Ruling racehorse dies just months after winning 2,000 Guineas

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Ruling Court, winner of this season's 2000 Guineas horse race, has been put down following complications due to a severe foot disease, its owners Godolphin announced Friday.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, the colt defeated top-class rival Field of Gold to win the first Classic race of the English flat season at Newmarket in May.

It was the first half of a notable double for English trainer Appleby and Godolphin, the thoroughbred racing group established by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, with stablemate Desert Flower winning the 1,000 Guineas, the equivalent fillies' race, a day later.

Ruling Court's bid for Derby glory was scuppered by soft ground on the day of the race at Epsom.

The horse went on to finish third in two more leading races -- the St James' Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Eclipse Stakes, a run which would be the last of his six starts.

But following laminitis, a disease of the feet in horses and cattle that can lead to animals being unable to stand up, the decision was taken to euthanise Ruling Court.

Appleby told www.godolphin.com: "Everyone at Godolphin is deeply saddened by the loss of Ruling Court.

"He gave everyone a fantastic day at Newmarket in May, and he will be sorely missed. I would like to thank all of the team, who did everything they could to save him."