Charlie Swan: Constitution Hill Could Be The GOAT

Constitution Hill could be the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), that is according to legendary Irish jockey Charlie Swan who rode the legendary horse Istabraq.

Constitution Hill was in imperious form yet again at the Cheltenham Festival as the six-year-old cruised to a nine-length victory in the Champion Hurdle.

We got the chance here at BoyleSports to catch up with a man who knows a thing or two about winning Champion Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival. That man is Charlie Swan who rode Istabraq to four consecutive Cheltenham Festival wins including three straight in the prestigious Champion Hurdle.

Swan was full of praise for Constitution Hill and contends that the horse is now up amongst the all-time greats.

Constitution Hill A Once In A Generation Horse

I’m glad ‘once in a generation’ Constitution Hill wasn’t around in Istabraq’s day, he could be the GOAT

Swan was at the Cheltenham Festival to witness the victory of Constitution Hill:

“I was at Cheltenham yesterday. Constitution Hill was very good wasn’t he! I am just glad he wasn’t around when Istabraq was around.

“It was never in doubt. He settled well, showed speed and jumped well. He was just brilliant, amazing. State Man is no slouch.

“I said before, he looked unbeatable with the way he won the Supreme last year when he took so much off the track record.  He justified all the superlatives and that was only his sixth race.

“Yes, I’d have loved to have ridden Constitution Hill, most definitely. He’s a one-off, a once in a generation horse.  He reminds me of Istabraq in the way that he jumps, very economical and gets away very quickly from his hurdles.

“Should he, will he go chasing? It’s hard to know. Racing would love to see it happen alright but he’s so good over hurdles, you are always afraid that it might not work. He could easily win three or four Champion Hurdles and write his name into the record books.

“Istabraq won three and could well have had a fourth but for foot and mouth (in 2001).

Honeysuckle’s Signs Off With A Win

The iconic Honeysuckle returned to Cheltenham for one last ride in what was an eagerly awaited moment at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival on day one. With Rachael Blackmore on the saddle, the two time Champion Hurdle winning duo combined again for one last ride around the Cheltenham course.

The fairytale ending became a reality as Honeysuckle and Blackmore stormed home for a one-and-a-half length victory in the Mares Hurdle. It made for four successive wins at the festival and was the curtain call on a fantastic career.

Swan celebrated Honeysuckle’s moment, “It was a great day all round and so good to see Honeysuckle win the Mares’ given what Henry has been through.”

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