The 2025 flat season will live long in the memory, thanks to the exploits of an exceptional cast of equine performers. Many stars of the major festivals may embellish their records in the headline events to come. Tragically, that now won’t be the case for one of the leading lights from the Godolphin operation. A brilliant winner of the 2000 Guineas, Ruling Court has passed away at just three years of age.
The news broke on Friday afternoon, with a statement on the Godolphin website reading:
“The impressive winner of this year’s Group 1 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket has sadly been euthanised following complications due to laminitis. His Classic win was part of a history-making weekend for Godolphin, and he was never out of the frame in all of his six starts.”
What Is Laminitis?
Laminitis is a condition that affects the laminae in a horse’s hoof. Laminae are the soft tissues connecting the hoof wall to the pedal bone. Inflamed, swollen, or weakened laminae can cause the pedal bone to rotate or sink into the hoof, causing significant pain and stability issues for the horse.
Whilst every effort is made to treat the condition and restore the horse to full health, this isn’t always possible. If laminitis can’t be cured, humane euthanasia is often the kindest course of action to prevent ongoing suffering.
Such was the case with Ruling Court, whose career has been cut short all too soon. However, the Godolphin star certainly shone brightly during his all-too-brief time in the spotlight.
Promising Start for €2.3 Million Purchase
Sired by US Triple-Crown winner Justify and out of the High Chaparral mare Inchargeofme, Ruling Court was snapped up by Godolphin for €2.3 million at the Arqana breeze-up sales in May 2024.
Sent to number one handler Charlie Appleby, the youngster was backed as though defeat was out of the question ahead of his debut at Sandown in July 2024. Those who took the skinny odds had few moments of concern as Ruling Court blew the field away to post an impressive 5½l success.
Raced just once more as a juvenile, the good-looking bay performed a little below expectations when third behind The Lion In Winter and Wimbledon Hawkeye in the Acomb Stakes at York.
Following that effort on the Knavesmire, Appleby surprised many by opting to end Ruling Court’s two-year-old campaign after just two starts. That decision to give the colt more time to develop paid off in his Classic campaign.
Ruling Court’s 2YO Campaign
| Date | Race | Course | SP | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25/7/24 | Maiden Stakes | Sandown | 4/9 | 1st |
| 21/8/24 | Acomb Stakes | York | Evens | 3rd |
Guineas Double at Meydan and Newmarket
Following a near eight-month break, Ruling Court headed to Meydan for his seasonal return in the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas. Sent off at odds of just 4/9, the mount of William Buick was a class apart from his Listed rivals and more than justified his price. Travelling sweetly throughout, he quickened up in style to forge six lengths clear in the straight.
With one 2000 Guineas in the bag, Ruling Court returned home to tackle the big one at Newmarket. This time, the opposition was significantly tougher, with Juddmonte star Field Of Gold, Group 1-winning stablemate Shadow Of Light, and a host of Irish challengers contained in the 11-runner field.
Moving into the final furlong, Buick moved his mount alongside Shadow Of Light at the head of affairs, as Field Of Gold made his move from further back. Having mastered Shadow Of Light, Ruling Court kept on in style to fend off Field Of Gold’s late thrust to score by half a length. With Desert Flower bagging the 1000 Guineas, Ruling Court played his part in a spectacular weekend for Godolphin.
Well fancied for the Epsom Derby on the back of his 2000 Guineas success, the Classic-winning star ultimately missed that assignment on account of the ground. Raced only twice more, Ruling Court finished third in the St. James’s Palace Stakes, before filling the same position in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
Ruling Court’s 3YO Campaign
| Date | Race | Course | SP | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/3/25 | Jumeirah 2000 Guineas | Meydan | 4/9 | 1st |
| 3/5/25 | 2000 Guineas | Newmarket | 9/2 | 1st |
| 17/6/25 | St James’s Palace Stakes | Ascot | 4/1 | 3rd |
| 5/7/25 | Coral-Eclipse | Sandown | 4/1 | 3rd |
Trainer Pays Tribute
Ending his career with three wins and three placed efforts from six outings, Ruling Court will be remembered for both his consistency and supreme talent. Paying tribute to his departed star, Charlie Appleby stated:
“Everyone at Godolphin is deeply saddened by the loss of Ruling Court. He gave everyone a fantastic day at Newmarket in May and will be sorely missed.”
