Horse racing owner Michael Buckley has outlined a potential Flat campaign for Constitution Hill, culminating in the Melbourne Cup later this year or in 2026. The star hurdler recently impressed on his Flat debut at Southwell, but a decision on his Champion Hurdle participation remains pending. Buckley expressed the emotional challenge of the choice while emphasizing the horse's exceptional talent.
Constitution Hill, National Hunt racing's leading hurdler, made a striking transition to the Flat with a victory in the SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes at Southwell on Friday, winning by nine and a half lengths under jockey Oisin Murphy. This performance followed three falls in his last four starts over obstacles, prompting questions about his next move. Trainer Nicky Henderson plans to school the horse with jumping expert Yogi Breisner in the coming days to assess his readiness for the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 10.
Owner Michael Buckley, speaking on Racing TV's Luck on Sunday programme, described the dilemma surrounding Cheltenham. "I'm due to go to Cheltenham on the Tuesday and if he runs it will be very, very hard on my heart, and if he doesn't run and something else wins I'm going to think we could have won that race," Buckley said. He noted that no other contenders have matched Constitution Hill's past margins of victory, such as 20 lengths or track records, adding to the pressure. Buckley attributed recent falls to the horse's over-confidence, but recent schooling videos show improved unity with jockey Nico de Boinville.
Buckley advocates shifting focus to a Flat campaign regardless of the Cheltenham outcome. "I did say to Nicky 'can we agree on one thing, whatever we decide about Cheltenham, let's for the rest of this year concentrate on a Flat campaign'," he stated. Potential targets include the Sky Bet Ebor at York, a race at Goodwood, or the Irish St Leger in late August or early September, building toward the Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November. Henderson doubts the horse will stay two and a half miles, favoring two-mile distances. Buckley called a Champion Hurdle win a potential "swansong" over hurdles, but emphasized prioritizing the horse's well-being amid widespread affection for the animal.
One racing insider told Buckley they hoped he would run at Cheltenham, saying it would feel "hollow" without Constitution Hill, whom they regard as the best horse.
