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Galopin Des Champs

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Galopin Des Champs
Racing silks of Mrs Audrey Turley
SireTimos
GrandsireSholokhov (IRE)
DamManon Des Champs (FR)
DamsireMarchand De Sable (USA)
SexGelding
Foaled12 May 2016
ColourBlack
BreederG A E C Des Champs
OwnerMrs Audrey Turley
TrainerWillie Mullins
Record19: 12-3-1
Earnings£1,427,470
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)
Cheltenham Gold Cup (2023, 2024)
Savills Chase (2023)
Timeform rating: 181
Last updated on 16 March 2024

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.

Background

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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.[1] He was sired by Timos and his dam is Manon Des Champs.

Racing career

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2020/21 season

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On 17 May 2020, Galopin Des Champs won on debut in his native France at Auteuil before he was sold to Mrs Audrey Turley in November 2020 and was transferred to the yard of Willie Mullins in Ireland.[2][3] 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 on 28 April 2021.[4][5]

2021/22 season

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In his second season, Galopin Des Champs won the Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase at 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.[6][3] He finished the season with a victory in the Boylesports Gold Cup at Fairyhouse on 17 April 2022.[7]

2022/23 season

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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.[8][9] 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.[10] 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.[11]

2023/24 season

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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.[12] 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.[13]

Pedigree

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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

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  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". Racing Post. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Full Result 12.25 Auteuil (FR)". Racing Post. 17 May 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b "The one that got away". French Racing & Breeding Committee. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Full Result 4.50 Cheltenham - Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)". Racing Post. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Full Result 5.20 Punchestown - Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)". Racing Post. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Full Result 1.20 Leopardstown (IRE) - Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1)". Racing Post. 6 February 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Full Result 4.55 Fairyhouse (IRE) - BoyleSports Gold Cup Novice Chase (Grade 1)". Racing Post. 17 April 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Full Result - 2.10 Punchestown (IRE) - John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)". Racing Post. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  9. ^ Wood, Greg (4 February 2023). "Galopin Des Champs claims Irish Gold Cup and heads to Cheltenham on high". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  10. ^ Wood, Greg (17 March 2023). "Galopin Des Champs lives up to lofty goals with Cheltenham Gold Cup victory". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Full Result - 5.55 Punchestown (IRE) - Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1)". Racing Post. 26 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Full Result - 2.30 Punchestown (IRE) - John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)". Racing Post. 26 November 2023.
  13. ^ "Irish Gold Cup: Galopin Des Champs success completes Willie Mullins Grade One four-timer". BBC Sport. 3 February 2024.
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  • [1]Galopin Des Champs Race Form