Galopin Des Champs, one of the finest staying chasers of the modern era, has died at the age of ten after sustaining a fatal injury in a field on Tuesday morning.
The devastating news comes merely five days after trainer Willie Mullins confirmed the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero would not race again.
Mullins had explained the decision to retire the gelding, stating: “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.”
Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs has tragically died at the age of 10
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That second career was never to materialise.
Ruby Walsh, the former champion jockey who had taken the horse into his care, delivered the heartbreaking news on Tuesday evening. In a statement to Racing TV, Walsh said: “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.”
The ten-year-old had to be euthanised as a result.
Throughout his outstanding career, the gelding amassed 12 Grade 1 victories, cementing his status among the sport’s greats. His crowning achievements were consecutive triumphs in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2023 and 2024, while he also claimed three Irish Gold Cups at Leopardstown.
In March 2025, he bid for a place among the elite trio of horses to win three Gold Cups but was denied by Inothewayurthinkin, finishing as runner-up.
Galopin Des Champs won the Gold Cup in 2023 and 2024, while he also claimed three Irish Gold Cups at Leopardstown
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An injury setback meant he missed this year’s renewal entirely, and his final racecourse appearance came at Leopardstown in February, where he finished a disappointing third behind stablemate Fact To File in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup.
Walsh’s tribute extended beyond the horse itself to those closest to him throughout his career. He said: “He was a fabulous horse whose short time with us has left lots of broken hearts, but none more so than those of Greg, Audrey and Sarah Turley, and Adam Connolly, who looked after him for so long. He will be sadly missed.”
Owners Greg and Audrey Turley had entrusted the gelding to Walsh’s family following his retirement from racing.
Walsh’s daughter Isabelle had been due to retrain the horse for a career in eventing, a plan that has now been cut tragically short.
