Less than two months after storming to victory at Meydan, Godolphin’s rising star RULING COURT etched his name in racing history by capturing the prestigious Group 1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, completing a rare and remarkable Dubai–Newmarket Classic double.
Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden with poise by William Buick, the son of Justify overcame a high-class field of ten rivals in the 1600-metre contest on the iconic Rowley Mile. His victory in the G1 2000 Guineas marks a significant milestone in an already glittering start to his career—and serves as a strong indication that greater distances could be well within his reach.
RULING COURT entered the race off a dominant six-length win in the Listed Jumeirah Guineas at Meydan Racecourse in March, but Saturday’s test in the UK demanded more. Facing formidable opposition including stablemate SHADOW OF LIGHT, last season’s European Champion Juvenile, and FIELD OF GOLD, a resounding winner of the G3 Craven Stakes, the three-year-old had to dig deep in the final furlongs.
Buick settled RULING COURT in the middle of the field during the early stages. As the pace quickened and the field descended into the dip, he made his move with 600 metres remaining—just as SHADOW OF LIGHT surged forward to challenge him on the lead. But RULING COURT responded gamely, fending off his stable companion in the final 100 metres and then withstanding the late charge of FIELD OF GOLD to win by half a length in a thrilling finish.
This win marks Charlie Appleby’s third 2000 Guineas triumph in four years, following the success of COROEBUS in 2022 and NOTABLE SPEECH in 2024. It further cements Godolphin’s continued dominance in top-level international racing.
“We came into this race with a lot of confidence,” said Appleby post-race. “It was a hard choice for William between RULING COURT and SHADOW OF LIGHT, but he made the right call. RULING COURT stayed the mile strongly and outstayed the others in the final stages. FIELD OF GOLD always loomed as a late threat, but RULING COURT dug deep and showed his class. It was a fantastic ride from William.”
Buick, who was lifting the Guineas trophy for the second time, was effusive in his praise for the colt. “These are the races you dream of winning. Horses like RULING COURT are a joy to ride—he’s so straightforward and professional. We just let him get comfortable, and he did the rest. It was only his fourth run, but he has such a huge engine.”
The way RULING COURT finished suggests that greater stamina tests could be well within his capabilities. With that in mind, connections are now considering the Group 1 Epsom Derby (G1) over 2400 metres on June 7, one of the most prestigious prizes in European racing.
“He looks like a horse who could stay further,” Appleby added. “We’ll see how he comes out of this, but the Derby is definitely under consideration.”
The 2000 Guineas win not only confirms RULING COURT as one of the premier three-year-olds in Europe but also showcases the strength and depth of Godolphin’s international programme, capable of producing Classic winners across continents.
