PUNTERS were purring over a ‘superstar in the making’ after witnessing the ‘electric’ debut of Godolphin’s new £1.9MILLION colt.
Ruling Court was immediately made 12-1 joint-fav with Betfair for next year’s Derby on the back of this jaw-dropping Sandown showing.
Impressive!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 25, 2024Ruling 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
By Justify and out of a dam by former Derby winner High Chaparral, big things were expected of the Charlie Appleby-trained two-year-old.
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But even he must have been blown away by the ease with which Ruling Court decimated rivals in this maiden stakes over 7f.
Third from last rounding the bend, Buick got to work on the 4-9 fav with half a mile to go.
Moved to the outside of the 13-runner field with three furlongs left, Ruling Court picked up ominously well.
But asked for more he absolutely blew his sorry rivals to bits to win by five-and-a-half lengths.
Coral immediately made him 12-1 fav for the 2000 Guineas with the firm’s David Stevens saying: “Having been purchased by Godolphin for just under £2m, Ruling Court could have been expected to make a winning debut.
“But he did so in such an impressive style that at this early stage he’s already clear favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas, and behind only The Lion In Winter in our Derby betting.”
Viewers were equally as impressed.
One said: “Ruling Court that was absolutely electric. What a debut. Will live up to his price tag for sure – he is going right to the top.”
While another wrote on X: “Superstar in the making.”
Ruling Court was bought for just shy of £2m at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sales last May.
His sire Justify – the unbeaten Triple Crown-winning superstar – has already enjoyed an amazing year thanks to City Of Troy.
The standout two-year-old of his generation flopped in the 2000 Guineas but was an easy winner of the Derby.
He was much more workmanlike when claiming the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown this month but heads to the Juddmonte at York next month as evens fav.
But punters seem of the opinion Justify could have his second Derby winner in a row after this debut from Ruling Court.
Winning jockey Buick said: “He didn’t jump all that well, which you can forgive on his first start.
“It was a smooth performance and hopefully he can progress from here.
“I passed a load of horses quite quickly and got there sooner than I expected but it’s always hard to read with horses running for the first time.
“He’s shown a good level of form at home and has brought it to the track.
“He’s got plenty of pace so seven furlongs is optimum for now and he should get a mile whenever he needs to.”
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