Constitution Hill is set to undergo a rigorous test of his lofty aspirations on the flat when he lines up for the William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park on Saturday, this time under the reins of emerging jockey Billy Loughnane. The former champion hurdler trained by Nicky Henderson has been unbeaten since his switch to the flat, winning his first two starts over the new discipline.
However, the Group Three contest at the Sunbury course marks a significant step up in class and distance, and it will be a true measure of whether his early success can translate into top‑level flat performance. Until now the nine‑year‑old has been partnered by established riders Oisin Murphy and Ryan Moore in his flat debut. The British Horseracing Authority’s entry list, however, shows Loughnane’s name attached to the Seven Barrows‑owned runner for the weekend. Loughnane’s agent, Tony Hind—who also manages Moore—explained the change, noting that Henderson was happy to let the championship‑leading jockey step aside for the younger rider.
"Ryan was his first choice, but Ryan is currently riding in America," Hind said. "So I offered Billy, who is already booked for the Sirenia Stakes, and Nicky confirmed this morning that he’s perfectly happy for Billy to take the mount." The field is headlined by George Scott’s dominant Coronation Cup victor Bay City Roller, who is being pointed toward the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe later in the season. Saeed bin Suroor has also entered a Group One‑winning colt, Tornado Alert, with Oisin Murphy slated to ride, and the seasoned Dubai Future will add further depth to the lineup. Ralph Beckett’s Pride Of Arras, the 2022 Great Voltigeur Stakes winner, will also be in the mix, as will the Owen Burrows‑trained Gethin and Joseph O’Brien’s Small Fry, making a total of fourteen possible contenders for the mile‑and‑a‑half race.
Gethin disappointed when he was last seen contesting the Coral‑Eclipse at Sandown in early July, but Burrows remains optimistic that the horse will rediscover his best form this weekend, potentially positioning him for an Arc campaign later in the year. Callum Rodriguez, who has guided the Wathnan Racing‑owned grey to each of his three career victories so far, is expected to take the saddle again. James Doyle is likely to be earmarked for the Wathnan team’s Sprint Cup entry at Haydock later that afternoon, meaning Rodriguez will have the full attention of the stable for Constitution Hill’s run. Burrows told Sky Sports Racing that the horse is in excellent condition after a recent workout with Callum Rodriguez on Wednesday.
"We thought James might be riding at Haydock for the Sprint Cup, so Callum gave him a turn and he was very happy with him," Burrows explained. He added that the hot summer months have forced the trainer to give the horse a break, but the weather looks favorable for the Kempton race.
"We were concerned about the ground after the Eclipse. The first four furlongs were quite testing and the ground was quick, so we didn’t want to push him again until conditions improve." When asked about the prospect of facing Constitution Hill, Burrows was candid: "He certainly adds a new dimension to the race and will make the contest more interesting.
As a trainer, my aim is simply to beat the opposition, so if he’s in the field, he’s part of the challenge." Burrows also hinted at the long‑term plan for the horse. "Wathnan bought him with an Arc in mind, so if Saturday goes well I think the next logical step will be to target that race," he said. The September Stakes will therefore serve as a pivotal moment for Constitution Hill. A strong performance could cement his status as a genuine dual‑code star and set the stage for a high‑profile campaign aimed at the sport’s ultimate flat prize, while a lackluster run might suggest that his talent is better suited to hurdles.
Either way, the race promises to be a compelling showdown between established Group performers and a rising star eager to prove his worth on the flat.