CONSTITUTION HILL AMONGST 19 ENTRIES FOR THE LISTED WEATHERBY’S AUGUST STAKES
Nicky Henderson-trained star Constitution Hill features among 19 entries for the Listed Weatherbys August Stakes at Windsor on Saturday, 29 August, worth £60,000.
The multiple Grade 1-winning hurdler made an impressive start to his Flat career earlier this year, recording victories at Southwell and Kempton.
He now looks set to step into deeper waters as connections map out an autumn campaign, with their sights potentially set on some bigger prizes in the coming months.
Connections of Constitution Hill will be keeping a close eye on the weather, with hopes of some much-needed rain to allow the nine-year-old to take his chance at Windsor on Saturday.
Trainer, Nicky Henderson, said:
“We’ve always said we’d like to go to Windsor, but this dry spell, as everybody knows, just keeps going on and on.
“I’ve been speaking to Charlie Rees [Clerk of the Course at Windsor] and we’re keeping a close eye on the forecast. There is some rain around, but it’s going to be sporadic and it needs to come fairly soon. Otherwise, we’re going to start getting worried.
“As you can see today, like any other day, he’s a big, heavy horse. We need the ground to be on the easy side of good, and it simply isn’t that at the moment.
“We want to make a decision as early as possible, for everybody’s sake. There’s no point getting into a situation where we’re umming and ahhing on Friday and then taking him out on Saturday morning.
“We appreciate that he’s very popular and that people will want to go and see him. The last thing we want to do is take him out at the last minute because the rain hasn’t materialised.”
Among Constitution Hill’s potential rivals is the 2024 Tattersalls Gold Cup winner White Birch, who could have his first start for Jamie Osborne.
The six-year-old was a 300,000gns purchase at the Tattersalls Autumn Sale last year and is now owned by Barratt Racing.
Constitution Hill could be joined by fellow nine-year-old Al Aasy, with the multiple Group 3 winner a possible runner for William Haggas. Al Aasy has already tasted success at Listed level this year, having won at Beverley earlier in the season.
Former Royal Lodge winner and Group 1-placed Ghostwriter has also been entered for trainer Kevin Philippart de Foy. The five-year-old, who was bought for £2 million by Amo Racing’s Kia Joorabchian before finishing third at Royal Ascot last summer, is set to make just his third start for his new connections.
The Hamad Al Jehani-trained Silawi has been something of a globetrotter on his last five starts, but on his most recent appearance in the UK he landed the Weatherbys Global Stallions App Winter Hill Stakes (Group 3) at Windsor in August last year.
Last year’s winner of this renewal, Arabian Crown, could attempt to go for back-to-back successes in the race for Charlie Appleby.
There could also be strong Irish interest in the race, with Joseph O’Brien entering dual Listed winner Beset and German recruit Nyra. The Willie Mullins-trained Gaucher, who was third in Group 3 company at Leopardstown last time, also features among the entries.
Charlie Rees, Clerk of the course at Royal Windsor Racecourse, said: “We are all incredibly excited and encouraged by the strength and depth of entries for this year's renewal of the Weatherby's August Stakes. It is particularly pleasing to see proven Group 1 performers among the field, alongside the exciting prospect of one of racing's greats, Constitution Hill, making his first start in stakes company.
“The weather forecast for the week remains unsettled, with the possibility of thunderstorms on both Thursday and Friday. Current rainfall predictions vary considerably, but we are likely to see some rain during the week, which will inevitably influence conditions heading into Raceday.”
About Windsor Racecourse
Set on the banks of the River Thames and in the shadow of Windsor Castle, Royal Windsor Racecourse is the home of Monday Night Racing. Famed for its picturesque grounds and highly enjoyable summer flat racing, it's the perfect day out for all.
Away from the flat season, jumps racing continues at Windsor over the winter period, following its stunning return back in December 2024, after two decades. Royal Windsor Racecourse hosts the Berkshire Winter Million in partnership with Ascot Racecourse, returning for it's third renewal in January 2027.
