Constitution Hill's jumping career is over after trainer Nicky Henderson made the heartbreaking call to pull the nine-year-old from next month's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The decision came down to one simple truth: it just wasn't fair to ask him to jump again.
Henderson and owner Michael Buckley reached their conclusion following a schooling session at the Seven Barrows yard earlier today.
The beloved horse, affectionately known as "Conrad" at the stables, has fallen in three of his last four outings over hurdles.
Nicky Henderson released an emotional statement after pulling Constitution Hill out of Cheltenham
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That alarming pattern proved too risky to ignore, despite the horse being one of the most talented hurdlers of recent times.
Henderson's statement laid bare the emotional weight of the decision.
The trainer acknowledged the "magical occasion" at Southwell last Friday, where thousands showed their love for the horse.
"We are very aware of the public perception and the possible consequences of running over hurdles and feel it is not fair to ask him and Nico to do it again," Henderson added, referring to jockey Nico de Boinville.
"Michael Buckley and I have not surprisingly spent a lot of time soul searching and thinking over Constitution Hill's future and have sadly concluded that he will not be running in the Unibet Champion Hurdle the week after next," he said.
Constitution Hill has fallen in three of his last four outings over hurdles
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"We are very aware of the public perception and the possible consequences of running over hurdles and feel it is not fair to ask him and Nico to do it again," Henderson added, referring to jockey Nico de Boinville.
Constitution Hill burst onto the scene as an unstoppable force, rattling off ten consecutive victories without ever tasting defeat over obstacles.
His 2022 Supreme Novices' Hurdle triumph announced his arrival, and he cemented his status by claiming the Champion Hurdle crown in 2023, seeing off future champion State Man in the process.
Henderson described him as "one of the most talented hurdlers of the 21st century" – and few would argue.
But everything changed at last year's Festival when he crashed out as the 1-2 favourite, four flights from home.
Similar falls followed at Aintree in April and Newcastle last November, leaving connections with an impossible choice.
The future looks bright on the Flat after Constitution Hill's stunning nine-and-a-half length demolition at Southwell last Friday.
Nico de Boinville had been scheduled to ride Constitution Hill
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That performance, watched by a record crowd of more than 3,000 on ITV's Friday Night Live card, showed he could thrive in an entirely new discipline.
Owner Buckley is now dreaming big, with an ambitious tilt at November's Melbourne Cup among the possibilities.
"He showed on Friday night that he has another career in front of him that could possibly take us all to new playing fields," Henderson said.
Cheltenham Festival gets underway on March 10 and ends on March 13
| PACheltenham has invited Constitution Hill to parade on Champion Hurdle day, giving fans the chance to bid farewell to a true great.
The iconic horse's withdrawal has also sparked chaos among bookies, though BOYLE Sports have announced they will be refunding all bets placed on Constitution Hill.
Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BOYLE Sports, said: “Constitution Hill is a horse who has given so much to National Hunt racing, and he’s had loyal supporters the whole way through.
"BOYLE Sports will be refunding all bets on Nicky Henderson’s star in the Champion Hurdle and we can’t wait to see him back on track wherever that may be.”