Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs dies after sustaining field injury

Galopin Des Champs, the two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, died on Tuesday after suffering an injury in his field, Ruby Walsh told RacingTV.

The 10-year-old enjoyed a prolific career, winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2023 and 2024 and claiming three Irish Gold Cups, two Savills Chases and a Punchestown Gold Cup; he won 12 races at Grade One level.

Walsh, speaking to RacingTV, said: "Sadly Galopin Des Champs suffered an injury in his field this morning and could not be saved."

Walsh added: "He was checked a few times throughout the morning, but late in the morning when I went to get him for exercise I found him with a severe injury, high up on his near front leg. He was attended to by our vets immediately, but X-rays revealed extensive unrepairable damage."

On the horse's character and the impact of his loss Walsh said: "He was a fabulous racehorse whose short time with us has left lots of broken hearts but none more so than those of Greg, Audrey and Sarah Turley, and Adam Connolly, who looked after him for so long. He will be sadly missed."

Galopin Des Champs had been retired from racing by trainer Willie Mullins last week; Mullins said the decision was because "he could not do himself justice at the level he was used to."