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 race, a Group Three contest over a mile and a half, proved a significant step up from the horse’s recent victories at Southwell and earlier at Kempton in February and March, and the result highlighted the challenges of transitioning from hurdling to top‑level flat racing. During his hurdling career, Constitution Hill dazzled fans and pundits alike, delivering performances that placed him among the sport’s biggest attractions. Trainer Nicky Henderson has long championed the colt as a star, and the move to flat racing generated considerable excitement.
However, the September Stakes represented a considerable increase in class. While the horse had shown his ability at lower‑level flat events, the quality of the opposition in this Group Three race was a notch higher, and the distance of one and a half miles added a further test of stamina. The race unfolded with odds‑on favourite Gethin taking an early lead, dictating a strong pace that set the tone for the field. Constitution Hill, starting at 9‑2, settled in a close fourth position alongside Billy Loughnane, staying within striking distance of the leaders as the field turned for home.
The colt displayed a degree of menace, staying on the rail and appearing ready to make a late run. Approaching the final two furlongs, Constitution Hill briefly showed a flicker of hope, but it quickly became evident that he would not be able to challenge the front‑runners.
Pride Of Arras, trained by Ralph Beckett and starting at 11‑2, surged ahead in the closing stages, holding off a late rally from Gethin by a length. The victory gave Pride Of Arras a decisive win and left Constitution Hill to contemplate his next steps. In the post‑race interview, Henderson acknowledged that the Melbourne Cup, which had been a tantalising prospect for the autumn, was now out of reach. "Melbourne is gone now, sadly," he said.
"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 went on to outline his future plans for the colt, emphasizing a preference for distances longer than a mile and a half. "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 where we go with him," he explained. He added that the horse had shown signs of improvement during the race, despite a slight setback in the final furlong.
"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," Henderson said. Looking ahead, Henderson noted that Constitution Hill will now be eligible for handicap races, opening up a range of lucrative opportunities in England, Ireland, and beyond. "It will be interesting to see what the reaction on Tuesday is.
It could allow him into some very lucrative handicaps," he said, hinting at potential entries in high‑profile events later in the season. The trainer also reflected on the difficulty of the race, describing it as a substantial step up from the two novice stakes the colt had previously contested. "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 remarked, underscoring the importance of the performance for future rating assessments. Despite the disappointment, Henderson remained optimistic about the horse’s future.
"We’ll find a nice race for him somewhere and he’s by no means finished yet, I can promise you that," he affirmed, reinforcing his belief that Constitution Hill still has plenty to offer. For the connections of Pride Of Arras, the victory sparked fresh ambitions. The win, following strong performances in last year’s Dante and Great Voltigeur, positioned the horse for a possible trip to Canada, where he could contest the Canadian International on the synthetic surface at Woodbine.
Beckett expressed confidence in his colt’s ability to handle the new challenge. "He’s a good horse and was good in the Dante and Voltigeur last year, a talented individual," Beckett said. Beckett also addressed the horse’s recent foot issues, which had hampered his campaign earlier in the season. He explained that a foot problem surfaced just before the John Porter Stakes, limiting the colt’s preparation for the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud.
Nevertheless, Beckett felt the horse had recovered sufficiently to compete at a high level. "I thought he looked a million dollars before the International and hadn’t looked better," he added, expressing optimism about the horse’s form heading into the Canadian race. Regarding the impact of Constitution Hill’s performance at Kempton, Beckett highlighted the importance of the crowd and the entertainment value of the sport, while also acknowledging the competitive nature of the event.
"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." In summary, while Constitution Hill’s flat debut at Kempton ended in a disappointing fourth place, the experience provided valuable insight into his optimal distance and future racing strategy. Henderson’s focus now shifts to longer distances and handicap opportunities, while Pride Of Arras’s connections are eyeing a transatlantic adventure in Canada. Both trainers remain hopeful that their respective horses will continue to develop and achieve success in the upcoming months.