By Sean Cronin
Godolphin newcomer Ruling Court (Justify–Inchargeofme {GB}, by High Chaparral {Ire}) caused a stir when knocked down for a sale-topping €2.3-million at Arqana's Breeze-up sale in May and made another huge splash with an imperious performance to earn a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette in Thursday's Martin Densham & Peter Deal Memorial British EBF Maiden Stakes at Sandown.
The seven-furlong contest has earned its status as an important staging post with recent winners including Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), Nostrum (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Kameko (Kitten's Joy). Ruling Court becomes the ninth Rising Star for his upwardly mobile sire (by Scat Daddy), whose European honour roll includes City Of Troy and Ramatuelle.
The 4-9 favourite was slowly into stride and raced off the pace in rear until taking closer order in the home straight. Looming large out wide passing the quarter-mile marker, he quickened to the fore approaching the final furlong and powered clear in the closing stages to easily outclass Pantile Warrior (GB) (Frankel {GB}) by a hugely impressive 5 1/2 lengths.
Ruling Court was sold at Arqana by Norman Williamson of Oak Tree Farm. The last horse Willamson consigned that went on to earn a Rising Star is Classic winner Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), and the leading consignor was effusive in his praise of the latest recipient. Speaking shortly after the race, he said, “I must say that I was as worried watching the race as I was when I was selling him! I have been speaking to Charlie [Appleby] about him over the past number of weeks and the vibes have been very good. Interestingly, the vibes have been getting better every week, so it's a great result.”
Williamson added, “It's funny, the last horse I had that got a TDN Rising Star was Eldar Eldarov, and Ruling Court looked very good as well. What I loved about him was that he was off the bridle round the bend and then, within a half-furlong, he was upsides. He has that acceleration.”
Whatever stress Williamson went through in watching Thursday's race, it can scarcely compare to what the consignor faced in France. After Ruling Court stood on a nail leading up to the breeze, it was touch or go whether the colt would be able to take part at all. Not only did he manage to take part, but he ended up topping the various times sheets, and in doing so went some way in justifying Williamson's high opinion of him in the ring. On Thursday, he took it to the racetrack.
“He twisted a shoe and stood on a nail the night before the breeze,” Williamson explained. “He came through the breeze and he obviously had time off and we had to stand over him for three weeks. Thankfully, he's back in great shape, as he proved today.”
Asked if he felt extra pressure with Ruling Court given the price tag, he continued, “I did and I'll tell you why us breeze-up consignors feel the pressure. It's because we're galloping them. For us old-time jockeys, we should have an idea as to how good or bad a horse is, or what their temperament is like, so we can take everything into account. We are definitely a long way down the line in being able to pick out if a horse is good or not. Therefore, the more I know about a horse, the more I am worried when it comes to watching them run because you have stood there and told the buyer if you think they are good, no good or if they will win a race. On this occasion, we thought he was quite a good horse the whole way through. You'd have hated to see him come out and run bad, that's for sure.”
Ruling Court was introduced at odds of 12-1 for next year's G1 2000 Guineas while odds of 33-1 for the G1 Derby are also available. Williamson concluded, “Even though he was the fastest horse in the breeze, I believed that he was a seven-furlong or a mile-horse. He was showing all the speed, but the further he went, the better he got in his work. Listen, he's won his maiden over seven furlongs at Sandown, so that means he will get a mile no matter what. You'd want a pretty fast horse to lead him over a mile-and-a-quarter in time!”
William Buick, successful for connections aboard subsequent G3 Zetland Stakes and G3 Classic Trial winner Arabian Crown last year, commented. “He will have learned plenty today. He didn't jump all that well, which you can forgive any horse running first time, but it was a nice, smooth performance and hopefully he can progress from here. I kind of passed a load of horses in a short space of time and probably got there sooner than I expected. It is always hard to read horses when they run for the first time, but he's shown a good level at home and has brought it to the track. He's got plenty of pace, so seven furlongs for now is optimal and he will get a mile when needed.”
Ruling Court, a $150,000 Keeneland September pinhook for Williamson, is the third of four foals and first scorer out of GIII Old Forester Mint Julep Handicap third Inchargeofme (GB), herself a full-sister to G1 Racing Post Trophy and G1 Jebel Hatta placegetter Johann Strauss (GB). The February-foaled bay's dam is also kin to G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud third Mythical (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) and to the dam of stakes-winning GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf third Nagirroc (Lea) and the stakes-placed De Guiza (Verrazano). Ruling Court, whose fourth dam is G1 Coronation Stakes runner-up and G2 Child Stakes-winning matriarch Inchmurrin (Ire) (Lomond), is a half-brother to a weanling filly by Ghostzapper.
Impressive! 👀
🔵 Ruling Court cost €2,300,000 as a yearling and romps home on his debut at @Sandownpark under @WilliamBuickX for Charlie Appleby and @godolphin. The Justify colt, sent off at 4/9, is an exciting juvenile for the months ahead. pic.twitter.com/g10sIYHQJR
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 25, 2024
2nd-Sandown, £10,000, Mdn, 7-25, 2yo, 7fT, 1:31.00, gd.
RULING COURT, c, 2, by Justify
1st Dam: Inchargeofme (GB) (GSP-US, $135,305), by High Chaparral (Ire)
2nd Dam: Inchmina (GB), by Cape Cross (Ire)
3rd Dam: Incheni (Ire), by Nashwan
Sales history: $150,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; €2,300,000 2yo '24 ARQBRU. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $6,916. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Godolphin; B-Nursery Place, Manfuso & Wilhite (KY); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick.
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