The return of Constitution Hill is near as the nine-year-old gears up for Saturday’s September Stakes at Kempton. Billy Loughnane has been booked to ride though Nicky Henderson is not confident given the prospective line-up for the race.
Today’s racing news focuses almost exclusively on one horse for Tuesday.
Constitution Hill: Loughnane booked but Henderson wary of strong rivals
Another superstar jockey will partner Constitution Hill on his next flat run. Ridden so far by Oisin Murphy and Ryan Moore, it is Billy Loughnane who has been booked for the mount this Saturday at Kempton. Loughnane has enjoyed a bigger break out than before this term due to his partnership with the unbeaten Bow Echo. Constitution Hill will be Loughnane’s first ride for Nicky Henderson. (Sporting Life)
The Group 3 September Stakes has attracted a very high-class field, however. Henderson is not confident, but is excited to make plans for the former Champion Hurdler after this weekend. Sounding a cautious note, the trainer said: “The sooner we get this over with the better, and by this time next week we’ll know exactly where we’re going and can start to make sensible plans rather than running in a race he can’t win. He’s not going to go out and beat Group 1 horses, that’s for sure.” (Racing Post)
Among those confirmations and aforementioned Group 1 winners is Bay City Roller. The Coronation Cup winner beat Calandagan that day and may contest his second all-weather race. Also in the potential field are Gethin and Pride Of Arras, while a quartet of Godolphin hopefuls, including Arabian Crown, Dubai Future and Tornado Alert. (RTE)
Constitution Hill’s connections are clearly looking further afield already. He is one of 101 entries for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November. There is set to be substantial interest from Great Britain and Ireland, particularly from Joseph O’Brien. He has 11 horses entered to try and win a third Melbourne Cup crown. Weights for the race will be released later this month. (Racing Post)
Aidan O’Brien rues Constitution River’s York “mess”
Another Constitution, Constitution River, will also have big fixtures on his radar for the rest of 2026. Aidan O’Brien is still looking back for now though, bemoaning the “complete mess” of the Juddmonte International Stakes. Constitution River finished third in the York Group 1, won by Item. However, O’Brien has been happy with him since, saying “we’re hoping he’ll leave that run behind him.” (Racing TV)