Constitution Hill Ruled Out of Champion Hurdle as Flat Future Beckons
3 minutes Trainer Nicky Henderson confirmed on Wednesday that the decision followed deep reflection after the nine-year-old fell in three of his last four starts over hurdles, admitting that “it is not fair to ask him and Nico [de Boinville, his jockey] to do it again”.
Constitution Hill, the 2023 Champion Hurdle hero, will not line up for this year’s renewal on 10 March and will not race over obstacles again, with connections opting to draw a line under his jumps career after a midweek schooling session.
Trainer Nicky Henderson confirmed on Wednesday that the decision followed deep reflection after the nine-year-old fell in three of his last four starts over hurdles, admitting that “it is not fair to ask him and Nico [de Boinville, his jockey] to do it again”.
The announcement comes just four days after Constitution Hill produced a striking first run on the Flat at Southwell Racecourse, a performance that immediately reframed his future and offered bettors a new angle on one of the most talented horses of his generation. While many National Hunt fans will lament the absence of a final attempt to reclaim the crown at the Unibet Champion Hurdle, others will see sense in prioritising welfare over sentiment after a run of costly jumping errors.
In a statement released on X, Henderson said:
“Michael Buckley [Constitution Hill’s owner] and I have not surprisingly spent a lot of time soul searching and thinking over Constitution Hill’s future, and have sadly concluded that he will not be running in the Unibet Champion Hurdle the week after next.
“Last Friday night was for us all a magical occasion and we so appreciated his popularity and the love and admiration everybody showed to Conrad, as he is fondly called here. It was a terrific night for both him, us, and I believe British racing and we are very aware of the public perception and the possible consequences of running over hurdles and feel it is not fair to ask him and Nico de Boinville to do it again.”
For punters, the Southwell display was more than a novelty. It hinted at pace, balance and a fresh chapter that could open up lucrative Flat targets, with Henderson openly acknowledging the possibilities ahead.
“He showed on Friday night that he has another career in front of him that could possibly take us all to new playing fields,” he added.
Henderson also referenced the divided reaction from the racing public. “I would like to thank the thousands of Constitution Hill’s supporters and admirers that have shared their sentiments with us and advice on how we should proceed, and I would have to say the poll was as near 50/50 as you could get.
“This is a sad day for a lot of us, particularly the National Hunt fraternity that would have liked to have seen Constitution Hill try to regain his crown and sad for all here, especially Nico, who has spent so much time trying to iron out our jumping issues.”
Owner Michael Buckley has endured the extremes that come with an exceptional talent, from the dominance of the unbeaten Champion Hurdle run to the frustration of recent falls. Yet Henderson struck a positive note in closing:
“However, he leaves the jumping world sound [and] happy and ready for the next chapter. It has been a staggering journey so far and Michael has had to endure some dark days but of course enjoyed the enormous highs and thrills of an extraordinary horse.”
For Winning Post readers and bettors alike, the message is clear: one era has ended, but Constitution Hill’s story is far from finished — and the Flat may yet provide a compelling new market for a horse who has rarely failed to command attention.