Galopin Des Champs tragedy as dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero dies five days after retirement

Galopin Des Champs, the legendary dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, has died five days after retiring from competition following a serious injury sustained in a field. The 10-year-old horse, known for his remarkable achievements in the world of jump racing, passed away under tragic circumstances, marking the end of a distinguished career. Galopin Des Champs, trained by Willie Mullins, claimed victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in both 2023 and 2024, becoming one of the standout performers of recent years. His success extended beyond the Gold Cup, as he secured 12 wins at Grade 1 level. In 2025, he narrowly missed the chance to become a three-time Gold Cup winner, finishing second to Inothewayurthinkin. After sustaining an injury setback, he was unable to compete in the 2026 edition of the race. His final race came at Leopardstown in February, where he placed third in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup behind his stablemate Fact To File. Willie Mullins made the difficult decision to retire Galopin Des Champs, stating that the horse was no longer able to perform at the level he once did. “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,” Mullins explained. “He retires a good, sound horse who will hopefully have a good second career as a sport horse.” Following his retirement, Galopin Des Champs was set to begin his new chapter with former stable jockey Ruby Walsh, who had plans to retrain the horse. However, the plan was abruptly ended when Walsh received devastating news. On Tuesday, he informed the team that Galopin Des Champs had suffered a severe injury during the early hours of the day. In a heartfelt statement, Walsh described the incident: “Sadly, Galopin Des Champs suffered an injury in his field this morning and could not be saved. He was checked a few times throughout the morning, but late in the morning when I went to get him for exercise, I found him with a severe injury, high up on his near front leg. He was attended to by our vets immediately, but X-rays revealed extensive, unrepairable damage.” Walsh expressed deep sorrow over the loss, emphasizing the emotional impact on those who cared for the horse. “He was a fabulous horse whose short time with us has left lots of broken hearts, but none more so than those of Grey, Audrey and Sarah Turley, and Adam Connolly, who looked after him for so long. He will be sadly missed.” Galopin Des Champs’ passing serves as a somber reminder of the risks inherent in the sport of horse racing. His legacy, however, remains firmly etched in the history of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the broader jumping community. As the racing world mourns the loss of such a celebrated athlete, the focus shifts to honoring his contributions and the bond shared between man and horse.