Champion horse Galopin Des Champs dies aged 10, less than a week after retirement
Champion racehorse Galopin Des Champs has been euthanized following a severe, unrepairable leg injury sustained in his field. The 10-year-old gelding had recently retired after a highly successful career, including two Cheltenham Gold Cup wins.
Why it matters
The death of a high-profile sports animal often triggers public discourse regarding animal welfare in professional racing.
A feelgood racing story has turned bitter with confirmation that the dual- Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs had to be euthanised on Tuesday, less than a week after being retired.
The Willie Mullins-trained star, perhaps the best staying steeplechaser since Kauto Star, died from injuries sustained in an accident in his field on Tuesday morning.
Owned by Greg and Audrey Turley, ‘Galopin’ received many plaudits last week when it was announced that time had been called on stellar racing career.
Despite still being a relatively young 10-year-old, the hugely popular gelding was retired by connections who felt that he would struggle to recapture the best form of his pomp when winning steeplechasing’s ‘Blue Riband’ back-to-back in 2023-24. Only Inothewayurthinkin prevented a hat-trick in 2025.
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