Galopin Des Champs became a back-to-back winner of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup when repeating his success of 12 month’s ago for trainer Willie Mullins, jockey Paul Townend and owner Audrey Turley at the Cheltenham Festival this afternoon (15 March).
Ridden much more prominently than a year ago, the eight-year-old, who went off as 10/11 favourite, travelled strongly throughout and had a comfortable three and a half lengths to spare over Gerri Colombe at the finish.
Paul said: “Unbelievable. I rode him completely different to last year and he was just so brave for me. We were kind of in between at the last and I was afraid we didn’t have enough to go for it, but it was a Gold Cup and we had to. He has pulled out all the stops again.”
This victory makes Paul the record-equalling winning jockey in the race; his three previous victories came on Al Boum Photo (2019, 2020) and Galopin Des Champs (2023). The only other jockey to win the title four times was the late Pat Taaffe, on Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966) and Fort Leney (1968).
Willie Mullins also won the race for a fourth time after Galopin Des Champ’s success of 2023, plus Al Boum Photo.
Asked what makes Galopin Des Champs a champion, Paul said: “His heart probably. We obviously changed it up a bit this year, but he enjoys doing that now. I got in a good rhythm. It feels different to all the other [Gold Cup wins]. I can’t really believe it – I’m a bit lost for words. He pulled out every stop, and we went for reserves in the last furlong that only the very best have.
“It’s easy when you are riding for Willie. You can go out and do things, change things. It actually went to plan A probably, but if it didn’t, you have free rein to change it up, and that’s the privilege of riding for the great man.”
Mr Mullins said: “He is classy, isn’t he? Paul jumped out and rode a race on him. We were just afraid of the first couple of jumps – the last couple of years he has come here he has ballooned them a little bit and this year Paul said, ‘No, we’ll get him out there, get him racing earlier on, and then settle him in and ride a race’, and that’s what he’s done.
“Now he’s way more mature and settled in his races, and much easier to ride. Paul has full confidence in him – he has more confidence in him than I have, I think, and I can see why – he’s obviously getting that sort of feel from the saddle all along. He gallops, he jumps, he stays – what more do you need?”
Asked whether he will now attempt a third Cheltenham Gold Cup win, Mr Mullins said: “I imagine we have to do that, yes. Good racehorses deserve to run in good races, and we need to see them out at the races, and that’s why I like running them. And if they’re beaten, it’s not the end of the world; they’re still good horses. He’s a horse I’m not afraid to race.
“I just think he put himself in the superstar category, to do what he did in the way that he did it, and that loose horse there; Paul was so positive on him. I think we have to say we’re coming back next year to try to win a third one if we can. He has the ability to do it, he just has to stay sound, I think.
Winning owner Audrey Turley said: “We can’t believe it, it is still a fantastic shock! I know he was favourite, but you never know with racing what is going to happen. To win here on the 100-year anniversary, that is very special. It’s just been fantastic, we are so privileged to be here and just so thrilled to be part of this magnificent team – Willie, Paul, Galopin, obviously, and everyone else involved from Closutton – it’s just fantastic.”
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Gordon Elliott, trainer of runner-up Gerri Colombe, said: “He ran a great race and we got a lot closer to the winner this time. The loose horse didn’t help us but it didn’t make the difference between winning and losing. The winner was very, very good.
Jack Kennedy, rider of runner-up Gerri Colombe, said: “It was a great run. I’m delighted with him. We thought he’d get a lot closer to the winner this time and he did.”
Lucinda Russell, trainer of the third-placed Corach Rambler said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. If you’d said to me I’d be third in the Gold Cup I wouldn’t have believed you. On Tuesday we weren’t going to run, but he’s a racehorse and he loves his job.
“At the top of the hill I thought he was a little further back than usual, but as he came down the hill and round that corner I just thought ‘could he do it again’. Maybe if the ground had been a bit better I don’t know. All I know is that I’m delighted with him. To be third in the Gold Cup is fantastic and I can’t get over how much people here appreciate him.
“He’s just lovely. He’s the horse of a lifetime. It’s the perfect Grand National trial and I’m so proud of him.”
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