Constitution Hill was forced to accept a clear fourth‑place finish behind Pride Of Arras in his much‑anticipated third flat start at the William Hill September Stakes, held at Kempton Park. The young superstar, once a dazzling hurdler under the guidance of Nicky Henderson, has remained a major attraction since his switch to the flat, yet this Group Three contest represented a substantial leap from the victories he recorded at Southwell and earlier at Kempton in February and March. When the race began, the odds‑on favourite Gethin seized the early lead over the mile‑and‑a‑half distance. Close behind were Billy Loughnane and Constitution Hill, who were quoted at 9‑2 and sat in a tight fourth‑place pocket, still showing a degree of menace as they turned for home.
Approaching the two‑furlong marker, Constitution Hill produced a brief flash of optimism, but it quickly became evident that he would not be able to join the leaders. Instead, the Ralph Beckett‑trained Pride Of Arras, starting at 11‑2, surged forward and held off a late rally from Gethin, winning by a length.
The defeat was especially disappointing for Henderson, who had been eyeing the Melbourne Cup as a possible autumn target for Constitution Hill. After the race he admitted that the Australian classic was now out of the picture. "Melbourne is gone now, sadly," he said, adding that today’s performance would dictate the next steps in the horse’s campaign.
"I don’t think we want to go under a mile and a half, that is for sure. Twelve, thirteen or fourteen furlongs seems to be the range where we’ll aim. He did come on for the run, but from a furlong out I think he took a bit of a blow.
It will sharpen him up." Henderson also noted that Constitution Hill will now be eligible for handicap races, opening up a range of lucrative opportunities across England, Ireland, and potentially elsewhere. "It will be interesting to see the reaction on Tuesday," he said, referring to the upcoming handicap rating.
"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 Australian ambitions may have been dashed, the connections of the victor, Pride Of Arras, are already looking across the Atlantic.
The horse, who previously displayed class in the Dante and Great Voltigeur Stakes, could now be earmarked for the Canadian International at Woodbine. Beckett expressed confidence in his colt’s ability to handle the trip. "He’s a good horse and was good in the Dante and Voltigeur last year – a talented individual," Beckett said.
He recounted the colt’s recent foot problem that emerged before the John Porter and the disappointment of missing the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud, but insisted the horse looked “a million dollars” ahead of the International. Beckett also reflected on the race atmosphere at Kempton.
"It’s great that the crowds have turned out – 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 added, underscoring that despite the loss, the young horse remains highly regarded.
The William Hill September Stakes itself featured a full card of supporting stories. Hollie Doyle rode Owen Burrows’ filly to a Park Hill victory, while Sky Sports Racing highlighted jumps action from Sedgefield on Wednesday and Bangor‑on‑Dee on Tuesday. In the Arc rehearsal, Daryz sparkled, and Francis‑Henri Graffard discussed his stable stars. Meanwhile, Friendly Soul secured a win in the Prix Vermeille.
Looking ahead, Henderson’s camp will need to decide whether to keep testing Constitution Hill at the upper end of the distance spectrum or to step back into a more familiar range. The horse’s pedigree suggests stamina, yet the recent race indicated that a slight misstep can cost him dearly. The trainer hinted that a carefully chosen handicap could provide the balance of challenge and confidence needed to restore the colt’s momentum.
In summary, the Kempton outing offered a sobering reminder that even the most promising talent can encounter setbacks when stepping up in class. Pride Of Arras proved his merit by seizing the win and now has his sights set on a trans‑Atlantic campaign, while Constitution Hill’s connections must regroup, assess his rating, and plot a path that maximizes his stamina without overreaching. The coming weeks will reveal whether the young star can bounce back, and whether the Canadian International will become the next chapter in Pride Of Arras’s rising résumé.