Genuine Risk, the record breaking filly who stared in many Hunt County Stable Tours in her retirement at The Firestone's Newstead Farm in Upperville, recently died peacefully in her paddock after a hearty breakfast. She was 31.

Described as a "fabulous filly who dared to take on the boys" in her Associated Press obituary produced with Malcolm C. Knox in Louisville, she stared in the Kentucky Derby winner's circle in 1980. "She was an amazing horse with tremendous heart who lived a life befitting a champion," owners Bertram and Diane Firestone said in a statement issued by the farm.

The Firestones purchased Genuine Risk at the request of their 14-year-old son, Matthew, in July of 1978. "We are truly blessed that she was a part of our life and we are deeply saddened by her passing."

She was an Exclusive Native mare out of Virtuous by Gallant Man and earned $646,587 and won the Eclipse Award in 1980 as the top three-year-old filly. She was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1986.

Genuine Risk was the only filly to ever finish in the money in all three Triple Crown races. After her Derby win she finished second in a controversial Preakness when she was nudged by Codex and second to Temperence Hill in the Belmont Stakes.

"Her win was a very roman-tic Kentucky Derby win and I don't think the fans ever forgot her," said Churchill Downs spokesman John Asher. "She was a special one."

She was retired after injuring her knee one morning on the backstretch of Belmont Park.

Genuine Risk was not as lucky as a broodmare. After she retired in 1981 she produced a stillborn foal by Secretariat and two other foals, Count Our Blessing in 1993 and Genuine Reward in 1996. Neither ever raced.

She was the oldest living Derby winner. Now that title goes to Alysheba, the 1987 Kentucky Derby winner who is 24.