Explosive Debut Win for €2.3million Justify Colt

Tara Madgwick - Friday July 26

Godolphin made sales headlines earlier this year when paying €2.3million for a colt by Justify at the Arqana May Breeze Up Sale and he scored a commanding debut victory overnight at Sandown.

Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, Ruling Court started favourite for the 7f maiden and powered clear for a five and a half length win.

Advertisement

“He didn't jump all that well, which you can forgive on his first start," said Buick.

"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."

Ruling Court made 2.3million euros at Arqana May Breeze Up.

Ruling Court was a super successful pinhook having initially been bought from Keeneland September as a yearling for $150,000 by Norman Williamson.

He is the first winner for Group III placed High Chaparral mare Inchargeofme, a sibling to a pair of Group I placed horses in Mythical and Johann Strauss as well as the dam of Group III winner Nagirroc.

Justify has the best three year-old colt in Europe this year in City of Troy, who was also last year’s Champion 2YO Colt and there is considerable excitement about Ruling Court and his potential.

Justify will not be returning to Coolmore Australia this spring, but will have some highly anticipated foals born here this year having covered 188 mares last spring at a fee of $77,000.

Advertisment
More Reading...
DIY Pedigrees for Melbourne Cup – Take the Tip!
If you are having trouble settling on your Melbourne Cup horses a look at pedigree might be a help, so take a flick through our five generation pedigrees for all Cup runners and we’re giving you a clue as to what to look for!
Nominations Open for the 2026 Magic Millions Racing Women supported by TAB Achievement Awards
The 2026 Magic Millions Racing Women supported by TAB Achievement Awards will recognise the contribution of Extraordinary Women in all States & Territories to the Australian Thoroughbred Industry. 
Five Winners for Tyler on Home Turf
Local trainer Kelvin Tyler had a day out on his home track of Riverton on Sunday, training five winners including the two features with Master Marko and Prince Alby.
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 1
Here is the full list of 111 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday November 2
Here is the full list of 62 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Breeders Cup Winner for Almanzor
Cambridge Stud’s Almanzor (FR) has been firing in the Northern Hemisphere this year and one of his star performers has been French Oaks winner Gezora, who raised the bar again at Del Mar on Sunday when taking out the Group I Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare (1m3f).
Tara Talks Racing - Melbourne Cup Tips
If you are a racing tragic and horse lover like Clocker and I, Melbourne Cup Eve is as good as it gets, so have a listen to our thoughts and you can put the pen through our very dodgy tips or add them to your multiples!
A Century of National Yearling Sales Success: Melbourne Cup
There are many great events and coveted prizes on the Australian racing calendar, but no others capture attention quite like the Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Sires With Winners - Monday November 3
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Stunning Frankel Stallion Diego Velazquez to Swettenham Stud in 2026
Swettenham Stud are thrilled to announce that Frankel’s exceptional Group 1 winner DIEGO VELAZQUEZ (IRE)  will shuttle to their Nagambie operation, commencing in 2026.