such happy-sad memories today, my Pappaw and I watching the Derby...I was eight and he rooting for the "girl horse" because he wanted his granddaughter to be a winner. They are both across the Bridge now. Say hello to him, for me, pretty girl. The stars over Kentucky and Virginia shine a little bit bright now.  

Each time I hear of the passing of one of the greats of this sport it I mourn.  Genuine Risk was such a great filly.  She won the derby so easily and she was so beautiful to look at.  It is so sad that she only had 2 babies that never raced.

I hope they breed and she will live on through them.  God bless her.

No more female Derby winners alive;

that's sad.

RIP!

I had always hoped to meet her, and Affirmed. There's something about those Exclusive Natives! :)

Her Triple Crown races were wonderful -- what a gutsy lady!

I'm glad she died a natural, peaceful death.

"And it's run for the roses as fast as you can.

Your fate is delivered. Your moment's at hand.

It's the chance of a lifetime in a lifetime of

Chance.

And it's high time you joined in the dance.

It's high time you joined in the dance.

From sire to sire, it's born in the blood. The

Fire of a mare and the strength of a stud.

It's Breeding and it's training and it's something un-Known that drives you and carries you home.

And it's run for the roses as fast as you can.

Your fate is delivered. Your moment's at hand.

It's the chance of a lifetime in a lifetime of

Chance.

And it's high time you joined in the dance.

It's high time you joined in the dance."

You were the dance...thanks for the memories.

I was a just kid when Genuine Risk was running, and I loved her the way only a little girl can love a horse she's never met. When she came third in the Wood, I told my grandma that she would win the Derby. Grandma teased me unmercifully, but I got mine back when GR came flying home. I always thought things came full circle when Forty Niner ran to get Winning Colors beat, because D.Wayne's Codex surely mugged Genuine Risk in the Preakness. Thank you, Genuine Risk, for not disappointing a little girl who believed in you with all her heart.

RIP Beautiful Girl.

Rest in Peace Genuine Risk - beautiful girl with the heart of a true champion. You will always be remembered. A huge thank you to the Firestones and all of Genuine Risk's conections who took such wonderful care of her in her golden years.

Genuine Risk raced before I was even born, but as a little girl, I read about her and later renamed my Breyer Secretariat after her.  

I was very sad to read of "Gennie's" passing but she had a long and wonderful life. How nice to see owner's that took care of her all these years, despite the fact that she produced very little as a broodmare. I will never forget watching her Preakness-one of the worst jobs ever done by stewards as far as I'm concerned. I was thinking that with the proper DQ of Codex there and perhaps no rain on Belmont Day, Genuine Risk may have been a TC winner. Imagine that!

Anyway to the Firestone's and all her caregivers-a very big THANK YOU for giving her a wonderful life after racing.  

What a great lady.  So impressive.  She leaves a big hole for many fans.   My heartfelt thanks goes out to her owners who treated her so well for all of these years.

Rest in peace, Genuine Risk.  I was there at Churchill Downs on the day that you won the Kentucky Derby!  You were blessed with a long life, unlike Eight Belles, who attempted to follow your example.

She was one in a million. RIP old girl, we miss you.

Lovely Tributes to a Lovely Lady.  The good ones always seem to have trouble reproducing themselves.  The 1980 Preakness race was stolen right out from underneath her.  She was the better horse that day.

Rest now dear girl.

A great Champion and a Great Horse.

She accomplished a feat, during one of the great era's of horse racing.

No creatures great or small could have been more loved by so many as were Genuine Risk, Winning Colors or Eight Belles. Our loss is the Heaven's gain.

farewell lovely lady.

i loved you my beautiful lady i watched and cheered you on all your races farewell

Rest in Peace sweet Genuine Risk.  You were a class act all the way, and will always be my Queen of Racing.

My sincere condolences to the Firestones and her beloved groom and all her connections, who loved her so well.

They say she never replicated herself with a foal that ran like she did, but  YOU CAN'T REPLICATE

PERFECTION.

Genuine Risk was a horse for the ages.  I doubt that we will ever see any filly come close to her incredible performance in the Triple Crown.  RIP Genuine Risk.

I saw her run as a 2 year old at Belmont and then as a three year old at Aqueduct in the Wood. She wasn't ready to beat Plugged Nickel and Colonel Moran that day but she got the best of them in the Derby. However, she really proved her greatness in both the Preakness and the Belmont.

Her run through the Triple Crown was always underrated. As we look back now, her remarkable ability is only enhanced by the complete failure of the current day thoroughbred to demonstrate the ability to even show up in the starting gate.

My congratulations to the Firestones and Leroy Jolley who demonstrated the true sporting nature of thoroughbred racing by running Genuine Risk in all three Triple Crown races against the boys. Unfortunately, we'll never see the likes of her again.

Today we lost the "Golden Girl of racing",but she will forever be remembered.I send my condolences to the Firestones and thank them for caring for Gennie after all the long years. She was class act and in my books she is the real Preakness winner of 1980. May your "Lady is a champ" banner always wave high in the racing world and in the world of all who loved you.

May you frolic in heaven with the other derby gals.

Rest In Peace  Sweet one,sleep well.

VAYA CON DIOS AMIGA!

Tough and true - she was all race horse.  Now even time will not slow her down anymore.  We should all be thankful for the memories and toast her long life.

Here's to beauty....she was all that and more.

God Bless you Genuine Risk and my thoughts are with all who loved you!

Rest In Peace, Genuine Risk. I hoped I wouldn't read of your passing for a few more years. But you had a good life with the Firestones and are an example of how all horses should be treated - always taken care of, always safe, always loved. I hope you find Winning Colors and Eight Belles in your new life. God Bless all of you.

Goodbye Risk.  I'll never forget your Derby win, and I'll always have the SI with your image gracing the cover: "The Lady is a Champ!" Enough said.  

I remember the day she won the Derby like it was yesterday. Such a thrill to watch her win and then of course my heart bleed for her in the preakness. Both Codero and Pat Day have to answer to God for what they did to Genuine Risk and Winning Colors.    

Sweet Precious Lady, you have always been in my heart and I am so sad that you are no longer with us here on earth.  You will always be in my heart and I will always remember the champion you are and have always been.

Rest in peace sweet girl, I love and will miss you awful.

Genuine Risk was strong filly when I was young to watch her in derby and she defeated the boys ! I remembered I watched her in Preakness, how angry I was when Cordero on Codex bumped her wide turn and not able to win. Unfortunetly she didn't win the Belmont but of course she still strong.. Sad news to hear of loss beloved one since Eight Belles.

RIP Jenny & Belles, I love you with my whole heart.

As she raced that day in the Derby I held in my hand a small charm of a horse.  As she won I was so excited I started clapping wildly.  Imagine my suprise when I looked down to find this small horse with it's 4 legs firmly imbedded in the palm of my hand. Never felt it go in. Every year I wear this charm (along with a race horse charm with all 4 feet off the ground)and I clutch it as I root for my favorite during the Triple Crown but to me it has always been the charm of Genuine Risk even more so now.  I will miss her spirit being here on earth. You were one classy lady.

I knew she'd take the Derby, if entered, from the finish of the Wood. I had already become a "Genny" fan just watching her come in third.

After the Derby, I talked my dentist out of the SI that yelled "The Lady is a Champ" and then sent a letter to the Firestones, c/o Pimlico. I didn't really expect to hear anything back, just felt I had to do it. Then, an envelope arrived with a glossy 8 X 10 of her during a morning work at Pimlico. Yep, I was a Genuine Risk fan. Her Derby win, Preakness robbery and Belmont heart helped pull me from the final clouds that had settled on me during Ruffian's breakdown.

I cry at her leaving, not as a life cut short, like others this year and last and 33 years ago, but as a friend who will be greatly missed and a life that gave so much to so many with so much grace and class.

My deepest condolences to the Firestones. Thank you for all the years of keeping her safe and healthy. Through her, you brought a great many people joy.

Thank you, Genuine Risk, for your life. You will be greatly missed.

Good-bye, my friend.

I am looking at a tic-tac box that has a piece of yellow legal paper on it that says in my best 12 year-old handwriting "Genuine Risk Belmont Stakes June 7, 1980."  It is filled with dirt from her hoofprint from the Belmont paddock.  She was one of my all-time favorites and I can so distinctly remember the Derby and especially the Preakness, although I was from NY I always hated Cordero for being dirty (now I respect him, but still - he was dirty) but I remember the whip in the face in the Preakness.  I got my Dad's partner to take me to the Belmont and till the day I die I will remember that beautiful filly walking by me and a NYC cop in a dress uniform - I thrust my program at him and said only "Officer, could you....?"  He somehow knew what I wanted and said in his best NYC accent "Sure, kid." and he scooped up the dirt from her hoofprint and handed it to me.  I ran to my Dad's partner and said "Look!  It's the dirt Genuine Risk stepped in!"  He said "That's great!" and then, "What are we going to do with it?"  We both looked around, not knowing what to do, when he pulled out a full box of tic-tacs and quickly emptied it, saying "In here!"  I took it home, and in my best penmanship wrote that little note on yellow legal paper...and here it sits....she ran with the boys and beat them, what a great, great filly and what a special heart she had.  May she rest in peace.

I fell in love with Genuine Risk when I was a horse crazy teenager watching her win the Derby on television. She had such beauty and class that I was completely captivated. She was one of my all time favorite racehorses and the news of her death was devastating. My sympathy goes out to the Firestones and her caretakers. RIP beautiful Jenny!

My Lady, I have no words for the loss I feel;  you were a source of great joy for me throughout your life, and I thank you.  Time may have robbed the world of your presence, Dear Lady, but your legend will live on.

Blessed Be, Genuine Risk.

The world has lost a true Champion. Like Jeff A said, "we'll never see the likes of her again." Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Firestone for setting the standard in Honoring, Loving and Caring for a Heroine and a lovely Lady.

Rest in Peace Sweet Girl. I love you.

Lee

Fan of Barbaro, Lover of Genuine Risk

RIP beautiful lady. I was a kid going through some rough times when she crossed the wire in the Derby. She was definitely a hero of mine who took away from those troubles for a time. I'm so glad that I got to see her in 2007. My heart goes out to her constant companion Buck.

The big picture in my TV room of Genuine Risk will always be dispalyed.  "You can never underestimate the heart of a champion" is the byline.

Rest in peace beautiful girl.  You will always be one of my favorites.

You know, if she hasn't been buried yet, here is a lady who should be interred at Louisville.  What a nice tribute it would be for her.  What a classy mare!!  God love you.

So sorry to hear of the passing of this classy lady.  She showed that sweet temperment and brilliant speed and tenacity can go hand in hand.  You will be deeply missed by those who loved you and those who merely admired from afar.  

Beautiful Genuine Risk...forever a champion--you will be missed, but it's a comfort knowing you had a long and wonderful life so well cared for by people who adored you...all horses should be so fortunate.  A big "thank you" to Mr. & Mrs. Firestone for giving her a life of dignity befitting such a champion and for always being willing to share your lovely mare with us.

The greatest legacy any horse can leave is to pass on their heart and ability. Find her son Genuine Reward and breed one nice mare to him. If everyone bred just one good mare he may throw a racehorse. Don't let her line die with her. God love you and keep you close Genuine Risk.

JonathanSr: great post! I loved your story of scooping up the dirt GR stepped in. It's nice to know there are other folks like me in this world.  I will never forget I was in a business meeting and we had a "motivational" speaker. I was sitting in the front row and he was talking about being successful and he was asking everyone who they admired and if they could meet one person in the world that inspired them, who that would be.  When he got to me, without even a thought I said "Smarty Jones". Of course that was right during his triple crown quest and I loved his tenacity and toughness. Very few people in the crowd knew who he was and I kindof got a blank stare from the speaker but I explained who Smarty was and why I admired him. Most people thought I was nuts and got a good laugh out of it but the truth is I would much rather stand in the presence of a great thoroughbred than get the autograph of a celebrity any day of the week. I wish I could have met GR, keep your fond memories alive of the days you got to see her in person. For you truly are one lucky man!

Even know I wasn't alive to see Genuine Risk race the triple crown, I still believe that whatever effort she gave on the track, is just as much as winning the triple crown! I think that every racehorse who sets foot on a track should get credit for trying their best, and I definatly think that Genuine Risk gave all the love and effort she had to become an amazing filly! Rest in Peace Genuine Risk! I love You!!!

I never saw her run as I live in the UK, but my condolences go to all those who loved the great horse so much.

Sadly all of us and the horses have to "leave" one day, but it is comforting to read the posts that so many of you appreciate the pleasure that Genny gave to so many people.

God Bless and Keep you Always - RIP

When I was very very young my grandfather took me to the races.  But we were West Coast people, never got back East.  So I saw California horses and visiting Eastern royalty.   I never Genny live and in person, but by Epona goddess of horses I wish I had.  Genny's had all the rest she needs.  I hope she's young again, her tail high, racing across the heavens with all the greats she truly belongs with.

God Speed Genuine Risk.  You lived a good life on Earth.  You are loved and you will be missed.  I'll make up an address for you soon :)  With all my love... rose...........

The day "Genny" won the Derby, was the day I became a female chauvinst.  The minute you saw her, you knew she was all girl, gorgeous with that beautiful blaze, and just to look at her was truly beautiful.  I have a beautiful huge framed signed print of Genny winning the Derby, so I will always have her near me.  But so sad, she could not produce.  Dear Girl, you will never be forgotten.

A beautiful and elegant lady who was a champion through and through.  What a blessing to have met her and been in her presence for a few moments.

RIP sweet Genny and deepest condolences to her humans who cared for and loved her so very much.

A great filly, a true champion. Better than most of the

"boys" - you are a legend, remembered forever.

Thank you to the owners who took enough care of her to let her live out her life in happiness and style.  I know it was a privledge and how much you will miss her.

My condolences

After I read the email alert news of her passing away, expected but nonetheless unprepared for, my husband came to my office and we went outside for a few moments of hugs. He told me something he thought was "e-special".....that the wikipedia entry for Genuine Risk had already been updated...within minutes. That's just a teeny tiny example of how important this mare was to the equine world.  RIP, sweet girl, the queen of all racing, oldest living Classic winner...you are the end of an era....we will miss you

very much, and hold you in our hearts dearly, now and always. Say hello to Gato, the both of you young again:)  And yes, oh yes, you were robbed in the Preakness..  Thank you Joyce and Buck, for her horseshoe and lock of her gorgeous mane.  Goodbye....we are so sad.

This is not a sad day. This is a day to salute a great race horse who was lucky enough to live a long life and was loved to the end. I wish every race horse would get blessed with such a life.She and Fleet Indian share that same brave, strong heart and mind. Genuine Risk will always be a "stand out" in history. I'm sure it is hard for everyone that was in her life to see her paddock empty today.

I was saddened to read of the death of "Genuine Risk" but she lived a long and wonderful life.  Her owners are certainly to be commended for their care of her but let's not forget there are also other owners who have kept their older greats around or even gone to the extent of buying them back in their declining years.  Remember the Hancock's buying "Gato" back and bringing him home to his birthplace.  I saw him as the last surviving male Kentucky Derby winner in 2005 and what an experience it was.  

I can't add anything more to the wonderful remembrances about Genuine Risk already written here.  I can only provide an update on her second foal, now named Wesley.  He is enjoying a very happy life in NY as an equestrian jumper and is being well cared for by an associate of mine.  I hope to get in the saddle soon.

What a thrill she was. Thank you, and I send condolences to the Firestone and Newstead families. You all have shown us the best qualities in HR -- the ultimate thoroughbreds, horse and owners.  

Wow, Tom D, that is so cool. I would be so proud to tell everyone I was riding an own son of Genuine Risk. Makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. How old is he now? It's nice to have an update. Thanks!

Just a sad sad day.  I had the wonderful fortune of seeing Genuine Risk twice in the last couple of years at the Firestone's Farm in VA.  She was a gentle soul with the eyes of a champion -- very regal.  But what I'll always remember is how her long time groom - Buck - who has been with her since she was a 2-year old loved her and proudly told us stories of Genuine Risk when she was on the track.  Buck and the Firestone's took such wonderful and loving care of her after GR's retirement and for that I will always be grateful.  I will miss seeing her again.

I was in high school when Genuine Risk won the derby...and I also have the Sports Illustrated issue with her picture on the cover.  She and Seattle Slew are my all time favorites, and though I mourned their deaths I was happy to know how much these horses were cherished by their owners.  These animals, who give their all for our pleasure, deserve such treatment, and not the horrible fate of Ferdinand.

Reading all these comments is making me cry, She was one of the greats, I remember her as a two year old going 4 for 4 and beating the 2yr old champion female in the process. She turned 3 and beat the boys on Derby Day,she was mugged by a villan named Cordero in Maryland, and she ran great in the slop in The belmont, I sent 3 roses,3 black eyed susans, and 3 carnations to the Firestones on Belmont day, The thanked me and sent me a picture of this great filly, I will treasure it forever, RIP Genny, This Lady is a Champ

Every now and then in our lifetime we get to experience something that just makes you want to take a step back and say Wow, I got to see something truly special. Genuine Risk was one of those for me. I say rest in peace Angel...

Thanks for the thrills, Genuine Risk!

Genuine Risk holds a very special place for me. I was studying Talmud, a very serious religious (Jewish) and observant fledging scholar the year of Genuine Risk's Derby. I KNEW WITHOUT DOUBT after Genuine Risk's Wood Memorial that she was going to win the Derby. I happened to be speaking with the Dean of Students- a Rabbi- about the upcoming summer session and happened to mention that the summer program began "the day after the Belmont." The Dean startled-what was I, serious relgious student doing mentioning "the Belmont" and "horse racing." Then he sat back "counselor like" and gazed at me, pretending to be going into a pastoral session. "So, Ellen who do you like in the Derby?" It was the week before the Run for the Roses. Well, Rabbi...." I responded. "Don't listen to me. I often pick winners-- but this time don't go by me. Because female horses DO NOT win the Derby and I "know" it will be the filly, Genuine Risk! "

The rest of course is history -- and the next week several of the most prominent,scholarly, respected, and sometimes stolid  rabbis and professors congratulated me!  My prowess "as a bookie" spread throughout the school and they continued asking for racing picks throughout the tenure of my degree work there!

I have wanted to cry since I heard the very sad news...

Genuine Risk's Derby victory was one of the three most thrilling races I've ever seen, right up there with Secretariat's Belmont.  I think her win had special meaning for every woman who had ever been told she wasn't good enough.  Rest in peace!  

I'll miss you forever my beautiful "Princess".....

1980 was when I really got into racing and I remember talking about this race with my high school buddies. Not one of us gave her a chance, but she proved us wrong and we were left speechless. She opened our eyes to the possibilities and forever endeared us with her grace. Goodbye great one, your'e the one that proved that nothings impossible when guts and determination are on display.

What a great horse you were. RIP and thank you Genuine Risk

You were one of the last great ones from the 70's.Beautiful red girl.You will be forever missed.Thanks to your owners for loving you and knowing their responseabilty to you taking care of you all your life.They must be wonderful people the Firestones.

I remember when a friend took me to Three Chimneys to see Geniune Risk.  She was in a field with other broodmares.  She was still so beautiful to watch when she was in full-stride.  I will miss her so I will cherish the memories of the brief meeting that I had with her.

A magnificent Thoroughbred has left us for Equine Heaven. I long for the day when all retired Thoroughbreds will enjoy the quality of life that the great Genuine Risk enjoyed. I remember her determined performances in the Triple Crown. She was not only a credit to fillies, but to all Thoroughbreds. Rest in peace, dear girl.

I cry every time a new set of these memories appear. I've copied them, combined them with my own pictures and shared them with my friends. Thank you all!!!!!!!!

We all knew what it would mean for Genuine Risk to win the Derby; there was a lot of extra exitement and tension for the race. There have been few more exciting calls in racing than Dave Johnson's call:

"Here comes Genuine Risk...and Genuine Risk on the outside takes the lead......Only the 2nd filly in history to take this mile and a quarter classic.

I also solute Buck, the Firestones and everyone involved in her life and care. I've read some great Thoroughbred books and frankly I'd like to know more about the grooms and exercise riders of these remarkable athletes. The stories Buck could tell about this great filly!!! That's what I want to know.

FYI, Nan Mooney's "My Racing Heart" has some of these stories, plus her grandmother's story on Regret, the first filly to win the Derby, and a horse that had more to do than most in making it the centerpiece of American racing.

Take care, folks. Remember your heroes and heroines and honor them by adding new ones.

Jenny looked so beautiful with those roses on her! Next to Seattle Slew's win and, possibly, Sunday Silence's, this was my favorite Derby win.  Although she lived a long, peaceful life -- we will all miss her.

Jenny-I pulled out my 1980 Sports Illustrated derby issue last evening.  The cover said "The Lady is a Champ".  A Champ and a Lady you were.  You will be missed, loved, and remembered forever.  Enjoy your gaunts with Secretariat over the green pastures of heaven.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Genuine Risk.  She was a true champion and a beautiful filly.  Rest In Peace Genuine Risk and run with all the other great horses.

One of the best memories of my life is traveling to Newstead Farm three years ago, where I met "GR" in person and even held her as she grazed.  John ("Buck") Moore was so gracious and generous with his time.  It was very clear that those two loved each other very  much.  I spent about one hour with GR and Buck, and he even gave me a copy of the cover from Sports Illustrated......"the lady is a champ".  I fell in love with her on the spot, and will never forget the experience.

I saw every race that she ran some of the in person. I am very sorry she was my favorite filly of all time rest in peace champion mare,

I did a school bus charter the weekend she won the Derby, and along with two other drivers, we spent the weekend at some camp in upstate NY. We went to OTB and bet Genuine Risk in the Derby, watched the race and won money!! We were so broke in those days and so thrilled to win, especially since the OTB was filled with men who said she had no shot and didn't belong in the race. I remember having a wonderful dinner out, thanks to the great lady. She was class all the way.

As an update on her first foal, Genuine Reward. He is standing in Wyoming and is healthy and happy at 15. He does cover some mares and was in the breeding shed early this summer. His caretakers say that he is a very good guy and one of the favorite horses in the barn. I hope to be able to head north see him, one of these days, as I live in Colorado.

Thank you to the Firestone's for giving her the long, beautiful retirement she, and all horses, deserve. I have a question as well. Although she did not produce well, did her daughters? I have a "skip a generation" theory I use. If anyone knows, please follow up. If they did not produce than God gave all of us a great one for a long time.

Run with the wind forever beautiful, lady.

She was a beautiful a classy mare. What was the cause of her death? I think she should have a very special memorial. Where is her final resting place going to be. I think it would be great if she could be with Eight Belles at the museum. She was special. Will miss her.

I was in my first year of law school at Stanford when this beautiful blaze-faced filly won the roses and showed her heels to "the boys."  Women were only about a quarter of my law school class and while I wasn't a bra-burner I did see her victory as an affirmation of what "we" females could do.  I proudly ordered the Sports Illustrated cover with the caption "The Lady Is a Champ!" showing her crossing the wire at the Derby and, upon graduation, placed it beside my desk when I became a litigator and law professor.

Cordero's ride on Codex in the Preakness stole away the victory she deserved and crossed the line  from "race-riding" to foul play.  He not only carried Risk quite wide at the top of the stretch but came awfully close to striking her in the face with his whip.  But she still finished a determined second at Pimlico and second again in a muddy Belmont to a fresher Temperance Hill, for the best overall record of any filly in the Triple Crown.

To some extent Risk's success helped to assuage the loss from Ruffian's death five years earlier, and Risk fittingly won the Ruffian Stakes later in 1980.

I've long wondered whether her difficulties as a broodmare arose from her very demanding campaign as a three-year old.  Anthropomorphizing her (as I do the horses I love) and analogizing her to an especially high-powered "career woman," I wondered if she showed through these difficulties how hard it really is to "have it all."

Kudos and sympathy to her devoted owners, the Firestones, who loved and took care of her until she peacefully left us, at age 31, for greener pastures.  A horseshoe of roses will mark her grave and this great champion will hold a very special place in my heart.

RIP beautiful lady.  I was so sad to hear that you were gone.   Thanks for all the memories of a wonderful race filly who beat the boys.  You were so elegant yet tough and had the heart of a champion.  

  And I hope  you haunt Cordero and the MD stewards for being such cowards, they couldn't beat you fair and square so they cheated.

  And I'm so glad that you were owned by the Firestones---the classiest of owners who loved you dearly and made sure that your life was long and happy.  I will never forget your beautiful face and those eyes.

I was in college when I saw her race in the Derby (on TV). What a race it was! I am so happy to hear that she lived 31 years, but am very saddened to hear of her passing. My condolences go out to all of her people. It feels like the end of an era. She was a true champion!

I had the great fortune of meeting Jenny when she was stabled at Three Chimney's broodmare division. Never have I met a more sweet, gentle Lady of a horse - but there was no mistaking the fire that still burned in her eyes! Her groom was quick to point out that, ladylike or not, she always got her way - a true Lady and Champion! Meeting her was one of the highlights of my life and I treasure the memory. Rest in peace Champion Lady, you are truly missed, fondly remembered and my favorite racehorse of all time.

Goodbye beautiful girl....you were a great champion.  I gasped when I saw the headline in the sports section of my newspaper.  I will miss you forever, and forever keep you in my heart.

Sweetheart, thank you for showing us how to be brave and courageous.

You did more than race. You were such an inspiration to women and girls.  God bless you and keep you.

I too remember her career, and have followed her retirement to some extent.  A truly great mare in the history of racing.  

I am a horse owner and I love these animals, I was always on the web checking up on GENUINE RISK. I was so upset to read of her passing.  Dont you worry there girl, Ruffian, Winning Colors and Eight Belles will be there waiting for you.  You girls are going to have a blast, look down on the next fillies to run in the Big Races and give them a little bit of your wisdom.   MISS YOU RISK!!!!!

God Speed Genuine Risk. You are a great champion,a class act all the way and we will miss dearly. Thanks for everything!

Wow! There are so many of us who remember how magnificent she was. I was so taken by her that I did a charcoal drawing of her head, she was beautiful. I know she lived a wonderful life, and I praise her connections for loving her in spite of her fertility issues.

Run with the wind, great lady.

I remember Genuine Risk, "Gennie," so well.  What a classy lady she was.  I was so excited when she won the Kentucky Derby, the first filly since the appropriately named Regret in 1915, the year my mother was born.

Kudos to the Firestones for providing her with such a fine OTTB life.  They have indeed set the gold standard for how all OTTBs should be treated.

She not only set a record for the Derby, but for longevity.  I only regret that I never got to meet her in person.  I hear that she was a lady, but could also be a "hoot!"

Rest in Peace beautiful lady.

Lily,

Unfortunately, Genny had no daughters. However, she has several granddaughters. Looks like we'll have to wait on those.

Many of Genuine Reward's foals have won races. They're out there and several are stallions, so Genny's line won't disappear quite yet. Here's praying for one to make it into the classics! I'll scream for them, colt or filly, in Genny's name, like I did 28 years ago!

My heart goes out to the Firestone family and to Buck He’s been with her so very long. What I life he gave her. Her time came. Time can take away but it can’t erase. Love shared lives on. Love felt lives on. Thank you so much. To Genuine Risk all my love.

We can't protect ourselves from the inevitable. Someday my dog Lobo will go, he saved my son from suicide; he's 12 now. Someday my Little Nipper will go, along with her loved Nijinsky attitude. I'm her 5th rescue & she'll be severly lame for the rest of her life.

Someday even we will be gone. We do the very, very best we can; we live by the words spoken and unspoken in the golden rule; we are Good Samaritans to the extent we are able by our circumstances; and, in so doing, we leave our hearts open to be torn unsunder by the depth of love that we have created and shared. Such is our preparation.

Jim: Beautiful words Jim.

Rest in peace, girl. Rest in peace.

I cant even believe she is gone. A true champion has just left the world and has left me devastated. She was ana amazing racer. We can never ever forget this beautiful little girl.

R.I.P. Genuine Risk. Barbaro, Lost in the Fog and all the others are awaiting your arrival.

Jim, Wow.....that was truly a great post. Thank you for sharing it with us.

I watched Genuine Risk win the Derby at a time when I didn't watch much racing and wasn't aware of the racing world.  I fell in love with her and still think they should change the order of finish in the 1980 Preakness and give her the win she rightfully deserves.  Nothing against Codex, he was a wonderful horse.  To come back and run a strong second in the mud in the Belmont was unprecedented.  What a talented, athletic beautiful filly.    I love it that the Firestones were such wonderful people and treated her with the loving care she was so worthy of.   Rest in peace beautiful girl.   You will be missed!

I give her owners credit, AND I NEVER give anyone credit because I'm not a nice parson, but the Firestones gave her a wonderful retirement.  I commend them for  allowing her to have a dignified and lengthy life of leisure.  That's how it should be, and "Risk" deserved it.

So many people have said so many marvellous things about this grand mare whom the racing world has just lost. My thanks to the Firestones for being such great caregivers and for sharing their beautiful girl with all of us. She may be gone, but she will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace, gentle lady.

My pray are with the Firestones & "Jenny". Thank you LeRoy Jolly for good job with Genuine Risk.  She worked hard to gallop in the triple crown. She's so brilliant chestnut coat with white blaze that I love her very much. Too bad that she didn't produce very well but glad she has her only two sons.

Wish to have DVD about "Genuine Risk's Story".  

God bless gorgeous girl.

Genuine Risk was most certainly a filly for the ages when she ran the Kentucky Derby and won.

I remember her elegance, poise and maturity which she retained throughout her long life.

She was respected, admired and loved by many and she gave as good as she got.

Genuine Risk, you will always be remembered and held dear in the hearts of all who had the honour to see and know you over the years.

Rest In Peace, beautiful lady.

Free At Last!

Hats off for Genuine Risk. She will be missed.

I was coming home from a three man basketball tournament with my brother and friend and we listened to the Derby on our car radio...I can still remember Dave Johnson's historic "And Genuine Risk is genuine".....Cordero mugged her with Codex in Preakness but she just wasn't as good as Codex....the thing about her nobody remembers is while she was hangin' with the boys in the Classics, another filly named Bold'N'Determined was winning everything else in sight, and they finally met, noses on the wire, probably the greatest 3yo Filly tandem in The Sport's history! I'm sure Bold'N'Determined lost the Eclipse but--How? hey shouldda split the vote---but Leroy Jolly, such a class act, he had Foolish Pleasure and Honest Pleasure but his Genuine Risk is part of Racing Lore....deservedly so, she was genuine!

I was a huge fan of Genuine Risk, especially since I was only 15 and very into the whole ERA thing.

Coming out of the 70s w/ my fave Slew, then Affirmed and the Bid, I was more than delighted to have a filly come along to beat the boys.

I can clearly recall how my Grandpa and I felt that Codex and Codero bugged her in the Preakness, but she hung tough.

I was such a fan that when my 9th grade class took our graduating trip (in the days of jr. high 7, 8, and 9) to Magic Mtn. I had my little transistor radio to hear the call of the Belmont. My good friend and fellow horse lover were glued to the radio to hear the call of the Belmont. We were bummed that she didn't win, but felt vindicated to have Codex finish behing her.

In the 80s we waited anxiously for her to have a foal, but cried when the Secretariat colt was stillborn. I guess it was not meant to be, a great broodmare career, but she will live forever in my heart.

Been following her, esp. in recent years and was glad she lived so long. The fact that she didn't have to be "put to sleep" seemed the right way to go.

--- CJ "The Genuine Spectacular Affirmed Slew" as I called myself in those days.

Genuine Risk was unbelievable.  I can close my eyes and see her run.  she may be gone from this world, but will never be forgotten by those who saw her win the Derby.  We need to find solace in the fact that she lived a very long life and was well taken care of by her owners.  May all horses get at least half of what she did care wise.  

does anyone have a farm name, address and/or phone number of the farm in wyoming that Genuine Reward is at? I have wanted to get in touch with them in reguards to breeding to him. my email is LadyAurla@AOL.com

I remember watching the derby,preakness and belmont. I was holloring for her in all three race's. I waited for the long arrival of her first foal by secretariat and those afterward's too. she was a great filly, one who will never be forgotten like winning color's and eight belles. they don't breed or train them like those great's anymore. but, now she's up there running with all the great's that have left us during the year's. who, know's she might be out running all of them. rest in peace genuine risk your name like many other great's will not be forgotten. good-bye to the "the queen of heart's" may she forever rest in peace.

I was in Las Vegas at the now defunct Harry Gordon's Race & Sports Book accompanied by a friend. Genuine Risk was 200-1 in their Kentucky Derby future book line. I remember thinking that she had defeated Smart Angle at two, and was unbeaten. Yet she was denied the Eclipse Award for Juvenile Fillies unfairly. I had $22 cash left, and we had to return to Costa Mesa, California. I bet $2 on Genuine Risk, and spent the other $20 on gasoline. I remember watching the Wood Memorial on network television in Wheaton, Illinois. When Genuine Risk got beat Jim McKay immediately sought out Leroy Jolley and asked if he still intended on starting her in the Kentucky Derby. He never hesitated, and flat said, no.

Clearly the Firestones had a say in policy. And we all know what followed.

i loved you big girl you really should have been made winner of the preakness i know that now you are in heaven with eight bells running and playing and free from pain

You're such a beautiful lady

Genuine Risk.You have proven the

girls can be champions in any situation.Your grace and beauty will always be remembered.

Your's was the first Derby I took a special interest in.  An interest that has led to 28 more seats in front of a TV the first Saturday in May.  You were my first champion.  My first love of horse-racing.  You are the filly we judge all future fillies to.  Rest In Peace sweet champion.  Enjoy your time now in the Lord's Fields of Green.

What a magnificent mare! Truly a classy girl.  You'll be so missed by all, especially Buck.  I was lucky enough to breed my mare to Genuine Reward, and to get a beautiful, chestnut filly, not a racehorse, as she was 1/2 Percheron.  I loved and cherished her until she had to be euthanized this past June 30th because of EPM-her name was Genuinely Sweet.  So, hopefully Genni is running around somewhere with her famous grandma!

I can remember that Kentucky Derby like it was yesterday. I was just a little girl, but was old enough to know that I had to root for the filly. My parents had this awfully ugly brown sofa with huge pillows. I always pretended that one of those big pillows was my horse and we were racing to win the Derby. Atop my make-believe steed, we nestled in as close to the tv as possible. I was bouncing up and down, pretending to be there riding Genuine Risk to victory. My parents sold that old sofa years later in a garage sale, the cushions squished and deformed from all those races passionately won right there in the family room!

okay I was 15  and was watching  the wood memorial.  genuine risk came in 3 ed . at  that very moment I knew she was  the derby winner , after  the derby I was horse with screaming her on to  the win, she was my hero !!

my dad looked at me  and never douted my handycaping talents.

she made me look good!!

thank you  

bye

ny falcon

Genuine Risk was a true champion. I followed her career and loved her so much. I have a large framed poster of her with her first living colt then less than a week old (it was on the cover of Blood Horse magazine). The look in her eyes tells me she was a kind and loving mother. My condolences go to the Firestones and her groom who cared for her so tenderly all these years.

Genuine Risk, you will be remembered forever. As a 9 year old girl, I sat on the corner edge of our coffee table during your history-making Derby run. You were one gutsy filly and a champion for the record books. Love & prayers for you, your loving owners, and everyone who cared for you. Run in Peace, beautiful girl.

I was fortunate enough to have worked in the broodmare division at Three Chimneys when Genny was there, she was fantastic, and we became buddies (well, she tolerated me) because I brought her peppermints everyday. I cried when I saw that she had passed on when I got my Blood Horse that week. She really was one of a kind, and you could tell she was special just in the way she carried herself and in the way she behaved...she was swaybacked and had an awful looking knee at that time, but she was always the queen and she knew it. Always the alpha mare, and poor Jeanne Jones or Summer Sketches took the brunt of it most of the time. I'll never forget that time in my life and will always remember the time I spent with her. I'm comforted to know that she went her way, peacefully and with dignity, the way she deserved to.

First derby,or for that matter,first horse I ever bet on.Thanks for the thrill I got that day,and for the many thrills I've got since in this great game that you helped introduce me to.May you rest in peace.You will always be my first.

What a grand lady she was.  To win the Derby, finish 2nd in the Preakness and Belmont was incredible! It is hard for any horse to do and she did it with guts and style.  People I work with could not understand my sadness the day she passed on, but I know all here understand.  May her memory never leave us.

I wasn't into horseracing. However, I recently started to watch.

I've seen videos of Genuine Risk. What an AMAZING horse! She was not only beautiful, but a champion through and through. I bought her Legends book, too.

Rest in peace beautiful girl! What a classy horse!!

Genuine Risk was the female version of Affirmed.  She was wonderfully talented and courageous and will be missed.