# Galopin Des Champs

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French-bred Thoroughbred National Hunt racehorse

Galopin Des Champs 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 Major wins Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (2021) Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (2021) Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase (2022) Boylesports Gold Cup (2022) John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (2022) Irish Gold Cup (2023, 2024, 2025) Punchestown Gold Cup (2025) Cheltenham Gold Cup (2023, 2024) Savills Chase (2023, 2024) Timeform rating: 181 Last updated on 30 April 2025

**Galopin Des Champs** (foaled 12 May 2016) is a French-bred, Irish-trained [thoroughbred racehorse](/source/Thoroughbred_racehorse) who competes in National Hunt racing. Trained by [Willie Mullins](/source/Willie_Mullins) and ridden by [Paul Townend](/source/Paul_Townend), he won the 2023 and 2024 [Cheltenham Gold Cup](/source/Cheltenham_Gold_Cup) and the 2023, 2024 and 2025 [Irish Gold Cup](/source/Irish_Gold_Cup).

## Background

Galopin Des Champs is a black gelding who was bred in [France](/source/France) by Hubert Bunel, under the nom de plume of G A E C Des Champs.[1] 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](/source/France) at [Auteuil](/source/Auteuil_Hippodrome) before he was sold to Mrs Audrey Turley in November 2020 and was transferred to the yard of [Willie Mullins](/source/Willie_Mullins) in [Ireland](/source/Ireland), to be looked after by groom Adam Connolly.[2][3][4] His first win for Mullins came in the [Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle](/source/Martin_Pipe_Conditional_Jockeys'_Handicap_Hurdle) at the [Cheltenham Festival](/source/Cheltenham_Festival) on 19 March 2021, which was followed with a victory in the [Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle](/source/Irish_Mirror_Novice_Hurdle) at [Punchestown](/source/Punchestown_Racecourse) on 28 April 2021.[5][6]

### 2021/22 season

In his second season, Galopin Des Champs won the [Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase](/source/Dr_P._J._Moriarty_Novice_Chase) at [Leopardstown](/source/Leopardstown_Racecourse) on 6 February 2022, but fell at the final fence while leading in the [Golden Miller Novices' Chase](/source/Golden_Miller_Novices'_Chase) at the Cheltenham Festival on 17 March 2022, handing victory to Bob Olinger.[7][3] He finished the season with a victory in the [Boylesports Gold Cup](/source/Boylesports_Gold_Cup) at [Fairyhouse](/source/Fairyhouse_Racecourse) on 17 April 2022.[8]

### 2022/23 season

Galopin Des Champs began the season with a win in the [John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase](/source/John_Durkan_Memorial_Punchestown_Chase) on 19 December 2022 and won the [Irish Gold Cup](/source/Irish_Gold_Cup) on 4 February 2023, successfully adapting to a step up in trip.[9][10] His next race was the [2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup](/source/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.[11] His final race of the season was the [Punchestown Gold Cup](/source/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.[12]

### 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.[13] A month later he won the [Savills Chase](/source/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.[14]

On 15 March 2024, Galopin Des Champs defended the [Cheltenham Gold Cup](/source/2024_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](/source/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".[15] Galopin des Champs' final outing of the season was the [Punchestown Gold Cup](/source/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.[16]

### 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.[17]

On 2 December 2024, Galopin Des Champs beat a strong field that included [City of Troy](/source/City_of_Troy_(horse)) and [Kyprios](/source/Kyprios_(horse)) to be crowned horse of the year at the [Horse Racing Ireland](/source/Horse_Racing_Ireland) awards.[18]

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".[19] At the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, Galopin Des Champs attempted to emulate [Arkle](/source/Arkle) and [Best Mate](/source/Best_Mate) by winning a third Gold Cup, but was beaten six lengths into second place by [Inothewayurthinkin](/source/Inothewayurthinkin).[4][20] 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".[20][21]

### 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[20] 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.[22]

## Pedigree

Pedigree of Galopin des Champs (FR), black gelding, 2016 Sire Timos (GER) 2005 Sholokhov (IRE) 1999 Sadler's Wells (USA) Northern Dancer (CAN) Fairy Bridge La Meilleure Lord Gayle (USA) Gradille Triclaria (GER) 1991 Surumu Literat Surama Tiputip Nebos Tricky Flash Dam Manon des Champs (FR) 2000 Marchand de Sable (USA) 1990 Theatrical (IRE) Nureyev (USA) Tree of Knowledge Mercantile (FR) Kenmare Mercuriale Bianca des Champs (FR) 1989 Mont Rouge Shirley Heights (GB) Scarlet Woman (GB) Carvelle Carvin Baldarella (Family 1-w)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Thomas, James (26 March 2023). ["'I experience Galopin Des Champs' races as if he still belongs to me' - the remarkable origin story of the Gold Cup hero"](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/). *Racing Post*. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Full Result 12.25 Auteuil (FR)"](https://www.racingpost.com/results/205/auteuil/2020-05-17/757679). *Racing Post*. 17 May 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FRBC_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FRBC_3-1) ["The one that got away"](https://www.frbc.fr/2022/03/18/the-one-that-got-away/). *French Racing & Breeding Committee*. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BBC_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BBC_4-1) ["Best Mullins horse ever? Galopin Des Champs eyes Gold Cup treble"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/articles/cyve56v7nj7o). *BBC Sport*. 13 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Full Result 4.50 Cheltenham - Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)"](https://www.racingpost.com/results/11/cheltenham/2021-03-19/777671). *Racing Post*. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Full Result 5.20 Punchestown - Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)"](https://www.racingpost.com/results/195/punchestown/2021-04-28/782335). *Racing Post*. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Full Result 1.20 Leopardstown (IRE) - Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1)"](https://www.racingpost.com/results/187/leopardstown/2022-02-06/802868). *Racing Post*. 6 February 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Full Result 4.55 Fairyhouse (IRE) - BoyleSports Gold Cup Novice Chase (Grade 1)"](https://www.racingpost.com/results/182/fairyhouse/2022-04-17/808184). *Racing Post*. 17 April 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Full Result - 2.10 Punchestown (IRE) - John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)"](https://www.racingpost.com/results/195/punchestown/2022-12-19/829019). *Racing Post*. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Wood, Greg (4 February 2023). ["Galopin Des Champs claims Irish Gold Cup and heads to Cheltenham on high"](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/feb/04/galopin-des-champs-claims-irish-gold-cup-to-head-to-cheltenham-on-a-high). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Wood, Greg (17 March 2023). ["Galopin Des Champs lives up to lofty goals with Cheltenham Gold Cup victory"](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/17/galopin-des-champs-gains-redemption-in-the-cheltenham-gold-cup-horse-racing). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Full Result - 5.55 Punchestown (IRE) - Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1)"](https://www.racingpost.com/results/195/punchestown/2023-04-26/837695). *Racing Post*. 26 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Full Result - 2.30 Punchestown (IRE) - John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)"](https://www.racingpost.com/results/195/punchestown/2023-11-26/853871). *Racing Post*. 26 November 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Irish Gold Cup: Galopin Des Champs success completes Willie Mullins Grade One four-timer"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/68193064). *BBC Sport*. 3 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Cheltenham Gold Cup 2024: Galopin Des Champs wins again for Willie Mullins"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/68536701). *BBC Sport*. 15 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Full Result - 5.25 Punchestown (IRE) - Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1)"](https://www.racingpost.com/results/195/punchestown/2024-05-01/865996). *Racing Post*. 1 May 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Full Result - 2.25 Punchestown (IRE) - John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)"](https://www.racingpost.com/results/195/punchestown/2024-11-24/882287). *Racing Post*. 24 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Galopin Des Champs gets the better of City Of Troy to be crowned Ireland's horse of the year"](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/). *Racing Post*. 2 December 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["'Ole, ole, ole' - Crowd hail Galopin Des Champs treble"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/articles/c3e1014npzqo). *BBC Sport*. 1 February 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RP_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RP_20-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-RP_20-2) ["Galopin Des Champs"](https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/3094245/galopin-des-champs/form). *Racing Post*. Retrieved 30 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Galopin Des Champs wins first Punchestown Gold Cup"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/articles/cq5w6y2ne5vo). *BBC Sport*. 30 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Galopin Des Champs ruled out of bid for third Gold Cup; bookies respond by making Gaelic Warrior favourite"](https://www.racingpost.com/news/festivals/cheltenham-festival/galopin-des-champs-ruled-out-of-bid-for-third-cheltenham-gold-cup-auL4P6r5WadV/). *Racing Post*. 6 March 2026.

## External links

- [\[1\]](https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/3094245/galopin-des-champs/form) – *Galopin Des Champs Race Form*

v t e Cheltenham Gold Cup winners 1924 Red Splash 1925 Ballinode 1926 Koko 1927 Thrown In 1928 Patron Saint 1929 Easter Hero 1930 Easter Hero 1931 no race 1932 Golden Miller 1933 Golden Miller 1934 Golden Miller 1935 Golden Miller 1936 Golden Miller 1937 no race 1938 Morse Code 1939 Brendan's Cottage 1940 Roman Hackle 1941 Poet Prince 1942 Medoc II 1943 no race 1944 no race 1945 Red Rower 1946 Prince Regent 1947 Fortina 1948 Cottage Rake 1949 Cottage Rake 1950 Cottage Rake 1951 Silver Fame 1952 Mont Tremblant 1953 Knock Hard 1954 Four Ten 1955 Gay Donald 1956 Limber Hill 1957 Linwell 1958 Kerstin 1959 Roddy Owen 1960 Pas Seul 1961 Saffron Tartan 1962 Mandarin 1963 Mill House 1964 Arkle 1965 Arkle 1966 Arkle 1967 Woodland Venture 1968 Fort Leney 1969 What a Myth 1970 L'Escargot 1971 L'Escargot 1972 Glencaraig Lady 1973 The Dikler 1974 Captain Christy 1975 Ten Up 1976 Royal Frolic 1977 Davy Lad 1978 Midnight Court 1979 Alverton 1980 Master Smudge 1981 Little Owl 1982 Silver Buck 1983 Bregawn 1984 Burrough Hill Lad 1985 Forgive 'n Forget 1986 Dawn Run 1987 The Thinker 1988 Charter Party 1989 Desert Orchid 1990 Norton's Coin 1991 Garrison Savannah 1992 Cool Ground 1993 Jodami 1994 The Fellow 1995 Master Oats 1996 Imperial Call 1997 Mr Mulligan 1998 Cool Dawn 1999 See More Business 2000 Looks Like Trouble 2001 no race 2002 Best Mate 2003 Best Mate 2004 Best Mate 2005 Kicking King 2006 War Of Attrition 2007 Kauto Star 2008 Denman 2009 Kauto Star 2010 Imperial Commander 2011 Long Run 2012 Synchronised 2013 Bobs Worth 2014 Lord Windermere 2015 Coneygree 2016 Don Cossack 2017 Sizing John 2018 Native River 2019 Al Boum Photo 2020 Al Boum Photo 2021 Minella Indo 2022 A Plus Tard 2023 Galopin Des Champs 2024 Galopin Des Champs 2025 Inothewayurthinkin 2026 Gaelic Warrior

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Galopin Des Champs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galopin_Des_Champs) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galopin_Des_Champs?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.