Constitution Hill is poised to undergo a rigorous assessment of his high‑level aspirations when he lines up for the William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park on Saturday. The nine‑year‑old will be partnered by a fresh face in the saddle, Billy Loughnane, marking a notable change in his riding arrangements. The former hurdling star, once a leading light in Nicky Henderson’s stable, has already proved his mettle after transitioning to flat racing, winning both of his starts at the new distance. Yet the Group Three contest on the Sunbury track represents a considerable escalation in class and distance, offering a genuine gauge of whether his early promise can translate into sustained success at the upper echelons of the sport.
Up to this point, Constitution Hill’s flat campaign has been guided by two of the sport’s most respected jockeys – Oisin Murphy and Ryan Moore. The latest entry list, published by the British Horseracing Authority, now shows Billy Loughnane’s name alongside the Seven Barrows entry for the weekend, confirming the switch.
Loughnane’s agent, Tony Hind – who also manages Moore – explained that the change was driven by logistical considerations. "Ryan’s first choice was to ride in America," Hind said, "so we offered Billy, who is already slated to ride in the Sirenia Stakes, and Nicky gave his blessing this morning." The field Constitution Hill will confront is exceptionally strong. George Scott’s dominant Coronation Cup victor Bay City Roller, who is being aimed at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, tops the betting.
Saeed bin Suroor has entered the Group One‑winning Tornado Alert, with Oisin Murphy slated to take the ride, while the ever‑reliable Dubai Future also features among the contenders. Adding depth to the lineup are Ralph Beckett’s Pride Of Arras, the previous year’s Great Voltigeur winner, and the Owen Burrows‑trained Gethin.
Joseph O'Brien’s Small Fry rounds out a collection of fourteen possible runners for the mile‑and‑a‑half contest. Gethin, who disappointed in the Coral‑Eclipse at Sandown earlier in July, is expected to rebound this weekend as Burrows eyes a potential Arc campaign for the colt.
Callum Rodriguez, who has piloted the Wathnan Racing‑owned grey to each of his three career victories, is set to resume his partnership with Constitution Hill. James Doyle is likely to be earmarked for the Wathnan team’s Sprint Cup entry at Haydock later that afternoon, meaning Rodriguez will have a full day of top‑class riding duties. Burrows spoke to Sky Sports Racing about the colt’s condition: "He’s in good shape. Callum had a sit on him last Wednesday because we thought James would be up at Haydock for the Sprint Cup and he was very happy with him.
It’s been a bit frustrating we’ve had to sit on him during the hot months, but we knew we had no issues worrying about weather for this race and I’m looking forward to getting him back out. He was fine after the Eclipse.
If you look at the sectionals it was pretty hard for the first four furlongs and quickish ground as well, hence why we didn’t want to go again on it." When asked about the prospect of facing Constitution Hill, Burrows added, "He obviously brings a nice dimension to the race and I’m sure it will add plenty at the gate, but like any trainer I just want to beat all the opposition, so if he’s in it then he’s included in that. It will be interesting, but I’m hopeful.
Wathnan bought him with an Arc in mind, so if Saturday goes well I dare say that will be his next step." The William Hill September Stakes will therefore serve as a pivotal moment for the young horse. A strong performance could cement his status as a serious contender for the season’s biggest middle‑distance targets, while a lackluster run might suggest he still needs time to adapt to the rigors of Group‑level flat racing. For Henderson, the race offers a chance to evaluate whether his former hurdling champion can truly transition into a top‑class flat performer, potentially shaping the remainder of the campaign and influencing future plans for the Arc.
Racing enthusiasts will be watching closely, not only for the outcome of the race itself but also for the broader narrative it creates. The combination of a fresh jockey, a seasoned trainer, and a field stacked with proven Group winners makes the September Stakes a compelling preview of the autumn racing calendar.
Whether Constitution Hill can rise to the occasion and join the ranks of the sport’s elite remains to be seen, but the stage is set for an exciting showdown at Kempton this Saturday.