Constitution Hill is set to have his ambitions for top‑class races put to a rigorous test when he lines up for the William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park on Saturday. The nine‑year‑old former hurdling star, now under the guidance of new rider Billy Loughnane, will be stepping up to a Group Three contest that represents a significant elevation from the company he has faced since his switch to flat racing. Since making the transition from hurdles to the flat, Constitution Hill has been unbeaten, winning his first two starts over the new surface.
Those victories, however, came against relatively modest opposition and were piloted by established jockeys Oisin Murphy and Ryan Moore. The latest entry list, posted on the British Horseracing Authority’s administration portal, shows Billy Loughnane as the jockey for the Seven Barrows‑trained runner this weekend. Loughnane’s representation, agent Tony Hind, who also manages Ryan Moore, explained the change in a brief statement. "Ryan was our first choice, but he is currently racing in America," Hind said.
"We offered Billy, who is already booked for the Sirenia Stakes, and Nicky Henderson gave his blessing this morning for Billy to take the ride." The field for the September Stakes is strong and includes several high‑profile names. George Scott’s Bay City Roller, the dominant winner of the Coronation Cup and a leading contender for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, will be among the favorites. Saeed bin Suroor has entered the Group One‑winning Tornado Alert, with Oisin Murphy slated to ride him, while the seasoned Dubai Future also makes the start. Ralph Beckett will be represented by last year’s Great Voltigeur victor Pride Of Arras.
Owen Burrows’ Gethin and Joseph O'Brien’s Small Fry round out a list of fourteen potential contenders for the mile‑and‑a‑half race, each offering a different set of tactics and form lines. Gethin, who disappointed when he last ran in the Coral‑Eclipse at Sandown in early July, is expected to improve his performance under Burrows’ careful preparation. The trainer remains optimistic that the horse will reveal his true ability this weekend, especially as he eyes a possible future campaign aimed at the Arc. Meanwhile, Callum Rodriguez, who has guided the Wathnan Racing‑owned grey to three career wins, is set to resume his partnership with Constitution Hill.
James Doyle is likely to be called upon for the Wathnan stable’s Sprint Cup entry at Haydock later that afternoon, meaning Rodriguez can focus fully on the Kempton assignment. In a recent interview with Sky Sports Racing, Burrows spoke highly of the horse’s condition.
"He’s in good shape. Callum gave him a light work session last Wednesday because we thought James would be riding at Haydock for the Sprint Cup, and he was very happy with the effort," Burrows said. "It’s been a little frustrating having to hold him back during the hotter months, but we knew the weather wouldn’t be a factor for this race, and I’m looking forward to seeing him back out.
"He handled the Eclipse well. If you look at the sectional times, the first four furlongs were fairly demanding on a quickish ground, which is why we opted not to run him again there." Burrows also commented on the prospect of facing Constitution Hill directly.
"He certainly adds an extra dimension to the race and will make the early pace more interesting," the trainer noted. "As any trainer, my aim is to beat the entire field, so if he’s in the mix, he’s part of the challenge. "It will be an intriguing contest, and I’m hopeful. Wathnan bought him with an Arc target in mind, so a strong performance on Saturday could set the stage for that next step." The September Stakes will therefore serve as a crucial barometer for Constitution Hill’s ability to compete at a higher level and will likely influence his campaign plans for the remainder of the season, including potential entries in the prestigious Arc de Triomphe.
Fans and punters alike will be watching closely to see whether the former hurdling superstar can translate his early flat success into genuine Group‑level competitiveness. For continuous updates, interviews, and in‑depth analysis of horse racing, stay tuned to Sky Sports Racing’s mobile platforms, where the latest stories are delivered straight to your device.