Constitution Hill demonstrated his prowess in transitioning to flat racing by securing a victory at Kempton Park on Wednesday evening, marking his second win in this new discipline. The nine-year-old, a former Champion Hurdle victor, partnered with renowned jockey Ryan Moore in a 1m4f novice stakes event held on the all-weather course.
After an impressive debut in the flat racing scene back in February, Constitution Hill entered the race as the strong favorite to claim the top prize of £6,480, generously sponsored by Virgin Bet. Despite the odds, a substantial crowd gathered at Kempton Park to witness the Nicky Henderson-trained ex-hurdler’s progression.
Following a series of falls in his recent hurdle races, Constitution Hill’s career at the jumps seemed uncertain. Hence, 33 days ago, the decision was made to redirect the former Champion Hurdle winner towards a new path. Trainer Nicky Henderson set his sights on the SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes at Southwell for the talented nine-year-old owned by Michael Buckley.
The strategy paid off remarkably at the Southwell event, with Constitution Hill, ridden by Oisín Murphy, dominating the race and clinching victory by a commanding margin of nine and a half lengths, much to the delight of the spectators present.
The stellar performance prompted Henderson to make a pivotal decision to shift Constitution Hill’s focus away from jumps racing, including skipping prestigious events like the Cheltenham Festival, and instead concentrating on his future prospects in flat racing.
Returning to familiar grounds at Kempton Park, where he had previously achieved success in the Christmas Hurdle on three occasions during his jumping career, Constitution Hill received a warm welcome from a crowd of 1,477 attendees. The audience eagerly anticipated his performance, and he did not disappoint, comfortably securing victory as the 1-7 favorite under the skilled guidance of jockey Ryan Moore.
Moore expressed his satisfaction with Constitution Hill’s performance, acknowledging the horse’s potential for further improvement in flat racing. The duo’s success on the track left room for optimism about the horse’s future capabilities and competitive level, particularly excelling at a distance of 12 furlongs.
In a bittersweet turn of events, Henderson sadly announced the passing of Sir Gino, a prominent figure in the jumping division and a potential successor to Constitution Hill, due to complications following a severe injury.
Reflecting on Constitution Hill’s recent victories and transition to flat racing, Henderson emphasized the importance of the horse enjoying his races and expressed relief at the positive developments. He highlighted the horse’s adaptability and hinted at his comfort with the shorter distances in flat racing, indicating a promising future ahead.
The supportive crowd reaction at Kempton Park resonated deeply with Henderson, underscoring the challenges faced in the past and the newfound enthusiasm for Constitution Hill’s successful transition to a new chapter in his racing career.