Constitution Hill was forced to accept a disappointing fourth‑place finish behind Pride Of Arras in his highly anticipated third flat start at Kempton Park’s William Hill September Stakes. The race, a Group Three contest over a mile and a half, proved a considerable step up from the horse’s previous victories at Southwell and earlier at Kempton in February and March, and the result highlighted the challenges of transitioning from hurdling to top‑level flat racing.
Nicky Henderson’s former hurdling superstar has long been a magnet for racing fans, thanks to his dazzling performances over jumps. When he switched to the flat, expectations ran high, and his connections hoped that his natural talent would translate into success at the highest level. In this particular race, the odds‑on favourite Gethin seized the early lead, dictating a strong pace. Billy Loughnane and Constitution Hill, both starting at 9‑2, settled just behind the leader, tracking closely and appearing to pose a genuine threat as the field turned for home.
Approaching the final two furlongs, Constitution Hill produced a brief flicker of promise, but it quickly became evident that he lacked the stamina to stay on with the leaders. Instead, it was the Ralph Beckett‑trained Pride Of Arras, a well‑run 11‑2 outsider, who surged forward, pulling clear and ultimately holding off a late surge from Gethin by a length. Pride Of Arras’s victory was decisive, while Constitution Hill faded into fourth place, finishing well behind the winner. The result has significant implications for Constitution Hill’s future campaign.
Prior to Kempton, his connections had been flirting with the idea of targeting the Melbourne Cup in the autumn, a race that would have suited his staying ability. Henderson, however, acknowledged that the defeat effectively ends those ambitions for now. He explained, "Melbourne is gone now sadly. Today was always going to tell us what we were going to do next and I suppose he's posing us another question now." Henderson also clarified the distance preferences for his star.
"I don't think we want to go under a mile and a half, that is for sure, and 12, 13 or 14 furlongs seems to be the range of where we go with him. I do think he is going to come on for the run, what with the way he got there as if it was going to happen, but from a furlong out I think he took a bit of a blow. It will sharpen him up," he said.
The trainer added that Constitution Hill will now become eligible for handicap races, opening the door to potentially lucrative opportunities in England, Ireland, or elsewhere. "It will be interesting to see what the reaction on Tuesday is.
It could allow him into some very lucrative handicaps in England, Ireland or wherever you like," Henderson noted. He concluded on an optimistic note, insisting the horse is far from finished: "We'll find a nice race for him somewhere and he's by no means finished yet, I can promise you that." While the Australian‑capped Melbourne Cup hopes have been dashed, the victory for Pride Of Arras has sparked fresh excitement for his connections, who are now eyeing a trip to Canada. The horse, who captured last year’s Dante and Great Voltigeur Stakes, displayed his class on the synthetic surface at Sunbury, prompting trainer Ralph Beckett to contemplate a run in the Canadian International.
Beckett praised Pride Of Arras, saying, "He's a good horse and was good in the Dante and Voltigeur last year and a talented individual. He had a really bad foot problem that came to light just before the John Porter and he wasn't really ready when he ran against Calandagan in the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud, but I had to run him somewhere." He reflected on the horse’s recent form, noting a second‑place finish to Item in the York Stakes despite lingering foot concerns. "I thought he looked a million dollars before the International and hadn't looked better. It was a great disappointment to all of us we couldn't run at York.
They loaded him at York before all the other horses had gone behind and I'd say he was looking at the horses walking towards him and that's what set him off," Beckett recalled. Regarding the Kempton surface, he suggested it might have been a touch deeper than the horse prefers, but believed the Canadian turf would suit him well: "I think there is a good chance he will really enjoy Toronto when we take him to the Canadian International." Beckett also commented on the broader impact of Constitution Hill’s appearance at Kempton. "It's great that the crowds have come out and we're in the entertainment business, but inevitably you have to worry about your own horse. I'm delighted there is a crowd and it was a good race.
The first two are good horses and Constitution Hill wasn't disgraced," he said, acknowledging the fanfare while maintaining perspective on his own runner’s performance. The race itself was part of a busy day of flat racing on Sky Sports Racing, which also featured action from Ascot and Newcastle, as well as a preview of upcoming events such as the Sprint Cup at Haydock, where Almeraq delivered a stunning victory for trainer Kevin Ryan.
Meanwhile, other storylines included a potential opening of the Arc to geldings from 2027 and a blog from jockey Hollie Doyle discussing the upcoming fixtures at Ascot, Kempton, and Haydock. In summary, Constitution Hill’s fourth‑place finish at Kempton underscores the difficulty of stepping up to Group Three level on the flat, especially after a distinguished hurdling career. While his Melbourne Cup aspirations have been curtailed, trainer Nicky Henderson remains confident that the horse still has plenty to offer over longer distances and in handicap contests.
Conversely, Pride Of Arras’s triumph not only adds a Group Three win to his résumé but also positions him as a serious contender for the Canadian International, where his connections hope he will thrive on the North American turf. The day’s racing action, highlighted by strong crowd attendance and a mix of thrilling outcomes, reinforces the ever‑evolving narrative of the sport, where plans can shift quickly, but the pursuit of excellence never ceases.