Owner Audrey Turley offered a moving tribute to Galopin Des Champs after the celebrated chaser’s retirement was officially announced on Thursday. The ten‑year‑old gelding, trained by Willie Mullins, will be remembered as one of the most beloved National Hunt horses of the modern era, having amassed an impressive record of twelve Grade One victories.
Among those triumphs are consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup wins in 2023 and 2024, and a remarkable three‑peat in the Irish Gold Cup from 2023 through 2025. Galopin Des Champs’ final race came in February when he finished third while attempting a fourth Irish Gold Cup title. That performance turned out to be his swan song, as a subsequent setback forced his connections to withdraw him from a planned sixth appearance at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Over the course of his career, the black gelding contested 26 starts and emerged victorious in 15 of them, a strike‑rate that underscores his consistency at the highest level. Turley, who co‑owns the horse with her husband Greg, reflected on the extraordinary journey they shared.
"We've had the best time of our lives, we really have," she told the Press Association. "We never imagined it would happen to us. It's been an absolutely wonderful experience." When pressed to name a single moment that stood out above the rest, Turley found it difficult to choose.
"Three Irish Gold Cups and the two at Cheltenham – it’s hard to pick just one. Every win felt like a magical surprise, simply magnificent," she said.
She later added, "If I had to single out a day, perhaps the first Cheltenham Gold Cup – that was something out of a dream, the joy it brought was indescribable." She also recalled the electric atmosphere at Leopardstown when Galopin Des Champs secured his third Irish Gold Cup. "The crowd was chanting ‘ole, ole, ole’, and it sent a shiver down our spines. It was a moment that will stay with us forever," Turley remembered. Fans have continued to express their affection for the horse across social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, with many posting messages like, "We miss him, we miss him." Turley noted, "He was loved by everyone, and he deserved that love.
He was a wonderful, unassuming character who seemed to enjoy every minute of his career." Looking ahead, Turley revealed that Galopin Des Champs may embark on a second career in the equestrian world. "He’s now with Ruby Walsh’s family, and his daughter Isabelle will see how he adapts to that arena. They’ll retrain him and see what happens.
If he likes it, great; if not, we’ll find another path. It’s all about what he wants," she explained. At eleven years old next year, the former champion remains in excellent physical condition, making a transition to a new discipline plausible. While the Turleys will no longer see Galopin Des Champs wearing their yellow and brown silks, they remain optimistic about the future of their stable.
They point to King Rasko Grey, the horse that delivered another Cheltenham Festival victory in last season’s Turners Novices’ Hurdle, as a promising prospect. "King Rasko Grey has just returned from the summer and looks fantastic. He performed brilliantly at Cheltenham and has big shoes to fill, but we’ll enjoy whatever comes next," Turley said. "We’ll never have another Galopin – he was a one‑of‑a‑kind diamond." The retirement of Galopin Des Champs marks the end of an era for National Hunt racing, but his legacy endures through his record‑breaking achievements, the affection of his fans, and the potential new chapter awaiting him in the broader equestrian sphere.
As the sport looks forward, owners, trainers, and enthusiasts alike will remember the gallant gelding’s contributions and hope that his next adventure brings him as much happiness as his illustrious racing career did.