{{Short description|French-bred Thoroughbred National Hunt racehorse}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=March 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox racehorse | horsename = Galopin Des Champs | image_name = [[File:Owner_Mrs_Audrey_Turley.svg|120px]] | caption = Racing silks of Mrs Audrey Turley | sire = Timos | grandsire = Sholokhov (IRE) | dam = Manon Des Champs (FR) | damsire = Marchand De Sable (USA) | sex = Gelding | foaled = 12 May 2016 | colour = Black | breeder = G A E C Des Champs | owner = Mrs Audrey Turley | trainer = [[Willie Mullins]] | record = 26: 15-4-4 | earnings = £1,961,010 | race = [[Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle]] (2021)<br>[[Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle]] (2021)<br> [[Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase]] (2022) <br>[[Boylesports Gold Cup]] (2022)<br>[[John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase]] (2022)<br> [[Irish Gold Cup]] (2023, 2024, 2025)<br>[[Punchestown Gold Cup]] (2025) <br> [[Cheltenham Gold Cup]] (2023, 2024)<br>[[Savills Chase]] (2023, 2024)<br>Timeform rating: 181 |awards = |honours = |updated= 30 April 2025 }} '''Galopin Des Champs''' (foaled 12 May 2016) is a French-bred, Irish-trained [[thoroughbred racehorse]] who competes in National Hunt racing. Trained by [[Willie Mullins]] and ridden by [[Paul Townend]], he won the 2023 and 2024 [[Cheltenham Gold Cup]] and the 2023, 2024 and 2025 [[Irish Gold Cup]].
==Background== Galopin Des Champs is a black gelding who was bred in [[France]] by Hubert Bunel, under the nom de plume of G A E C Des Champs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thomas |first1=James |title='I experience Galopin Des Champs' races as if he still belongs to me' - the remarkable origin story of the Gold Cup hero |url=https://www.racingpost.com/bloodstock/news/i-experience-galopin-des-champs-races-as-if-he-still-belongs-to-me-the-remarkable-origin-story-of-the-gold-cup-hero-aOuwq4M1tiPH/ |access-date=26 March 2023 |work=Racing Post |date=26 March 2023}}</ref> He was sired by Timos and his dam is Manon Des Champs.
==Racing career== ===2020/21 season=== On 17 May 2020, Galopin Des Champs won on debut in his native [[France]] at [[Auteuil Hippodrome|Auteuil]] before he was sold to Mrs Audrey Turley in November 2020 and was transferred to the yard of [[Willie Mullins]] in [[Ireland]], to be looked after by groom Adam Connolly.<ref>{{cite news |title=Full Result 12.25 Auteuil (FR) |url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/205/auteuil/2020-05-17/757679 |access-date=26 March 2023 |work=Racing Post |date=17 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="FRBC">{{cite news |title=The one that got away |url=https://www.frbc.fr/2022/03/18/the-one-that-got-away/ |access-date=26 March 2023 |work=French Racing & Breeding Committee |date=18 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=BBC/> His first win for Mullins came in the [[Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle]] at the [[Cheltenham Festival]] on 19 March 2021, which was followed with a victory in the [[Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle]] at [[Punchestown Racecourse|Punchestown]] on 28 April 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Full Result 4.50 Cheltenham - Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) |url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/11/cheltenham/2021-03-19/777671 |access-date=26 March 2023 |work=Racing Post |date=19 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Full Result 5.20 Punchestown - Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) |url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/195/punchestown/2021-04-28/782335 |access-date=26 March 2023 |work=Racing Post |date=28 April 2021}}</ref>
===2021/22 season=== In his second season, Galopin Des Champs won the [[Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase]] at [[Leopardstown Racecourse|Leopardstown]] on 6 February 2022, but fell at the final fence while leading in the [[Golden Miller Novices' Chase]] at the Cheltenham Festival on 17 March 2022, handing victory to Bob Olinger.<ref>{{cite news |title=Full Result 1.20 Leopardstown (IRE) - Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1) |url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/187/leopardstown/2022-02-06/802868 |access-date=26 March 2023 |work=Racing Post |date=6 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="FRBC"></ref> He finished the season with a victory in the [[Boylesports Gold Cup]] at [[Fairyhouse Racecourse|Fairyhouse]] on 17 April 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Full Result 4.55 Fairyhouse (IRE) - BoyleSports Gold Cup Novice Chase (Grade 1) |url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/182/fairyhouse/2022-04-17/808184 |access-date=26 March 2023 |work=Racing Post |date=17 April 2022}}</ref>
===2022/23 season=== Galopin Des Champs began the season with a win in the [[John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase]] on 19 December 2022 and won the [[Irish Gold Cup]] on 4 February 2023, successfully adapting to a step up in trip.<ref>{{cite news |title=Full Result - 2.10 Punchestown (IRE) - John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1) |url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/195/punchestown/2022-12-19/829019 |access-date=26 March 2023 |work=Racing Post |date=19 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Greg |title=Galopin Des Champs claims Irish Gold Cup and heads to Cheltenham on high |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/feb/04/galopin-des-champs-claims-irish-gold-cup-to-head-to-cheltenham-on-a-high |access-date=26 March 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=4 February 2023}}</ref> His next race was the [[2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup]] on 17 March 2023 in which he started as the 7/5 favourite and went on to win by seven lengths, with Bravemansgame in second place.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Greg |title=Galopin Des Champs lives up to lofty goals with Cheltenham Gold Cup victory |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/17/galopin-des-champs-gains-redemption-in-the-cheltenham-gold-cup-horse-racing |access-date=26 March 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=17 March 2023}}</ref> His final race of the season was the [[Punchestown Gold Cup]], in which he started odds-on favourite and was beaten two and a quarter lengths into second place by 20/1 chance Fastorslow.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/195/punchestown/2023-04-26/837695|title=Full Result - 5.55 Punchestown (IRE) - Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1)|date=26 April 2023|work=Racing Post}}</ref>
===2023/24 season=== On 26 November 2023, Galopin Des Champs attempted a second consecutive victory in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, but was beaten one and three-quarter lengths into third place by Fastorslow and Appreciate It.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/195/punchestown/2023-11-26/853871|title=Full Result - 2.30 Punchestown (IRE) - John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)|date=26 November 2023|work=Racing Post}}</ref> A month later he won the [[Savills Chase]] at Leopardstown by an impressive 23 lengths, before going on to secure back-to-back Irish Gold Cup victories at Leopardstown on 3 February 2024, beating Fastorslow by more than four lengths.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/68193064|title=Irish Gold Cup: Galopin Des Champs success completes Willie Mullins Grade One four-timer|date=3 February 2024|work=BBC Sport}}</ref>
On 15 March 2024, Galopin Des Champs defended the [[2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup|Cheltenham Gold Cup]], starting odds-on favourite in a field of eleven. In spite of having to contend with loose horse Fastorslow, who had unseated his jockey, he went clear before the last fence to beat Gerri Colombe by three-and-a-half lengths, with [[Corach Rambler]] in third place. His trainer said: "I think he just put himself into the superstar category, to do what he did and the way he did it with the loose horse".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/68536701|title=Cheltenham Gold Cup 2024: Galopin Des Champs wins again for Willie Mullins|date=15 March 2024|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Galopin des Champs' final outing of the season was the [[Punchestown Gold Cup]]. Starting odds-on favourite, he was beaten one-and-a-quarter lengths into second place by Fastorslow in a repeat of the previous year's result.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/195/punchestown/2024-05-01/865996|title=Full Result - 5.25 Punchestown (IRE) - Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1)|date=1 May 2024|work=Racing Post}}</ref>
===2024/25 season=== The eight-year-old began his campaign with a third appearance in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, on this occasion being beaten into third place by Fact To File and Spillane's Tower.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/195/punchestown/2024-11-24/882287|title=Full Result - 2.25 Punchestown (IRE) - John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)|date=24 November 2024|work=Racing Post}}</ref>
On 2 December 2024, Galopin Des Champs beat a strong field that included [[City of Troy (horse)|City of Troy]] and [[Kyprios (horse)|Kyprios]] to be crowned horse of the year at the [[Horse Racing Ireland]] awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/ireland/galopin-des-champs-gets-the-better-of-city-of-troy-to-be-crowned-irelands-horse-of-the-year-auFTW7c9SZBm/|title=Galopin Des Champs gets the better of City Of Troy to be crowned Ireland's horse of the year|date=2 December 2024|work=Racing Post}}</ref>
On 28 December 2024, he beat Fact To File to secure a second victory in the Savills Chase. He then won a third consecutive victory in the Irish Gold Cup on 1 February 2025, beating Grangeclare West into second place and Fact To File into third. Mullins said: ""He jumped and galloped for three miles and it didn't look like he was stopping coming up to the winning post. He's just a real champion".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/articles/c3e1014npzqo|title='Ole, ole, ole' - Crowd hail Galopin Des Champs treble|date=1 February 2025|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> At the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, Galopin Des Champs attempted to emulate [[Arkle]] and [[Best Mate]] by winning a third Gold Cup, but was beaten six lengths into second place by [[Inothewayurthinkin]].<ref name=BBC>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/articles/cyve56v7nj7o|title=Best Mullins horse ever? Galopin Des Champs eyes Gold Cup treble|date=13 March 2025|work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref name=RP>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/3094245/galopin-des-champs/form|title=Galopin Des Champs|access-date=30 April 2025|work=Racing Post}}</ref> His next race was the Punchestown Gold Cup, in which he had twice been beaten into second place by Fastorslow. Starting odds-on favourite in a field of four, he made all to win by 22 lengths from Spillane's Tower. His trainer said: "He was back to his best, he was jumping at his ease".<ref name=RP/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/articles/cq5w6y2ne5vo|title=Galopin Des Champs wins first Punchestown Gold Cup|date=30 April 2025|work=BBC Sport}}</ref>
===2025/26 season=== Galopin Des Champs started as odds-on favourite in the Savills Chase on 28 December 2025, but could manage only third place. On 2 February 2026, he came third in the Irish Gold Cup<ref name=RP/> A month later, Mullins said he had suffered a setback in training and would not attempt to regain his crown in the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup or run again in the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/festivals/cheltenham-festival/galopin-des-champs-ruled-out-of-bid-for-third-cheltenham-gold-cup-auL4P6r5WadV/|title=Galopin Des Champs ruled out of bid for third Gold Cup; bookies respond by making Gaelic Warrior favourite|date=6 March 2026|work=Racing Post}}</ref>
==Pedigree== {{Pedigree |name = Galopin des Champs (FR), black gelding, 2016 |inf = |f = Timos (GER)<br />2005 |m = Manon des Champs (FR)<br />2000 |ff = [[Sholokhov (horse)|Sholokhov]] (IRE)<br />1999 |fm = Triclaria (GER)<br />1991 |mf = Marchand de Sable (USA)<br />1990 |mm = Bianca des Champs (FR)<br />1989 |fff =[[Sadler's Wells (horse)|Sadler's Wells]] (USA) |ffm = La Meilleure |fmf = [[Surumu]] |fmm = Tiputip |mff = [[Theatrical (horse)|Theatrical]] (IRE) |mfm = Mercantile (FR) |mmf = Mont Rouge |mmm = Carvelle |ffff = [[Northern Dancer]] (CAN) |fffm = Fairy Bridge |ffmf = Lord Gayle (USA) |ffmm = Gradille |fmff = Literat |fmfm = Surama |fmmf = [[Nebos]] |fmmm = Tricky Flash |mfff = [[Nureyev (horse)|Nureyev]] (USA) |mffm = Tree of Knowledge |mfmf = [[Kenmare (horse)|Kenmare]] |mfmm = Mercuriale |mmff = [[Shirley Heights (horse)|Shirley Heights]] (GB) |mmfm = Scarlet Woman (GB) |mmmf = Carvin |mmmm = Baldarella (Family 1-w) }}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/3094245/galopin-des-champs/form] – ''Galopin Des Champs Race Form''
{{Cheltenham Gold Cup winners}}
[[Category:2016 racehorse births]] [[Category:Cheltenham Festival winners]] [[Category:Racehorses trained in Ireland]] [[Category:National Hunt racehorses]] [[Category:Cheltenham_Gold_Cup_winners]] [[Category:Racehorses bred in France]] [[Category:Thoroughbred family 1-w]]