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 steep step up from the victories he had collected earlier in the season at Southwell and at Kempton in February and March.
During his hurdling career, the Nicky Henderson‑trained superstar dazzled crowds with brilliant performances, and his switch to the flat has kept him among the sport’s most talked‑about horses. Yet the level of competition in this particular race was considerably higher than the lower‑grade events he had previously dominated. From the outset, the odds‑on favourite Gethin seized the lead, dictating the pace as the field settled into the early stages.
Constitution Hill, starting at 9‑2, was positioned close to the front in fourth place alongside Billy Loughnane, and he remained in contention with a palpable amount of menace as the field turned for home. Approaching the two‑furlong marker, the jockey asked for a final push, but any hope of a serious challenge quickly faded. Instead, it was the Ralph Beckett‑trained Pride Of Arras, sent off at 11‑2, that surged ahead and held on to Gethin by a length at the finish line.
Constitution Hill’s effort, while respectable, was insufficient to change the order of finish. The defeat carries broader implications for Constitution Hill’s campaign. Earlier in the season, his connections had floated the idea of a Melbourne Cup run in the autumn, but the outcome at Kempton has effectively closed that door.
Henderson reflected on the race, noting, “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.” He added that the horse is unlikely to race under a mile and a half again, suggesting a target range of 12 to 14 furlongs for future outings.
Henderson also hinted that the horse may have taken a slight “blow” in the final furlong, which could serve to sharpen him for upcoming challenges. With the recent performance, Constitution Hill becomes eligible for handicap races, opening the possibility of targeting lucrative events in England, Ireland, or elsewhere. “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,” Henderson said, emphasizing that the horse is far from finished.
Meanwhile, the winner’s connections are already looking ahead to a potential trip to Canada. Pride Of Arras, who previously claimed victories in the Dante and the Great Voltigeur, displayed his class on Kempton’s synthetic surface, prompting trainer Ralph Beckett to discuss future plans.
Beckett praised his charge, saying, “He’s a good horse and was good in the Dante and Voltigeur last year – a talented individual.” He recounted the horse’s recent foot problems that had hampered his preparation for the John Porter and the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud, but noted that the horse looked “a million dollars” ahead of the International, and he believes the Canadian International in Toronto could suit him perfectly. Beckett also commented on the atmosphere at Kempton, acknowledging the importance of crowd support while reminding everyone that the primary focus remains on the horses themselves. “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,” he said. “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.” The day’s programme on Sky Sports Racing also featured jumps action from Bangor‑on‑Dee, a discussion with Francis‑Henri Graffard about his stable stars, and a series of high‑profile flat races including the Prix Vermeille, the Prix Foy, and the Group One breakthrough of Saddadd. In addition, Daryz delivered a dominant performance in the Prix Foy as a rehearsal for the Arc, while Friendly Soul secured a decisive win in the Prix Vermeille.
In summary, Constitution Hill’s fourth‑place finish at Kempton may have ended his Melbourne Cup aspirations, but it has provided valuable insight into his optimal distance range and highlighted his eligibility for competitive handicaps. The connections will now regroup, identify a suitable target race, and continue to develop the horse’s form. On the other side, Pride Of Arras’s triumph has reignited hopes of a trans‑Atlantic campaign, with the Canadian International emerging as a likely next stop for the talented three‑year‑old. Both horses have demonstrated their class, and the racing world will be watching closely to see how their respective journeys unfold in the coming months.