LEOPARDSTOWN Racecourse officials are looking into ways in which they can recognise the contribution Galopin Des Champs made to Irish racing.

The racing world was saddened to hear this week that the 10-year-old gelding had suffered a fatal injury in a paddock, just days after his retirement from racing had been confirmed.

Paul Dermody, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland Racecourses, said: “We are actively looking at how we might recognise the horse’s achievements and we are very keen to do something. He had some incredible days at Leopardstown.”

Racecourse CEO Mark Clayton added: “Galopin Des Champs raced 10 times at Leopardstown, winning seven races including six at Grade 1 level. It was before my time here, but I believe his final win here, in the 2025 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, almost saw the grandstand roof come off. He had massive support from racegoers and he will go down in racing folklore.”

Galopin Des Champs won 12 Grade 1 races during his career with Willie Mullins - including two Cheltenham Gold Cups.

The horse recently entered a new chapter at the yard of Ruby Walsh, whose daughter Isabelle had planned to retrain Audrey Turley’s pride and joy for eventing.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, Ruby Walsh said: “Sadly, Galopin Des Champs suffered an injury in his field this morning and could not be saved.

“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.

“He was a fabulous horse 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.”

Peoples’ favourite

Galopin Des Champs was as popular as he was talented, with his Grade 1 wins garnering memorable receptions from racecourse fans, and was twice voted Horse of the Year at Horse Racing Ireland’s annual awards ceremony.

Purchased privately from France after winning his four-year-old debut, the son of obscure sire Timos disappointed on his first three Irish starts before winning the Martin Pipe Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The popular gelding went on to land his first Grade 1 in the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle, but would flourish over fences, winning 12 of his 20 chase starts. They included a John Durkan Chase by 13 lengths, three consecutive Irish Gold Cups, and back-to-back Savills Chases by over 30 lengths in total.

Galopin Des Champs’ final victory came by 22 lengths in the Punchestown Gold Cup and he placed on both his starts during the 2025/’26 season, which was curtailed by injury. Over the span of six years, ‘Galopin’ won 15 of his 26 career starts, amassing over €2 million in earnings.