Champion horse Galopin Des Champs dies aged 10 less than a week after retirement

Galopin Des Champs died from a severe leg injury less than a week after his retirement, turning a celebratory end to his racing career into a tragic loss. The 10-year-old gelding suffered the injury in his field on Tuesday morning, and veterinarians determined that it could not be repaired.

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Sadly, Galopin Des Champs suffered an injury in his field this morning and could not be saved.

Former champion jockey Ruby Walsh had taken responsibility for retraining Galopin for a possible eventing career. Walsh said he found the horse with a serious injury high on his near front leg when he went to collect him for exercise. Veterinary examinations and X-rays showed extensive damage.

Galopin, trained by Willie Mullins, won two Cheltenham Gold Cups and was regarded as one of the outstanding staying steeplechasers of his era. He also won 12 Grade One races, including three straight Irish Gold Cups at Leopardstown, and finished with 15 victories from 26 races.

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He was a fabulous racehorse whose short time with us has left lots of broken hearts.

Walsh said Galopin had been a fabulous racehorse and that his short time with the family had left many people heartbroken, especially owners Greg, Audrey and Sarah Turley and those who had cared for him. “He will be sadly missed,” Walsh said.

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He will be sadly missed.