Constitution Hill out of Cheltenham Festival as Nicky Henderson reveals future plans
Nicky Henderson has put an end to weeks of speculation by announcing that Constitution Hill will not run at the Cheltenham Festival
Views have been split regarding the future path for the career of one of the most gifted hurdlers of the 21st century. The previously unbeatable jumper had never tasted defeat over obstacles when he stepped up as market leader for the 2025 Champion Hurdle. However, he tumbled during the contest, sparking a sequence of underwhelming performances in which he has fallen in three of his past four hurdle outings.
Whilst considering his options, Henderson sent Constitution Hill to the Flat for the first time, taking him to Southwell for a specially organised contest over 1m4f on the all-weather surface.
(Image: Tom Jenkins, Getty Images)
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Before a record attendance of more than 3,000 spectators, he triumphed by nine and a half lengths on the Friday Night Live card broadcast by ITV, displaying the qualities of a potentially shrewd Flat performer.
The following day, Henderson confessed all that favourable coverage would be ‘wiped out in 10 seconds’ should Constitution Hill take a tumble, or worse, at Cheltenham. He described the Southwell success as giving him “the biggest headache of my life”, though the choice remained a ’50-50′ decision.
He stated a verdict would be reached by the week’s end following discussions of all possibilities with owner Michael Buckley.
Crucial to the outcome would be his display in a planned schooling session in Lambourn on Wednesday. Yet the signs became clear when the horse started to drift alarmingly in the Champion Hurdle market.
(Image: PA)
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He was knocked off his perch as Champion Hurdle favourite and his odds not to run were slashed to 1-14. Soon after, Henderson issued a statement confirming Constitution Hill would not be risked at Cheltenham, likely signalling the end of his hurdling career, to concentrate on the Flat.
The statement said: “Michael Buckley and I have not surprisingly spent a lot of time soul searching and thinking over Constitution Hills 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 Horse 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 to do it again.
“He showed on Friday night that he has another career in front of him that could possibly take us all to new playing fields.”
It continued: “I would like to thank the thousands of Constitution Hills 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.
“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.
“Cheltenham have kindly invited Constitution Hill to parade on Champion Hurdle day to give all his National Hunt supporters the opportunity to say goodbye.”
Constitution Hill claimed ten consecutive hurdle victories after exploding onto the scene, capturing the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2022 and Champion Hurdle in 2023, defeating future champion State Man. He was absent for the 2024 edition before tumbling four out in the race last year despite going off as 1-2 favourite.
