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 the Nicky Henderson‑trained star had collected at Southwell and earlier at Kempton in February and March.
During his hurdling career, Constitution Hill dazzled at the very top of the sport, earning a reputation as one of racing’s most compelling attractions. Since his switch to the flat, he has remained a fan favourite, but the September Stakes represented a tougher test than the lower‑grade races he had previously conquered. As the odds‑on favourite Gethin seized the early lead, Constitution Hill, starting at 9‑2, sat in a close fourth alongside Billy Loughnane, still travelling with a noticeable amount of menace as the field turned for home. When the two‑furlong marker was passed, Constitution Hill showed a brief flicker of hope, but it quickly became evident that he would not be able to challenge for the win.
Instead, it was the Ralph Beckett‑trained Pride Of Arras, a 11‑2 outsider, who surged to the front and held off a late rally from Gethin by a length. The result left Constitution Hill’s connections to reassess their plans, especially after the horse arrived at Kempton with the Melbourne Cup still a tantalising autumn target. Henderson admitted that the Melbourne Cup hopes have now evaporated.
"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 said. "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 added that Constitution Hill will now be eligible for handicaps and that the team will be watching the Tuesday handicap market closely. "It could allow him into some very lucrative handicaps in England, Ireland or wherever you like," 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." While the Australian ambitions for Constitution Hill appear to have been dashed, the owners of Pride Of Arras have their sights set on a trip across the Atlantic. The winner, who previously demonstrated class by taking the Dante and Great Voltigeur in the previous season, may now be aimed at the Canadian International at Woodbine. Beckett praised his charge, 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." Beckett recounted the horse’s recent challenges, including a foot issue that resurfaced before the York Stakes and a disappointing run at the International where the surface may have been deeper than ideal.
"I thought today he would probably find the surface a touch deeper than he would like so you could probably upgrade it a little bit," Beckett explained. "I think there is a good chance he will really enjoy Toronto when we take him to the Canadian International." On the broader impact of Constitution Hill’s Kempton run, Beckett commented, "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." The race card also featured other notable stories on Sky Sports Racing, including Hollie Doyle’s ride on Owen Burrows’ filly targeting a Park Hill victory, Daryz’s sparkling performance in an Arc rehearsal, and Francis‑Henri Graffard discussing his stable stars. Meanwhile, Friendly Soul secured a win in the Prix Vermeille, adding further excitement to a busy racing week. In summary, Constitution Hill’s fourth‑place finish, while disappointing relative to his lofty expectations, offers valuable information for his future campaign.
The connections will now evaluate suitable handicap opportunities over distances between twelve and fourteen furlongs, aiming to restore the horse’s confidence and sharpen his form. At the same time, Pride Of Arras’s triumph opens the door to an international adventure, with the Canadian International emerging as a realistic and enticing target for the talented three‑year‑old. Both horses have demonstrated the quality to compete at a high level, and their upcoming races will be closely watched by enthusiasts eager to see how their stories unfold.