Justify Sale Topper Impressive On Debut

It didn’t take long for Ruling Court (2c Justify x Inchargeofmy, by High Chaparral) to show why Godolphin went to €2.3 million to secure him at the Arqana Breeze Up Sale when the juvenile bolted home on debut Thursday.

Racing at Sandown going seven furlongs, the Charlie Appleby trainee was happy to near the back of the field just a few paths off the rail with two horses beat. Jockey William Buick angled his mount to the outside of the pack inside the final three furlongs and he was quickly into full stride.

The leaders struggled to keep up with the race favorite as Ruling Court flew past to score by 5 ½ lengths and earn Thoroughbred Daily News ‘Rising Star’ honors.

"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,” Buick said. “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."

Bred by Nursery Place, Manfuso, and Wilhite, he is the second runner out of the Grade III-placed Inchargeofme.

That mare is a full sister to the multiple Group I placed Johann Strauss and half-sister to Group I placed Mythical. Another one of the mare’s half-sister produced Grade III winner and Grade I-placed Nagirroc and stakes placed De Guiza.

This is the second Thoroughbred Rising Star of the year for Justify, who also saw Parenting earn the distinction in late April before winning the Listed Affirmed Stakes.