Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs has tragically died just five days after his retirement was confirmed by Willie Mullins.

The 10-year-old, who won an incredible 12 Grade 1s during an illustrious career, had 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 Grey, 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, back-to-back Savills Chases by over 30 lengths in total, and of course, two Cheltenham Gold Cups.

Galopin Des Champs’ final victory came by 22 lengths in the Punchestown Gold Cup and he placed on both his starts during the 2025/2026 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.