Constitution Hill was forced to accept a clear fourth‑place finish behind Pride Of Arras in his much‑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 significant step up from the victories he had secured earlier in the season at Southwell and at Kempton itself in February and March. During his hurdling career, the Nicky Henderson‑trained superstar dazzled spectators with brilliant performances, establishing himself as one of the sport’s biggest attractions. Since his switch to the flat, expectations have remained high, but the quality of the September Stakes field exposed the gap between his previous wins and the level required for Group Three competition.
From the start, the odds‑on favourite Gethin seized the lead, dictating a brisk tempo. Constitution Hill, starting at 9‑2, settled in a close fourth behind Gethin and Billy Loughnane, staying within striking distance as the race entered its final stages. When the field turned for home just beyond the two‑furlong marker, there was a fleeting moment when it seemed the colt might rally, but it quickly became apparent that he would not be able to challenge for the lead. Instead, the Ralph Beckett‑trained Pride Of Arras, starting at 11‑2, surged ahead and held off a late surge from Gethin to win by a length.
The result has significant implications for Constitution Hill’s future campaign. Prior to Kempton, his connections had been entertaining the notion of targeting the Melbourne Cup in the autumn, a tantalising prospect given his stamina and class. After the defeat, trainer Nicky Henderson acknowledged that the Australian ambition is now off the table, saying, "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 elaborated on the horse’s optimal distance range, indicating that a trip of 12, 13 or 14 furlongs appears most suitable.
He added that while the colt seemed to be on a natural progression, a slight stumble a furlong from the finish may have cost him valuable momentum, but that the experience should sharpen him for future outings. "He's going to be eligible to run in handicaps now and 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 said. Reflecting on the step up in class, Henderson noted, "From two novice stakes of very differing strength and depth it was a big step today and we'll now just wait to see what it does for his mark. We'll find a nice race for him somewhere and he's by no means finished yet, I can promise you that." His optimism suggests that the colt’s connections are already mapping out a new target, likely within the 1¾‑to‑2‑mile window, where his turn of foot and stamina can be best utilized. For the winning connections, the triumph opens the door to an international campaign.
Pride Of Arras, who also claimed victory in last year’s Dante and Great Voltigeur, now has his sights set on Canada. Beckett, the trainer, praised the colt’s pedigree and resilience, noting that despite a troublesome foot issue that surfaced before the John Porter, the horse performed admirably in the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud and later in the York Stakes.
"He looked a million dollars before the International and hadn't looked better," Beckett said, expressing confidence that the horse would relish the synthetic surface at Toronto’s Canadian International. Beckett also commented on the broader impact of the race, acknowledging the importance of crowd engagement while emphasizing the primary focus on his own horse’s performance. "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 remarked. The day’s racing card also featured notable events such as Almeraq’s dominant Sprint Cup win at Haydock for trainer Haggas, and a series of Sky Sports Racing highlights including flat action from Ascot and Newcastle, as well as a preview of upcoming contests at Ascot, Kempton, and Haydock.
Additionally, industry news highlighted that the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will be open to geldings from 2027, a change that could reshape future breeding and racing strategies. In summary, while Constitution Hill’s flat debut at Kempton ended in disappointment, the experience provides valuable insight into his distance preferences and class ceiling. Henderson’s reassessment points toward a focus on longer handicap opportunities, where the colt can continue to develop and potentially regain the momentum needed for future Group‑level success. Meanwhile, Pride Of Arras’s victory not only secures a prestigious Group Three win but also sets the stage for a transatlantic challenge, with the Canadian International now a realistic and exciting target for the talented Ralph Beckett‑trained runner.