Buick Lifts The 2000 Guineas Trophy Again with Ruling Court
- Turf GMD
- May 4
- 3 min read
Godolphin’s dominance in the British 2000 Guineas strengthened further when RULING COURT followed COROEBUS, NOTABLE SPEECH, to join the classic ranks. It's third in the last 4 years. This is also a back to back victory for William Buick, retained jockey for the royal blue silks.
The son of Justify was last seen at Meydan Racecourse in Super Saturday when the six-length winner of the Listed Jumeirah 2000 Guineas. Today faced a tougher task at where he faced ten rivals, including stablemate SHADOW OF LIGHT, last year’s Cartier Champion Juvenile, and impressive G3 Craven Stakes winner, Juddmonte's FIELD OF GOLD, ridden by Kieran Shoemark.
RULING COURT settled into a position in the middle of the field during the initial stages of the race. Around the three-furlong marker, his jockey asked him quickened and responded powerfully to take the lead, and SHADOW OF LIGHT also displayed a stunning turn of foot to join RULING COURT in the lead. With a furlong left in the race, the two horses trained by Charlie Appleby pulled away from the rest of the field. In the final moments, RULING COURT gained a slight advantage to take the lead. FIELD OF GOLD finished strongly to secure second place just before the finish line, overtaking SHADOW OF LIGHT. Despite the late challenge, RULING COURT maintained his lead and won by a comfortable half-length.
Godolphin wins the 2000 Guineas again with Ruling Court，3 in the last 4 years
(Race replay and post-race interviews: Racing TV)
“We came into here with a lot of confidence that we had the right horses,” Charlie Appleby said. “It was a hard choice for William [to choose between RULING COURT and SHADOW OF LIGHT], but he saw it right in respect that he felt RULING COURT would see the mile out. He has outstayed them in the end. Everyone had their chance to have a crack coming out of the dip.
“I thought it might be a good match race between RULING COURT and SHADOW OF LIGHT at one point, although FIELD OF GOLD was always going to come to the party late on and put it up to RULING COURT, but it was a great ride from William.”
William Buick, winning his second 2000 Guineas, added: “I feel amazing. These races are what it is all about and horses like this are a joy to deal with. To have them at my disposal, I am very grateful. I get to work with great people and, when you have results like this, it is very special.
“I love the way RULING COURT did it. He is so uncomplicated and we treated him like that today. We were going to let him do his thing, get comfortable, and then ride him as if a mile is well within his compass.
“He feels like a horse who could get further as well. A huge engine and that was only his fourth run.”
“I love the way RULING COURT did it. He is so uncomplicated and we treated him like that today. We were going to let him do his thing, get comfortable, and then ride him as if a mile is well within his compass.
He completed a double on the day with another Godophin's EL CORDOBES, in The Lay And Wheeler Handicap Stakes, a class 2 company over one mile and four furlongs.
(3/5/2025)
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