Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner retires after £2m prize money haul

Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs has been retired from racing.

The Willie Mullins trained horse won back-to-back titles at Cheltenham Festival’s showpiece event in 2023 and 2024.

Getty

Galopin finished second behind Inothewayurthinkin in 2025 as he agonisingly missed out on the hat-trick.

He was an absentee at the 2026 Festival and there will be no third Gold Cup to his name.

The ten-year-old, owned by Audrey Turley, won a total of 12 Grade 1s in a stellar career.

Mullins told the Sporting Life: “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.” 

Galopin Des Champs bows out having earned nearly £2million in prize money. 

He was last seen finishing third in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase at Leopardstown in February. 

2026 Cheltenham Festival absence

Mullins still won the prestigious Gold Cup this year with Gaelic Warrior, but Galopin Des Champs’ absence was keenly felt.

“We were dealt a big blow with Galopin Des Champs coming out,” jockey Paul Townend said after the race.

“I was lucky enough for this lad to come along.”

Mullins added: “He was one of the easiest horses that we ever had in training here in Closutton.

Getty

“He never missed a feed, and he was great to rest himself. He seldom missed a day’s training.

“His soundness helped him achieve the incredible things he did on the track, the highlights being those two Cheltenham Gold Cup victories and three Irish Gold Cups.

“He had a great personality and was very friendly as he showed at our parades in Leighlinbridge when he had time for people of all ages.

“He was very kind and gentle, especially with children and people with disabilities.”