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I didn't plan to write about Constitution Hill. But spending time online after his race yesterday was troubling.
People who appear to be fans of racing were saying things that worried me. They had a firm grasp of the wrong end of the stick and it was making them angry about things that needn't incite strong emotion.
Nicky Henderson not giving up on Constitution Hill's Flat career after San Siro fifth - and a trip to France could be next
'We've got to win a good race for them' - Nicky Henderson vows to deliver for Constitution Hill fans after sampling the San Siro good life
In particular, there were a couple of things that got repeated, which need to be challenged for racing's sake.
'It's about greed!'
Evidently, some people believe (or, at least, are prepared to assert in public) that connections of Constitution Hill are being swayed by greed in their decision-making. The implication, presumably, is that a desire to make a few more quid out of the horse is the reason he's being kept going.
Is that justified by what we saw over the weekend? Sending a horse, plus attendant staff, all the way from Lambourn to Milan is not cheap. Trainer and owner evidently made the journey as well.
Committing to a 900-mile journey, knowing that Group 1 winners lie in wait at the end of it, doesn't suggest greed to me. It is a strategy that can only have a limited chance of making a profit.
Instead, this kind of campaigning could be called ambitious or sporting. They were having a tilt at a major target, knowing they would probably miss. Racing needs that kind of attitude from owners and trainers in order to create excitement around the sport's marquee contests.
If money was the critical factor in the campaigning of this horse, I would have expected them to stay home and go for the St Simon Stakes instead, a Group 3 which was scheduled to take place at Newbury on Saturday. The prize-money would be less than in Milan but the chance of actually winning it was much higher - and the cost of taking part would have been as low as one could hope.
Those are the opportunities you seek if you're just trying to crank a few quid out of your racehorse. But Nicky Henderson and Michael Buckley wanted to try something more fun.
An accusation of greed is a hard one to counter in racing, since prize-money is intended to operate as a lure. Owners and trainers are supposed to chase the cash, that's how we get the best horses into the best races.
Money is a motivating factor here, just as it is in the rest of the world. Without money, how is anyone supposed to pay for their next horse who will help the sport to carry on?
But if greed was an issue with Constitution Hill, wouldn't we see him more often? He has never run more than five times in a calendar year.
Whether or not you agree with their choices, the people behind him are trying to find races that suit him. For racing fans to respond by bandying around a word like "greedy" is to risk damaging the sport they supposedly enjoy.
'Retire him!'
When Luke Harvey argued against calls to retire Constitution Hill during ITV Racing's show on Sunday, I thought he was doing the straw man thing, creating an argument so he could take it apart. But no, it turns out that lots of folk on social media would like to see the horse taken out of the great game and pensioned off to a muddy field.
I guess it shows how much people crave retirement. It's just assumed in these discussions that an end to working days would be a welcome change for the horse in question.
What if he enjoys his work? What if he gets bored out of his mind in that field?
Don't get me wrong, I'm all in favour of racehorses being found something else to do, past a certain stage. I don't like to see teenagers in jump races, however much enthusiasm they may retain.
But Constitution Hill is only nine and sound in wind and limb. Now that he is no longer jumping, his working day contains less risk than ever before. The remaining risk arises from running, which any horse ought to be doing at times, whether they're working or not.
Why on Earth should such a horse be retired?
"He doesn't owe us anything," comes the reply. But this is completely wrong-headed. The implication would be that other horses, who have fared less well on the track, are still paying off their debt to humans.
That's not how it is. Horses and humans work for a living, if they are lucky enough to be able to do so. It's something to be proud of, not something to flee without reason.
Behind some of the cries to retire Constitution Hill, I sense some sulking that he is no longer a hurdler. "What's the point in carrying on, if you're only doing Flat racing - and not even top-class Flat racing!" That seems to be the thinking.
For anyone who actually enjoys Flat racing, there's no need to explain that a horse like him is making a useful contribution, whether he wins or not. Every time he runs, he adds depth and richness to the race.
Constitution Hill is still a racehorse because, even after his jumping ability has evaporated, he can still do a job to a high standard. In Milan, he finished inches behind Dubai Honour, who was runner-up in a Group 1 last month.
Maybe he can do better yet, if he's ridden a bit handier on ground with some cut. It'll be interesting to find out.
Think he has got that spot on dont you?
People who appear to be fans of racing were saying things that worried me. They had a firm grasp of the wrong end of the stick and it was making them angry about things that needn't incite strong emotion.
Nicky Henderson not giving up on Constitution Hill's Flat career after San Siro fifth - and a trip to France could be next
'We've got to win a good race for them' - Nicky Henderson vows to deliver for Constitution Hill fans after sampling the San Siro good life
In particular, there were a couple of things that got repeated, which need to be challenged for racing's sake.
'It's about greed!'
Evidently, some people believe (or, at least, are prepared to assert in public) that connections of Constitution Hill are being swayed by greed in their decision-making. The implication, presumably, is that a desire to make a few more quid out of the horse is the reason he's being kept going.
Is that justified by what we saw over the weekend? Sending a horse, plus attendant staff, all the way from Lambourn to Milan is not cheap. Trainer and owner evidently made the journey as well.
Committing to a 900-mile journey, knowing that Group 1 winners lie in wait at the end of it, doesn't suggest greed to me. It is a strategy that can only have a limited chance of making a profit.
Instead, this kind of campaigning could be called ambitious or sporting. They were having a tilt at a major target, knowing they would probably miss. Racing needs that kind of attitude from owners and trainers in order to create excitement around the sport's marquee contests.
If money was the critical factor in the campaigning of this horse, I would have expected them to stay home and go for the St Simon Stakes instead, a Group 3 which was scheduled to take place at Newbury on Saturday. The prize-money would be less than in Milan but the chance of actually winning it was much higher - and the cost of taking part would have been as low as one could hope.
Those are the opportunities you seek if you're just trying to crank a few quid out of your racehorse. But Nicky Henderson and Michael Buckley wanted to try something more fun.
An accusation of greed is a hard one to counter in racing, since prize-money is intended to operate as a lure. Owners and trainers are supposed to chase the cash, that's how we get the best horses into the best races.
Money is a motivating factor here, just as it is in the rest of the world. Without money, how is anyone supposed to pay for their next horse who will help the sport to carry on?
But if greed was an issue with Constitution Hill, wouldn't we see him more often? He has never run more than five times in a calendar year.
Whether or not you agree with their choices, the people behind him are trying to find races that suit him. For racing fans to respond by bandying around a word like "greedy" is to risk damaging the sport they supposedly enjoy.
'Retire him!'
When Luke Harvey argued against calls to retire Constitution Hill during ITV Racing's show on Sunday, I thought he was doing the straw man thing, creating an argument so he could take it apart. But no, it turns out that lots of folk on social media would like to see the horse taken out of the great game and pensioned off to a muddy field.
I guess it shows how much people crave retirement. It's just assumed in these discussions that an end to working days would be a welcome change for the horse in question.
What if he enjoys his work? What if he gets bored out of his mind in that field?
Don't get me wrong, I'm all in favour of racehorses being found something else to do, past a certain stage. I don't like to see teenagers in jump races, however much enthusiasm they may retain.
But Constitution Hill is only nine and sound in wind and limb. Now that he is no longer jumping, his working day contains less risk than ever before. The remaining risk arises from running, which any horse ought to be doing at times, whether they're working or not.
Why on Earth should such a horse be retired?
"He doesn't owe us anything," comes the reply. But this is completely wrong-headed. The implication would be that other horses, who have fared less well on the track, are still paying off their debt to humans.
That's not how it is. Horses and humans work for a living, if they are lucky enough to be able to do so. It's something to be proud of, not something to flee without reason.
Behind some of the cries to retire Constitution Hill, I sense some sulking that he is no longer a hurdler. "What's the point in carrying on, if you're only doing Flat racing - and not even top-class Flat racing!" That seems to be the thinking.
For anyone who actually enjoys Flat racing, there's no need to explain that a horse like him is making a useful contribution, whether he wins or not. Every time he runs, he adds depth and richness to the race.
Constitution Hill is still a racehorse because, even after his jumping ability has evaporated, he can still do a job to a high standard. In Milan, he finished inches behind Dubai Honour, who was runner-up in a Group 1 last month.
Maybe he can do better yet, if he's ridden a bit handier on ground with some cut. It'll be interesting to find out.
Think he has got that spot on dont you?
Show More
Like so many, must be desperate for something to write about, or maybe just desperate.
I'd be happy if the Racing Post would find something else to write about. Con Hill has been shoved down our throats for the last two years despite being a shadow of his former self.
Mind you, it's now that time of year when every Aidan O'Brien 2yo with a leg at each corner is hailed as the 2027 Derby winner.
Mind you, it's now that time of year when every Aidan O'Brien 2yo with a leg at each corner is hailed as the 2027 Derby winner.
You can bet your bottom dollar he reads The Forum daily he must think that rico is a right fakin eeejit.
90 % of gravy read the forum acey but it’s beneath them to admit….tbh….
CH connections can do what they want but if the racing media think he,s doing enough to merit wall to wall coverage,why arnt we hearing from the trainers,jocks,connections of the 4 horses who finished in front of it yesterday,or the 4 from kempton, surely their opinions are worth far more than those of the horse who finished 5th,do haggas,balding think their horses ran brilliant races ?
Tbh Constitution Hill was the only one i was interested in because i am a fan.
it appears acey dopey is totally obsessed with that rico fellow.
Well you was the Mug calling for his retirement ysdc.
Its clear the horse has clearly lost his love and confidence in going hurdling, quite why connections think that rising 10 he needs runs on the flat, is anyone's guess.
Baffling tbh.
Baffling tbh.
Con Hill was once a very, very good hurdler, and a deserved champion hurdler. But, on the Flat he's not a great horse - there are so many other better than him - yet so called racing papers / pundits have been spending too much time and effort - to the annoyance of most here - in bigging him up as if he's a great and wonderful Flat horse. He's NOT!
This is so unprofessional, disingenuous, tedious and annoying. If the "professional" pundits have little or nothing about horseracing may I suggest they do something constructive and professional eg conduct stable visitation in person - not on the phone - to gather horsey info. This is what every "professional" journalist would do if they value their integrity and respect the horseracing fans and punters. Or say nothing.
I'm sick of hearing the prospective racing plans of Con Hill. I'm also sick of hearing the incessant codswallop from his trainer. Less is more, please. Thank-you.
This is so unprofessional, disingenuous, tedious and annoying. If the "professional" pundits have little or nothing about horseracing may I suggest they do something constructive and professional eg conduct stable visitation in person - not on the phone - to gather horsey info. This is what every "professional" journalist would do if they value their integrity and respect the horseracing fans and punters. Or say nothing.
I'm sick of hearing the prospective racing plans of Con Hill. I'm also sick of hearing the incessant codswallop from his trainer. Less is more, please. Thank-you.
Just keep him fresh,surgically remove that c@nt from his back and let him run in the champion hurdle one last time..
Imagine getting your knickers in a twist over this like Impossible and the other know-it-all's on social media
Implausible is a Master Fisherman or thick as shyte.
Take your pick
Take your pick
lead on 26 Oct 26 15:09
Just keep him fresh,surgically remove that c@nt from his back and let him run in the champion hurdle one last time..
eye konn kerr.
Just keep him fresh,surgically remove that c@nt from his back and let him run in the champion hurdle one last time..
eye konn kerr.
And if he fell? Can you imagine the damage it would do to the game? "But..but..but any horse can fall" We're not talking about just any Horse here though. Almost fell in International Hurdle, Fell in the Champion, Fell in the Aintree, PU at Punchestown, Fell in the Fighting (only going 1/2 speed) Fell in schooling. Is it fair on the Horse to send him back over the jumps? He just needs to find his level on the Flat (No better than Listed/Top level Handicap) and it would be nice to see him win a nice one on the Flat before he's retired. My only expectations of him now is just to run with credit and enjoy his racing.
Even if the jumping issue got resolved it's unlikely he would still be the same dominant horse he was before with father time heavily on his case.
The last decent reference we have to that is the Christmas Hurdle a couple of years ago where Lossie never went a yard but was closing him down late on.
The last decent reference we have to that is the Christmas Hurdle a couple of years ago where Lossie never went a yard but was closing him down late on.
BTW,the Jockey has never been born that can stop a race horse from taking off early,especially once they start guessing as is the case with CH
To be fair to CH he was coming back from a year off the track that day but he still showed his customary turn of foot. Obviously this has been blunted by age. Which happens to us all, both Man and beast...I'm often slowly away from my Armchair these days 
After lying on the sofa for an hour or two after works I can't get up straight away. have to get on knees and push up off the coffee table, it's desperate sight
Owner on Nick Luck Show yesterday said wind yer neck in to the Mugs who are asking for the retirement of his horse because that will not be happening....Could not agree more.
Aye rico who is screaming fur the horses retirement tsdc.
Nicky Henderson not giving up on Constitution Hill's Flat career after San Siro fifth - and a trip to France could be next
Presumably said without looking at the French racing calender as there are no group races left for CH. There's a 12f listed race in the south of France, late November that would be more suitable in terms of class, but a bit of a come down from a G3 at Kempton and a G2 in San Siro.
Presumably said without looking at the French racing calender as there are no group races left for CH. There's a 12f listed race in the south of France, late November that would be more suitable in terms of class, but a bit of a come down from a G3 at Kempton and a G2 in San Siro.
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