Owner Audrey Turley offered a moving homage to Galopin Des Champs after the celebrated chaser’s retirement was officially confirmed on Thursday. The ten‑year‑old gelding, trained by the renowned Willie Mullins stable, will be remembered as one of the most beloved National Hunt athletes of the modern era.
Over his career he amassed an impressive tally of twelve Grade One victories, highlighted by consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphs in 2023 and 2024, as well as a remarkable three‑peat in the Irish Gold Cup spanning 2023, 2024 and 2025. Galopin Des Champs’ final race came in February when he attempted a fourth Irish Gold Cup win but was beaten into third place. That outing turned out to be his last, as a subsequent setback forced him out of what would have been his sixth appearance at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
In total, the black gelding recorded fifteen wins from twenty‑six starts, a record that will endure in the memories of his connections and fans alike. Turley, who co‑owns the horse with her husband Greg, reflected on the extraordinary journey they have shared. "We've had the best time of our lives, we really have," she told the Press Association.
"We never imagined we would be blessed with a horse of this calibre. The experience has been nothing short of wonderful." When pressed to identify a single standout moment, Turley found it impossible to choose just one. "Three Irish Gold Cups and the two at Cheltenham – it's hard to pick out one. Every victory felt like a stunning surprise, a truly magnificent occasion," she said.
She later added, "If I had to name a day, perhaps the first Cheltenham Gold Cup – that was extraordinary, like something out of a dream, the sheer joy it brought. The other unforgettable moment was at Leopardstown when he secured his third Irish Gold Cup; the crowd erupted, chanting 'ole, ole, ole,' and it sent shivers down our spines." The affection for Galopin Des Champs extends far beyond the racecourse.
Turley noted the ongoing outpouring of love on social media: "People love him and we still have people coming up on Instagram and TikTok saying, 'we miss him, we miss him.' He was so well loved and deserved to be loved; he was simply wonderful. Everybody took to him, and he was an unassuming character, but he clearly enjoyed every minute of it." Looking ahead, Turley revealed that the retired champion may embark on a second career within the equestrian world. "He's actually gone over to Ruby Walsh's family, and his daughter Isabelle will see what he does in that arena. They'll retrain him and see what happens.
If he likes it, he'll continue; if not, we’ll have another plan. It's all about him and what he wants to do," she explained.
At eleven years old next year, Galopin Des Champs remains in excellent physical condition, making a transition to a new discipline feasible. Although the Turley colours – yellow and brown silks – will no longer be seen on Galopin Des Champs, the owners have promising prospects on the horizon. One such horse is King Rasko Grey, who delivered another Cheltenham Festival victory in last season’s Turners Novices’ Hurdle.
"King Rasko Grey has just come back from the summer and is looking fantastic, so we have high hopes for him," Turley said. "He performed brilliantly at Cheltenham and shows great potential. He has big boots to fill, but we know we’ll never replace Galopin – he was a one‑of‑a‑kind diamond. We’ll enjoy whatever the future brings." The retirement of Galopin Des Champs marks the end of an era for the Turley family and for National Hunt racing fans worldwide.
His record of twelve Grade One wins, including back‑to‑back Gold Cups at Cheltenham and a three‑year Irish Gold Cup streak, sets a benchmark that will be challenging to match. Yet his legacy lives on not only in the statistics but in the emotional connection he forged with supporters, the excitement he generated at every race, and the inspiration he provides to future generations of owners, trainers, and jockeys. As the racing community bids farewell to this extraordinary athlete, the conversation now turns to how best to honour his contributions. Plans may include commemorative events, charitable initiatives in his name, or perhaps a special tribute at future festivals.
Whatever form it takes, the spirit of Galopin Des Champs – his tenacity, elegance, and undeniable charisma – will continue to echo across the sport. For those who followed his career, the memories are vivid: the thunderous roar of the crowd at Cheltenham, the jubilant chants at Leopardstown, the quiet moments of preparation in the stables, and the shared sense of wonder when a horse of his calibre defied expectations.
As Turley and Greg look forward to new chapters with their remaining horses, they do so with the knowledge that Galopin Des Champs has set a lofty standard of excellence and affection that will forever shape their approach to the sport. In the broader context of horse racing, Galopin Des Champs’ story underscores the deep bond between humans and their equine partners, illustrating how a horse can capture the imagination of a global audience. His retirement is not merely the conclusion of a racing career; it is a celebration of a remarkable partnership that has left an indelible mark on the tapestry of National Hunt history.