A T his annual owners day this year, the six-time National Hunt champion trainer Nicky Henderson paraded his new recruits for the season along with his stars such as Jonbon and Shishkin.
“That’s all of them”, he quipped, as if forgetting there was just one more, as Constitution Hill loped into the courtyard with his lad Jaydon Lee. In rude health after his holidays, the horse meandered onto the lawn and started grazing. Looking at his superstar, Nicky told onlookers, “He’s the only one allowed on the grass”.
It’s special treatment for a special sixyear-old, unbeaten in all seven starts for Nicky and regularly touted as the most exciting horse in jumps racing.
The week before, the trainer finally ended the relentless speculation and announced that Constitution Hill would be staying over hurdles for the 2023/24 season. Nicky, owner Michael Buckley and jockey Nico de Boinville had discussed the options; Nicky says his decision was influenced by his jockey expressing doubt over The Hill’s stamina.
“It’s a very different ballgame going 31⁄4 miles round Cheltenham,” Nico elaborates. “It’s a very specific test and there isn’t another one like it anywhere in the country. For a horse with so much speed, and endless gears, you’d be having to teach him to settle for a long, long time, almost putting the dampeners on him instead of allowing his flair and speed to come out.”
The speculation about the horse’s future began in earnest after his 2023 Cheltenham Festival appearance when he trounced seriously good rivals like State Man and Paul Townend to take the Champion
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 02, 2023-Ausgabe von Horse & Hound.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 02, 2023-Ausgabe von Horse & Hound.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
