Godolphin's €2.3 million breeze-up buy Ruling Court make a perfect start to his racing career at Sandown on Thursday.
Sent off as the 4/9 favourite under William Buick in the opening Martin Densham & Peter Deal Memorial British EBF Maiden Stakes, the son of Justify ultimately ran out a ready five and a half-length winner from 6/1 chance Pantile Warrior.
It wasn't all plain sailing, however, with the juvenile a little slowly away in the seven-furlong contest and forced to tale up a position just two from the back through the very early stages.
Buick was content to sit well off what looked a good gallop and although Ruling Court was niggled along soon after turning for the judge, he gradually worked his way past rivals when switched to the outside and hit the front approaching the final furlong.
Once in the lead he quickened brightly and soon put daylight between himself and the rest, prompting Sky Bet to introduce the winner at 12/1 for both the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Derby at Epsom next June.
Unlimited Replays
of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays
Discover Sporting Life Plus Benefits
Buick told Racing TV: “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.”
🗣 "I passed a lot of horses in a short space of time"@WilliamBuickX tell us more about Ruling Court after the colt's emphatic debut success. @godolphin | @Sandownpark pic.twitter.com/vEpgFlvXK8
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 25, 2024
More from Sporting Life
- Racecards
- Fast results
- Full results and free video replays
- Horse racing news
- Horse racing tips
- Horse racing features
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Football and other sports tips
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.