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At odds of 66 - 1, the California-bred, British-owned and trained chestnut Rubio triumphed by over ten lengths in the 1908 Grand National, the first American-bred win that race. His sire, Star Ruby, a half-brother to the classic winner Sceptre, was purchased by James Ben Ali Haggin and sent to his Rancho del Paso stud in California; Rubio was shipped with other Haggin yearlings to England for sale. He served time as a field hunter and pulling a service bus prior to his short, but brilliant, steeplechasing career, winning four races in 1908, but breaking down in his 1909 Grand National attempt. |
