The most famous horse on British shores dominated the news once again last week. Following months of discussion, the question of whether or not Constitution Hill will appear in the 2026 Champion Hurdle has been answered. He won’t. Nor will he tackle a hurdle ever again, with an intriguing Flat campaign instead on the agenda.
Elsewhere, a pair of international stars were at it once again, as Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior confirmed their status among the greatest horses of the modern era. Sadly, the week was marred by tragic news from India, with the announcement that the 2024 Irish Champion Stakes winner, Economics, had passed away at just five years of age.
The Flat Adventure Begins for Constitution Hill
Following a string of falls, the racing fraternity united in celebration following Constitution Hill’s sizzling win on the Southwell Tapeta on Friday, 20 February. With his well-being confirmed, trainer Nicky Henderson and owner Michael Buckley were left to ponder the next steps for the much-loved Grade 1 winner. Would he attempt to regain his Champion Hurdle crown at the Cheltenham Festival, or, having posted such an impressive display over 1m4f, would he stick to the flat?
To the disappointment of some, and the relief of others, Henderson ended the suspense on Wednesday 25 February, stating:
“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.”
Expanding on the decision to stick to the flat rather than endure the stress of witnessing this brilliant but flawed talent over hurdles, the six-time champion trainer added:
“He showed on Friday night that he has another career in front of him that could possibly take us all to new playing fields.”
Constitution Hill reclaiming the Champion Hurdle would have provided another Henderson-inspired magical moment at the Cheltenham Festival. However, given the horse’s recent efforts – three falls in four outings – many racing fans would have watched that event from between their fingers or behind the sofa. Hopefully, his flat career won’t be anything like so hair-raising and witnessing it all play out will provide one of the most compelling storylines of 2026.
Hong Kong Heroes Strike Again
While the flat campaign is yet to kick into gear in Britain, the international racing scene continues apace. Last week saw two of its finest proponents strutting their stuff in Sha Tin. There aren’t too many Hong Kong-based runners whose performances resonate with a global audience, including UK racing fans, but Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior are no ordinary horses.
The greatest sprinter on the planet was the first to take to the track, as the David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising lined up in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup on 22 February. Sent off at odds of just 1/20 for the seventh time in eight outings, the mount of Zac Purton blew his rivals away in trademark fashion. At 3½l clear at the line, he broke his own track record in winning the eighth Group 1 of his career. This success also marked Ka Ying Rising’s 18th consecutive victory, breaking the Hong Kong record previously held by the legendary Silent Witness. Back in January 2024, Ka Ying Rising crossed the line in second in a Sha Tin handicap with an official rating of 66. Just over two years later, he sits on a rating of 128, with over £13 million in prize money, and firmly in the conversation as the greatest sprinter of all time.
Winnings of £13 million is an impressive haul by any standards. However, it is not enough to make Ka Ying Rising the highest-earning horse on the planet – or even in Hong Kong. The runner who holds both of those distinctions goes by the name of Romantic Warrior and posted the latest of his 22 career victories in the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup. Going in the hands of James McDonald, the eight-year-old shared his 1/20 SP with Ka Ying Rising and produced an equally impressive display to leave a talented field trailing in his wake. In grabbing a 13th Group 1 victory, Romantic Warrior took his career earnings to £25,732,933 – no horse in history has ever earned more!
Economics Loses Life to Colic
In an otherwise positive week for the sport, Friday 27 February brought sad news from India, with the announcement that the former William Haggas star Economics had lost his battle with colic. Having retired at the end of the 2025 flat season, the son of Night Of Thunder was due to take up stallion duties at Poonawalla Stud Farms. Despite colic surgery initially going well, issues resurfaced, and the five-year-old could not be saved.
“It was a privilege to train such a big-hearted horse who always gave his all” 💙
William Haggas has paid tribute to Economics, who passed away at the age of five yesterday
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 28, 2026
Announcing the tragic news, Poonawalla’s managing director Simone Poonawalla said:
“I’ve never seen a horse so strong and brave even through these agonising days of hope and despair. This is the first time we’ve lost a stallion to colic since 1955, which makes this even more devastating. We are devastated. This is not just a loss of a brilliant racehorse who had all the makings of becoming a top stallion, but a deeply personal loss to us.”
As a Group 1-winning son of an emerging super sire, the loss of Economics is a blow to the breeding industry. However, he will forever be remembered for an electric three-year-old campaign, which included a six-length romp in the Dante Stakes and a thrilling verdict over Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes.
