Former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs Retires

The start of the new jumps season might be on the horizon, but hedge-hopping fans won’t be seeing the former two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in 2026/27 – as Willie Mullins has announced his powerhouse staying chaser Galopin Des Champs is to be retired.

Owned by Audrey Turley, Galopin Des Champs bows out having won 12 Grade 1 races – that climaxed with the 2023 and 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cups.

On announcing Galopin Des Champ’s retirement, Willie Mullins said.

“We took a collective decision to retire Galopin Des Champs at his age because we felt he could not do himself justice at the level he was used to. He retires a good, sound horse who will hopefully have a good second career as a sport horse.” Willie Mullins told the Sporting Life:

Former champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy said:

“He was a good horse. To win two Gold Cups, he was brilliantly trained. He would’ve won a fourth time at the festival had he not fell at the last in the Turners, but he was a very good, staying Gold Cup horse.

“He also put some brilliant performances in around Leopardstown, and he was brilliantly ridden. You’d normally say these horses would be very hard to replace, but when you look at where he’s coming from, there might be a few more like him.”

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Galopin Des Champ Retires Aged 10

When the story of National Hunt racing in the 2020s is told, few names will shine as brightly as Galopin Des Champs.

The dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner has officially been retired by trainer Willie Mullins at the age of 10.

Leaving behind a record defined by a devastating turn of foot, boundless stamina and remarkable consistency, Galopin Des Champs bows out as an indisputable titan of modern steeplechasing.

The Crown Jewels: His Finest Hours

Galopin Des Champs’ career was forged in the biggest races and under the greatest pressure, but his defining moments came on the steepest hills.

The First Gold Cup – March 2023

Galopin Des Champs faced Bravemansgame in a relentless battle for the Cheltenham Gold Cup before powering away from a top-class field up the famous Cheltenham hill.

His explosive finishing speed proved decisive, showcasing the tactical gears and stamina required to conquer the biggest prize in jump racing.

Back-to-Back Glory – March 2024

He returned to the Cotswolds 12 months later in gruelling conditions with history in his sights.

Ridden patiently by Paul Townend, Galopin Des Champs produced another devastating finish, storming clear after the second-last fence to beat Gerri Colombe by three and a half lengths and become a rare back-to-back Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.

The Savills Chase Masterclass – December 2023

Before defending his Gold Cup crown, Galopin Des Champs produced one of the most dominant performances of his career at Leopardstown.

He dismantled a Grade 1 field in the Savills Chase, powering home to win by an extraordinary 23 lengths.

Galopin Des Champs – Career by the Numbers 🤎💛

• Age at retirement: 10
• Total career record: 26 starts | 15 wins | 4 seconds | 4 thirds
• Total prize money: £1,961,010, taking him close to the £2 million mark
• First career victory: Prix Hurlevent at Auteuil, France – May 17, 2020
• First major Irish victory: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival
• Final race: Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown – February 2026, where he finished third
• The 12 Grade 1 Victories

ALSO SEE: Andy Newton’s Daily Horse Racing tips and cheat sheet – including NAP, Each-Way picks, Lay Of The Day and Daily Stats.

Galopin Des Champs Notched 12 Grade 1 Wins

Over an illustrious career, Galopin Des Champs amassed an astonishing 12 Grade 1 victories for owner Mrs Audrey Turley.

• Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle – Punchestown, 2021
• Ladbrokes Novice Chase – Leopardstown, 2022
• BoyleSports Gold Cup Novice Chase – Fairyhouse, 2022
• John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase – Punchestown, 2022
• Irish Gold Cup – Leopardstown, 2023
• Cheltenham Gold Cup – Cheltenham, 2023
• Savills Chase – Leopardstown, 2023
• Irish Gold Cup – Leopardstown, 2024
• Cheltenham Gold Cup – Cheltenham, 2024
• John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase – Punchestown, 2024
• Irish Gold Cup – Leopardstown, 2025
• Punchestown Gold Cup – Punchestown, 2025

Galopin Des Champs bows out fully sound and ready to enjoy a second career as a sport horse, leaving racing fans with memories of one of the outstanding chasers of the century.

From his early days over fences to his domination of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. His career has been packed with drama, brilliance and unforgettable victories.

Watch Galopin Des Champs’ dramatic fall in the 2022 Turners Novices’ Chase to revisit one of the early, unforgettable moments in his steeplechasing career, before he went on to establish himself as a Gold Cup great.

He was last seen running 3rd in the Irish Gold Cup at the DRF at Leopardstown on February 2nd. Which has turned out to be his last time on the track (watch below).