Wednesday saw the National Hunt career of a modern great come to an end. Following a successful flat debut at Southwell on 20th February, the official announcement came that Constitution Hill would play no part in the 2026 Champion Hurdle, with connections calling time on his jumping days.
With a glittering career over obstacles behind him, we will now discover how high the son of Blue Bresil can fly in the flat racing sphere. Few horses explode onto the flat racing scene as a nine-year-old, but few possess such brilliance as Constitution Hill.
The Right Time for a Change of Tack?
The announcement that Constitution Hill’s jumping days are behind him will likely receive a mixed reception. National Hunt aficionados will inevitably feel a tinge of disappointment that they will never again witness this phenomenal talent over obstacles. That disappointment will likely be amplified by the proximity of the Cheltenham Festival – stoking memories of his staggering 22-length rout in the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the nine-length stroll in the 2023 Champion Hurdle. At his best, Constitution Hill was simply in a different league to the opposition and a joy to behold.
However, it is perhaps worth remembering that his Champion Hurdle triumph came three years ago, and things have hardly gone smoothly for the horse since. Health issues saw Constitution Hill race only once between April 2023 and December 2024. Upon his return, he mastered Lossiemouth in the Christmas Hurdle and landed odds of 1/12 in an International Hurdle mismatch, despite giving backers an almighty fright with a jarring error at the last. He then fell in the Champion Hurdle, hit the turf again in the Aintree Hurdle, before finishing in his own time when beaten by 27 lengths at the Punchestown Festival. The signs suggested that this was not the Constitution Hill of old.
Despite that ignominious end to the 2024/25 season, the Champion Hurdle remained the target in 2025/26. Unfortunately, his return in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle saw Nico de Boinville sent tumbling from the saddle once more, as Constitution Hill crashed through the second hurdle.
A Southwell Spectacular
All of the above led to a change of approach, as the Henderson team loaded up the horsebox and headed to Southwell. It is fair to say that the trip to Nottinghamshire could hardly have gone any better. Travelling like the best horse throughout, Constitution Hill needed only minimal encouragement to confirm his superiority by going almost 10 lengths clear in the straight. The evidence suggests that he may not be particularly keen on jumping hurdles anymore, but he certainly can run.
| Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Constitution Hill | Oisin Murphy | Nicky Henderson | – |
| 2nd | Square Necker | David Egan | Kevin Philippart De Foy | +9½ Lengths |
| 3rd | Gambino | Hollie Doyle | Dan Skelton | 1¼ (10¾) Lengths |
While that Southwell display appeared to open the doors to a flat career, Henderson insisted that the 2026 Champion Hurdle remained a potential option. The bookies were impressed, seeing Constitution Hill reclaim clear favouritism for the Day 1 feature. The final decision on whether he would take up his Cheltenham engagement hinged on a final schooling session on Wednesday, 25th February.
Despite the best efforts of eventing guru Yogi Bresner and Nico de Boinville, and reports of positive work from the horse, Henderson announced the decision to fans when stating:
“His work has been brilliant, and he’s technically the best jumper I’ve seen over hurdles in my life, but I just can’t risk it. Michael was here, and we said the same thing. We both just agreed we couldn’t face any more of him over them [hurdles].”
Farewell to Fans at Cheltenham
The absence of Constitution Hill takes a little gloss off the Champion Hurdle field. On the plus side, all who love the horse are spared the anxiety of wondering whether he will fall yet again.
Following the news, the Dan Skelton-trained The New Lion returned to the head of the market, closely followed by the Irish mares, Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth. With defending champion Golden Ace also in the mix, the opening day feature has an open look to it.
Constitution Hill may not go under starter’s orders, but he will at least be present at Cheltenham Racecourse on Champion Hurdle Day. In what is sure to be a popular gesture, Henderson confirmed that the course had extended an invitation to one of the track’s most brilliant performers:
“Cheltenham has kindly invited him to parade on Champion Hurdle Day to allow all his National Hunt supporters to say goodbye before he goes on the Flat.”
Newbury Next on the Agenda?
While the decision has been made regarding the direction Constitution Hill will take, it seems likely the star will remain in the headlines for some time yet. With a flat campaign confirmed, speculation now centres upon how that flat journey might look.
Having made his flat debut over 1m4f, will he remain at that distance? If so, the Group 3 John Porter Stakes at Newbury on 17th April may come into consideration, with a route through the season potentially ending in Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Or perhaps Constitution Hill will move up to staying distances to tackle contests such as the Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown and the Irish St Leger before heading down under for the Melbourne Cup.
It may be a little early to speak of top-level contests in the USA and Australia, but Constitution Hill’s next appearance is already one of the most anticipated events of the 2026 flat campaign.