National Hunt racing has seen many exceptional horses, but Constitution Hill stands out as a true phenomenon, redefining what’s possible in hurdling.
As the 2025 Cheltenham Festival approaches with gathering momentum, racing enthusiasts find themselves contemplating the potential coronation of a genuine hurdling immortal.
Following his triumphant return to competitive action in the Christmas Hurdle after battling potentially career-ending colic, Constitution Hill appears poised to reclaim his Champion Hurdle crown on the hallowed Prestbury Park turf. His commanding victory over the highly-regarded Lossiemouth has reestablished his position as the dominant force in the Champion Hurdle antepost betting.
A perennial figure at Prestbury Park, it will be interesting to see if anyone has what it takes to stop Nicky Henderson this time around, or whether the unbeaten eight-year-old will once again prove to be simply too good. In this article, we reflect on some of his best victories ahead of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (March 2022)
Constitution Hill’s Festival introduction proved nothing short of revolutionary. Arriving at Prestbury Park with minimal experience, he produced a performance of such breathtaking authority that it immediately altered perceptions of hurdling possibilities.
His 22-length demolition of a quality field, including the highly-regarded Jonbon, came in a time faster than Honeysuckle would record in the Champion Hurdle later that day—an unprecedented achievement that signalled the arrival of something extraordinary, shocking the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle odds.
The fluidity of his jumping, the effortless nature of his galloping style, and his devastating turn of foot combined to create what many consider the definitive Supreme Novices’ performance of the modern era.
Champion Hurdle (March 2023)
Facing the most accomplished assembly of two-mile hurdlers in recent memory, Henderson’s star delivered a performance of astonishing superiority in the 2023 Champion Hurdle.
The nine-length winning margin over State Man only partially conveyed his absolute dominance as Constitution Hill travelled with a nonchalant brilliance that separated him categorically from his accomplished rivals. When Nico de Boinville finally unleashed his mount’s devastating change of gear approaching the second-last flight, the response was instantaneous and decisive.
What rendered this performance particularly remarkable was the absence of any apparent exertion—Constitution Hill secured hurdling’s blue riband with such effortless authority that it recalibrated expectations of championship hurdling.
Aintree Hurdle (April 2023)
Constitution Hill’s transition to the extended two-and-a-half-mile journey of the Aintree Hurdle provided a fascinating examination of his versatility beyond the conventional two-mile championship distance.
Against established performers proven at the intermediate trip, he produced another exhibition of hurdling excellence, drawing clear on the run to the final flight before being eased considerably in the closing stages.
This performance completed a perfect season that had established Constitution Hill as a hurdler of genuinely historic proportions—a rare athlete capable of dominating across different tracks, ground conditions, and distances with equal authority. His effortless adaptation to the extended journey suggested tantalising possibilities for a future career that was set to dominate horse race betting.
Christmas Hurdle (December 2024)
Following a challenging period battling life-threatening colic, Constitution Hill’s return in the 2024 Christmas Hurdle carried profound significance beyond mere sporting competition.
Facing the formidable Lossiemouth, who had emerged during his absence as a potential successor to his hurdling crown, Henderson’s champion provided a compelling demonstration that his extraordinary talents remained undimmed.
Despite conceding weight to his primary rival and returning from an extended competitive absence, Constitution Hill displayed his characteristic dominance, much to the emotional relief of his connections. The victory reaffirmed his position at the pinnacle of the hurdling division and set the stage for a potentially triumphant return to Cheltenham.
Constitution Hill’s dominant win in the International Hurdle was the perfect prep for his Champion Hurdle defence. He showcased his class with smooth jumping, effortless travel, and a decisive finishing kick. His return from illness to championship contention adds to his remarkable story. Cheltenham 2025 could cement his place among National Hunt racing’s true greats.
