Long time fan favourite Ruff Me Up is one of several horses recently adopted through the OSAS program. Very easy to identify due to his distinctive grey colour, ‘Ruffy’ served as an OSAS ambassador for several years.
The now 17 year-old gelding was a Meet & Greet horse at Mohawk on many occasions and fans loved having their photo taken with him. He was also part of OSAS’s very popular Drive With Us program and provided WEG President Jessica Buckley a ride in a Santa Claus parade in Campbellville in 2018 and 2019.
Ruff Me Up is a son of Real Artist from the Laag mare April Ruffles. He joined OSAS in May of 2017 and just a few weeks later he was featured on The Morning Show on Global TV as part of a feature done by host Liem Vu who rode with driver Jody Jamieson around Mohawk with Ruff Me Up providing the horse power.
Sold for $61,000 as a yearling, Ruff Me Up made 116 career starts as a racehorse, earning a quarter of a million in purses while competing at racetracks across North America. He began his career in the Steve Elliott barn and competed in many top stakes events as a youngster, including the 2007 Little Brown Jug where he finished eighth in his elimination behind eventual winner Tell All.
In addition to Ruff Me Up, who was adopted by Bev Rice of Barrie, Ontario, OSAS has also recently found forever homes for Chelemark Brennan, Sleek Hunter and Distintiv Dreamer.