Constitution Hill won’t be lining up for the Champion Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, and it’s a decision that’s left the racing world both heartbroken and understanding in equal measure.
Trainer Nicky Henderson and owner Michael Buckley have pulled the former champion from the race after the gelding fell in three of his last four starts over hurdles.
The pair spent considerable time deliberating over the horse’s future before reaching their conclusion.
For them, the welfare of Constitution Hill simply had to come first, with the potential consequences of another fall too serious to ignore.
Nicky Henderson released an emotional statement after pulling Constitution Hill out of Cheltenham | GETTY
It turns out the horse’s belief in himself when it comes to jumping has completely disappeared, making any return over obstacles simply too risky for both him and jockey Nico de Boinville.
Henderson was clear about where he stands, saying “it is not fair to ask him and Nico to do it again.”
The six-time champion trainer also revealed he’d received letters from lawyers threatening legal action if he chose to run Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle.
Henderson even admitted that another fall would have potentially led him to consider hanging up his own training licence.
Thankfully, there’s a silver lining to this story, and it came at Southwell back in February.
Constitution Hill has fallen in three of his last four outings over hurdles | GETTY
Constitution Hill made his flat racing debut there and absolutely stormed home, winning a novice race over a mile and a half by nearly ten lengths.
Oisin Murphy was in the saddle for that impressive victory, which proved beyond doubt that the horse still has plenty of engine and speed.
That performance convinced both Henderson and Buckley that their star has a genuine future on the level.
Henderson described the decision to skip Cheltenham as one of the toughest calls of his entire career.
While Constitution Hill won’t be racing at Prestbury Park, fans will still get the chance to see their hero one last time.
Nico de Boinville had been scheduled to ride Constitution Hill | GETTY
Cheltenham has invited the superstar to parade in the Champion ring on Champion Hurdle day, giving his devoted National Hunt supporters a proper farewell.
Henderson described the journey so far as “staggering” and acknowledged that owner Buckley has endured some dark days alongside the extraordinary highs.
As for what comes next, the horse’s new career on the flat could take him to some exciting destinations.
Potential targets include the Melbourne Cup and the Irish St Leger, opening up entirely new horizons where the risk of falling simply doesn’t exist.
