Andy Newton

Billy Loughnane booked to ride Constitution Hill in Kempton September Stakes

by
Andy Newton
1 September 2026

Championship-leading jockey Billy Loughnane has been booked to ride Constitution Hill in Saturday’s Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton Park (5th Sept), marking a bold step forward in the former Champion Hurdle winner’s second career on the Flat.

Nicky Henderson’s superstar nine-year-old is two-for-two on the level, having landed low-key novice contests at Southwell and Kempton earlier in the season under Oisin Murphy and Ryan Moore.

However, with Moore riding in the United States and Murphy booked for Saeed bin Suroor’s Tornado Alert, Henderson turned to the sensationally in-form Billy Loughnane for the 1m4f feature.

A Golden Campaign Meets a Steep Test

Loughnane, who leads the 2026 Flat Jockeys’ Championship, is enjoying a stellar season.

Headlined by a Classic victory aboard Bow Echo in the 2,000 Guineas alongside Group 1 triumphs at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood.

Taking the reins on one of National Hunt racing’s most legendary figures presents an intriguing new chapter for the young rider.

“His first choice was Ryan, who is riding in America. So, I offered him Billy, who is definitely there riding in the Sirenia Stakes, and Nicky confirmed he was fine for Billy to ride.”
– Tony Hind, agent to Billy Loughnane and Ryan Moore

Originally expected to resume at Windsor late last weekend, Constitution Hill was rerouted to Kempton’s artificial surface due to fast turf conditions.

The move shifts him directly from novice company into top-class Flat opposition.

While connections known the track and surface are fine – winning at the Sunbury-On-Thames track in March (watch below).

Constitution Hill To Take On Gethin in September Stakes

While Constitution Hill’s transition to the Flat has captivated racing fans, Saturday’s September Stakes represents a stark step up in class.

Moving away from low-key novice company, Nicky Henderson’s star jumps straight into the deep end against proven Group-level performers, headed by market leader Gethin.

Trained by Owen Burrows, the Wathnan Racing-owned grey heads the betting following an impressive spring, which included a narrow runner-up spot behind Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes.

Burrows freshened up Gethin following a taxing run in the Coral-Eclipse on fast summer turf, and with jockey Callum Rodriguez set to take the reins, the unexposed four-year-old looks primed to bounce back on Kempton’s artificial surface.

He won the Listed Magnolia Stakes at Kempton in April (watch below).

Bay City Roller Also Expected To Take On Constitution Hill

The heavyweight threat in the line-up is George Scott’s Bay City Roller, a dual Group 1 winner tuning up for a potential tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

He produced a stunning career-best display to storm home in the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June. Proving himself one of the top 1m 4f horses in training.

Though he must shoulder a steep 7lb Group 1 penalty on Saturday, his raw class makes him a formidable benchmark.

Scott has even enlisted stablemate Watch My Tracer to ensure a genuine gallop. Meaning Constitution Hill will face an uncompromising test of stamina from the drop of the flag.

Adding further intrigue to the contest is Ralph Beckett’s Pride Of Arras, last season’s Great Voltigeur winner who arrives on a retrieval mission.

The four-year-old was forced to miss his intended target in the Juddmonte International at York last month after getting upset in the starting stalls.

Prior to that incident, however, he had shown he was right back to his best when chasing home Item in the York Stakes.

Escaping any penalties on Saturday, Pride Of Arras boasts the engine to blow this race wide open if he puts his gate manners behind him.

Together, this trio represents a formidable wall of Flat talent.

Rated just 101 on the level, Constitution Hill will need to find considerable improvement under Billy Loughnane if he is to hold his own against horses boasting Timeform ratings well into the 120s.

September Stakes 2026

📆Date: Saturday 5th September 2026
⏱️Time: 14:50pm
🏟️Track: Kempton
💷Prize Money: £53,875
📺TV: Racing TV / ITV Racing

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September Stakes Entries and Betting Odds 2026

Gethin 2/1
Bay City Roller 3/1
Pride Of Arras 9/2
Constitution Hill 7/1
Tornado Alert 8/1
Arabian Crown 14/1
Warrant Holder 14/1
Almeric 16/1
Dubai Future 20/1
Lion’s Pride 20/1
By The Book 25/1
Small Fry 33/1
Paddy The Squire 66/1
Watch My Tracer 100/1

Note: Final September Stakes runners are declared on Thursday 3rd Sept

Melbourne Cup Ambitions

Saturday’s assignment carries significance beyond Sunbury-on-Thames.

Connections maintain one eye on a potential tilt at the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

Rated 101 on the Flat, Constitution Hill needs a major performance in Group company to raise his mark toward the 107 threshold required to make the cut for Flemington’s world-famous handicap.

A victory-or a big placing-against established Flat stars on Saturday would confirm his versatility and keep international ambitions firmly alive.

The 2026 Melbourne Cup is set to be run on Tuesday 3rd November.