Rossa Ryan steps in to ride Champion Hurdler Constitution Hill in Sunday’s Group 2 Premio del Jockey Club in Milan, replacing Oisin Murphy.
Ryan replaces Murphy for Milan race
Nicky Henderson’s celebrated Champion Hurdler, Constitution Hill, is set to compete in the 1m4f Premio del Jockey Club in Milan this Sunday. This Group 2 event will see a significant change in the saddle for the nine-year-old star. Rossa Ryan has been confirmed as his new jockey for the high-profile race.
The switch occurred because former champion jockey Oisin Murphy, who was originally slated to ride, became unavailable. Murphy has existing commitments in France that prevent him from taking the mount. This necessitated a swift replacement.
Henderson reached out to Ryan on Monday 2026-10-19, after Ryan had been in Milan the previous weekend. Ryan, an Arc de Triomphe-winning rider, accepted the opportunity despite never having ridden Constitution Hill before.
Constitution Hill’s Milan challenge details
Constitution Hill, a nine-year-old and former Supreme winner, is preparing for his second career Flat race. He faces a strong international field in Italy, including William Haggas’ seasoned globetrotter, Dubai Honour, in what promises to be a competitive contest.
- Race: 1m4f Premio del Jockey Club, a Group 2 event held in Milan.
- Date: Sunday 2026-10-25.
- Original Jockey: Oisin Murphy, who partnered the horse for his Flat debut at Southwell.
- New Jockey: Rossa Ryan, confirmed for the ride on Monday 2026-10-19.
- Ground conditions: Forecast predicts 52mm of rain between Wednesday 2026-10-21 and Thursday 2026-10-22, suggesting very soft ground, which Murphy reportedly felt would suit the horse.
Constitution Hill’s flat racing ambitions
Constitution Hill has long been a dominant force in National Hunt racing, highlighted by his Champion Hurdle victory. His recent venture into Flat racing at Southwell marked a significant and much-discussed exploration of his versatility. This move generated considerable excitement among racing fans and analysts alike.
The decision to enter a Group 2 race, such as the Premio del Jockey Club, underscores the serious intent behind his Flat career. Such high-profile entries are not mere experiments. They signal a determined effort to prove his capabilities beyond the jumps, building on his initial Flat run with Oisin Murphy.
Jockey change impacts race strategy
The last-minute jockey change for Constitution Hill could significantly alter race day dynamics and public perception of his chances. Rossa Ryan, an accomplished Arc de Triomphe-winning rider, now faces the immediate challenge of partnering a high-profile horse he has never ridden. This demands rapid adaptation under pressure.
Ryan’s lack of prior experience with Constitution Hill contrasts sharply with Murphy’s established rapport from the horse’s Flat debut. A successful performance in Milan would not only validate the horse’s Flat potential but also showcase Ryan’s exceptional ability to deliver in demanding situations. Conversely, a poor run might lead to questions about the timing and wisdom of such a late substitution.
How will Ryan adapt to Constitution Hill?
The most pressing question is how effectively Rossa Ryan can forge an immediate partnership with Constitution Hill, considering he has never ridden the horse in any setting.
- Will the anticipated soft ground truly play to Constitution Hill’s strengths, as Oisin Murphy previously indicated?
- How will the horse cope with the specific track characteristics of San Siro, differing from his Southwell experience?
- Can Constitution Hill realistically challenge established Flat specialists like Dubai Honour in a competitive Group 2 environment?
Sunday’s Group 2 race in Milan
All attention will turn to Milan this Sunday 2026-10-25 to observe Constitution Hill’s performance with his new jockey. The outcome of this race will be pivotal for determining the trajectory of his Flat racing career.
- The result will provide a strong indication of Constitution Hill’s genuine ability to compete at Group level on the Flat.
- Future race entries and long-term plans for the horse will heavily depend on his showing in the Premio del Jockey Club.
- This race also serves as a critical test of Rossa Ryan’s capacity to step into a high-pressure role and deliver immediately.
A late jockey switch is a calculated gamble
Replacing Oisin Murphy with Rossa Ryan at short notice for a Group 2 race is a significant gamble. Murphy’s French commitments are understandable, but disrupting a horse’s preparation, especially one transitioning disciplines, carries risks. Ryan is talented, but building rapport with a new mount takes time.
This decision reflects Nicky Henderson’s confidence in Ryan’s ability and Constitution Hill’s class. However, it places immense pressure on both to perform immediately. Against strong Flat opposition and potentially heavy ground, a perfect debut partnership is not guaranteed. A strong performance would justify this bold strategic move.
