Nicky Henderson has announced that Constitution Hill will not run in the 2026 Champion Hurdle. The nine-year-old will no longer compete in National Hunt racing.
The trainer took to X to announce that he and owner Michael Buckley had made the decision. This comes in the wake of his magnificent flat debut at Southwell last Friday evening.
It had been announced on Tuesday that Constitution Hill would undergo a crunch schooling session on Wednesday. The result of that schooling would determine his participation at the Cheltenham Festival.
At midday, his odds started drifting significantly for the Champion Hurdle. Just under two hours later, the announcement came through on the Seven Barrows X account.
“Michael Buckley 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.”
Constitution Hill “ready for the next chapter”
A flat debut had long been touted for Constitution Hill. It eventually arrived at Southwell’s Friday Night Live meeting last week.
The immediate response from fans and punters to his astounding victory was to support him for the Champion Hurdle. However, his recent past over hurdles has been chequered. Three falls in four starts, as well as a tailed-off fifth at Punchestown, was an alarming run of form.
Wednesday’s announcement ensures his future is on the flat. It looks bright based on Friday night’s effort, as the Seven Barrows post alluded to.
“He showed on Friday night that he has another career in front of him that could possibly take us all to new playing fields. 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. However, he leaves the jumping world sound & happy and ready for the next chapter.”
The post thanked those who have been fans of the great horse. He will still be present at Cheltenham, but not in a racing capacity.
“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.”