A cruel and brutal fellow

Ruffian was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won ten consecutive races, including the Acorn, Mother Goose and Coaching Club American Oaks, then known as the American Triple Tiara.

The Ruffian is a 1983 French-Canadian crime adventure film written and directed by José Giovanni and starring Lino Ventura, Bernard Giraudeau and Claudia Cardinale.

Ruffian is a 2007 American television film that tells the story of the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame Champion Thoroughbred filly Ruffian who went undefeated until her death after breaking down in a nationally televised match race at Belmont Park on July 6, 1975 against the Kentucky Derby winner, Foolish Pleasure.

To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult.

Brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous.