FEATURE JAYDON LEE
When Constitution Hill crossed the line in last season’s Unibet Champion Hurdle to cement his place as one of Jump racing’s modern- day greats, it was a victory celebrated by many, but according to the man who knows him better than anyone, the best is still yet to come, as he tells Graham Clark … KING OF THE HILL
I t is the dream of every groom involved in Jump racing to lead their pride and joy back into the hallowed winner’s enclosure following a championship race at the Cheltenham Festival. However, it is an experience only a select few will go on to enjoy throughout their career. Since joining trainer Nicky Henderson just over four years ago, Jaydon Lee has received the pleasure in that time of not only looking after multiple Grade One winner Shishkin, but now the undoubted star of Jump racing that is Constitution Hill. The six-year-old is undefeated in all of his seven starts under Rules – with six of his victories coming at Grade One level.
And while March 14 2023 is a day that Lee, who 12 months earlier had celebrated Constitution Hill winning the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival, insists he will never forget, as he was nearly denied his moment of a lifetime following a case of mistaken identity. Lee says: “You just do anything in that moment. You shout, you punch the air. It is just pure emotion. I ran up the chute with him, although I got stopped by security halfway up, as they thought I was a racegoer, but I eventually went all the way up there. “It was more special than when he won the Supreme, as since he has won that, the racing world has grown more towards him. “I’ve never seen so many people taking so many photos. Walking down, you would have people reaching over, shaking your hand and saying, “Well done.” It was class and it is a day I will never forget, that is for sure. “I’m as excited as anyone this season. Whatever way he does go, you know he is the horse you have got to look forward to. I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet. If there is a horse that can give him a race, he will just be even better. The better the opposition, the better he will be. I’ve never seen a horse like him before. To see what he does on the gallops every day, especially on work mornings, you just dream and want to see the full ability he has got, and I don’t think we have seen it yet.” Receiving plenty of attention is nothing new to Lee following his journey with Shishkin. However, the
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