UK superstar Constitution Hill eyeing Melbourne Cup bid

Champion hurdler – and one of UK racing’s most well known horses – Constitution Hill could be set for a crack at the Melbourne Cup.

The 11-time winner is one of the highest rated hurdlers in history and is currently the centre of speculation in the UK over whether he would return to the jumps after falling in the three of his last four races.

On Friday, the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding opted for a change, tackling a flat race instead over 2400m, which he won as a strong favourite. He presence in Southwell drew a strong crowd.

Much of the racing world is watching on to see what the plan is for the 9 year old. Once considered one of the finest jumpers racing had seen, he has had a series of falls. Some commentators have suggested he focus on flat racing or even suggesting the horse had lost his hurdling confidence.

But after his flat win, Constitution Hill moved into favourite for the Champion Hurdle in March.

Owner Michael Buckley said he was unsure whether Constitution Hill would return to the hurdles, but confirmed he was eyeing off a possible Melbourne Cup tilt.

”So, I think that the horse should be running around about the end of August or beginning of September in either the Ebor or there’s a race at Goodwood or in the Irish St Leger with a view to going to Melbourne. I think he’ll stay two miles [3200m] on the flat,” he told Racing TV.

”You asking me today … what would you like to aim at?”

”It’s a decent distance away, you can plan a campaign. You know what you’ve got to do. Got to get higher up in the handicap to get in. I don’t know what the optimum rating is for not be at the top.”

”But I think that’s what if you were asking me what I’d like to do, that’s what I’d like to aim at.”

🇦🇺 “That’s what I’d like to aim at.”

A trip Down Under for Constitution Hill? ✈️@WorldPool | #LuckOnSunday pic.twitter.com/f918Dd2e4W

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 22, 2026

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy rode Constitution Hill to victory on Friday, and he was impressed with his performance considering his lack of flat experience.

“He felt like a machine,” Murphy told ITV.

“It went to plan. It would’ve been very easy for me to blast off in front, but I wanted to get in among them and give him an idea of what a flat race is like.”

“For a big horse that’s been jumping, he has a lot of speed and he’s a joy to ride.”