In recent years, few, if any, horses have generated as many column inches as the Nicky Henderson-trained Constitution Hill. Once the poster horse of the division and seemingly unbeatable in two-mile hurdle events, the Michael Buckley-owned star has suffered a spectacular fall from grace in recent times.
Soaring to the Summit
Constitution Hill isn’t the first superstar to emerge from the Irish Point-to-Point scene, and he won’t be the last. The son of Blue Bresil made his sole Point-to-Point appearance at Tipperary in April 2021, finishing second to Anyharminasking. He wouldn’t taste defeat again until March 2025.
Following that Tipperary display, Constitution Hill was purchased on behalf of Michael Buckley for £120,000. That price represented a significant increase on his 2017 foal price of €16,500.
Sensational Novice Season
| Date | Race | Course | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/12/21 | Novices’ Hurdle | Sandown | 1st |
| 8/1/22 | Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle | Sandown | 1st |
| 15/3/22 | Supreme Novices’ Hurdle | Cheltenham | 1st |
Making his racecourse debut in a Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown in December 2021, Constitution Hill started as he meant to go on with a 14-length rout. Returning to Sandown in January 2022 for the Grade 1 Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle, he was again in a different league to the opposition, 12 lengths the winning margin this time.
Then came the ultimate test of an up-and-coming novice hurdler, as Constitution Hill travelled to Cheltenham for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. With stablemate Jonbon and a host of Willie Mullins-trained rivals among the opposition, this represented his stiffest test yet. At the line, it was a case of Constitution Hill first, the rest nowhere, as the mount of Nico de Boinville sauntered fully 22 lengths clear in the hottest novice hurdle of the year.
Flawless in 2022/23
| Date | Race | Course | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26/11/22 | Fighting Fifth Hurdle | Newcastle | 1st |
| 26/12/22 | Christmas Hurdle | Kempton | 1st |
| 14/3/23 | Champion Hurdle | Cheltenham | 1st |
| 13/4/23 | Aintree Hurdle | Aintree | 1st |
| 26/12/23 | Christmas Hurdle | Kempton | 1st |
With the cat well and truly out of the bag with regard to Constitution Hill’s freakish level of ability, he started at odds of just 1/4 on his first start in open company. Those who took the skinny price had no cause for concern as he slammed former Champion Hurdle winner Epatante by 12 lengths in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. Next time out in the Christmas Hurdle, the result was much the same, as Constitution Hill extended his superiority over Epatante to 17 lengths.
By now, Constitution Hill was comfortably the most talked-about horse in training. However, to be crowned king of the two-mile division, only one race counts – the Champion Hurdle. Lining up for the 2023 edition of the Day One showpiece at the Cheltenham Festival, Constitution Hill looked to face his toughest opponent yet in State Man. The Willie Mullins star arrived on a six-race winning streak, having conclusively proved himself the best of the best in Ireland.
What was supposed to be a fascinating duel turned into yet another Constitution Hill-led procession. Swaggering into contention three from home, he merely needed to be shaken up to put nine lengths between himself and the rest. Rounding off his campaign with success in the Aintree Hurdle, Constitution Hill ended the season as the highest-rated horse in training.
Overcoming Injury and Illness
Despite rumours of stepping up in trip and a potential Gold Cup challenge, Constitution Hill made his 2023/24 return in the Christmas Hurdle. A new year, but the result was the same as he cruised to victory at Kempton by a margin of almost 10 lengths.
Thus far, Constitution Hill’s career had been a tale of uninterrupted success. However, he was about to experience his first bump in the road. Following his Kempton triumph, a sub-par racecourse gallop revealed a respiratory issue. Subsequently suffering a nasty bout of colic, he didn’t race again in the 2023/24 season.
“We have had a few traumatic days with poor Constitution Hill.”
Constitution Hill has suffered a setback in his health following suspected colic…
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 31, 2024
Moving on to 2024/25, an interrupted preparation saw Constitution Hill miss his intended return in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle. Defeat in a racecourse gallop then sparked rumours that those health issues had taken their toll on the superstar.
Initially, those rumours looked to be wide of the mark. Making his comeback in the Christmas Hurdle, Constitution Hill comfortably dispatched the talented mare Lossiemouth. Having backed that up with a win in the International Hurdle, he started at odds of 1/2 to regain his Champion Hurdle crown…
Jumping Ability Falls to Pieces
| Date | Race | Course | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26/12/24 | Christmas Hurdle | Kempton | 1st |
| 25/1/25 | International Hurdle | Cheltenham | 1st |
| 11/3/25 | Champion Hurdle | Cheltenham | Fell |
| 3/4/25 | Aintree Hurdle | Aintree | Fell |
| 2/5/25 | Champion Hurdle | Punchestown | 5th |
If Constitution Hill were to suffer defeat in the Champion Hurdle, few expected it to come as a result of a fall. While he had made an error at the last in the International Hurdle, he had never actually fallen in ten previous outings under rules.
All appeared to be going to plan as the field began the turn towards home. Moving well in third, Constitution Hill was beginning to launch his challenge but failed to lift a leg at the third last and crashed to the turf.
Unfortunately for fans and connections, it was a case of déjà vu in the Aintree Hurdle at the Grand National Meeting. Again moving nicely into contention in the latter stages, Constitution Hill’s attempt to run through the second last, rather than attempt to jump it, predictably ended in disaster.
With his reputation dented, perhaps a first outing in Ireland would restore Constitution Hill’s concentration. In fairness to the horse, he did manage to jump round in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle, but a 27-length fifth of six raised more questions than answers.
Full MOT Fails to Solve Conundrum
| Date | Race | Course | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29/11/25 | Fighting Fifth Hurdle | Newcastle | Fell |
Nicky Henderson conducted a thorough investigation over the summer of 2025 – even sending the eight-year-old to the equine version of Specsavers. Passing every test with flying colours and in spectacular form on the gallops, perhaps this would be the year that Constitution Hill reasserted himself as the king of the two-milers.
His eagerly awaited return came in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle. Odds of 6/4 illustrated the doubts that had crept in – Constitution Hill hadn’t started at odds against since 2022. Sadly, those doubts were justified early. The mount of Nico de Boinville kept his eye on the ball at the first but produced a leap reminiscent of his Champion Hurdle error at the second and again crashed to the turf.
Is There Any Way Back from Here?
The question facing connections is how often they can keep asking Constitution Hill to return to the well. If, as is looking increasingly likely, he no longer enjoys hurdling, it seems unfair on the horse and punters to keep pitching him into top-tier hurdling events. On the other hand, if there is a trainer able to restore a horse to their former glory, it is surely Henderson – witness Sprinter Sacre’s second Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2016.
That said, Sprinter Sacre’s case was rather different. The legendary chaser had his physical ailments but always remained focused – not falling once in 22 outings over obstacles. Asking Constitution Hill to continue down his familiar route looks much riskier.
Time for Something Completely Different?
The worst-case scenario is that Constitution Hill falls again and is not so fortunate in immediately springing to his feet. However, he only turns nine in January and is a little young to usher into retirement. If his jumping days are indeed behind him, how about a second career on the flat? Targeting Constitution Hill at the valuable flat stayers’ programme would remove much of the jeopardy and still allow this much-loved horse to display his considerable ability at the track.
Nicky Henderson certainly didn’t sound averse to the idea in the wake of the Fighting Fifth debacle, stating:
“I wouldn’t be jesting if I said if there was a two-mile maiden on the flat, we could run there. Seriously, why not!”
Constitution Hill for the 2026 Ascot Gold Cup?
