Willie Mullins confirms two-time Gold Cup hero and ‘horse of a lifetime’ Galopin Des Champs has been retired

CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 17: Jockey, Paul Townend on Galopin Des Champs celebrates winning the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase during day four, Gold Cup Day, of the Cheltenham Festival 2023 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 17, 2023 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Sam Mellish/Getty Images) Credit: Getty WILLIE MULLINS has confirmed two-time Gold Cup winner and ‘horse of a lifetime’ Galopin Des Champs has been retired. The legendary handler said his Closutton stable star will now embark on a ‘second career’. Two-time Gold Cup winner and one of the greatest staying chasers ever Galopin Des Champs has been retired aged ten Credit: Getty Galopin Des Champs, who bows out as a ten-year-old, was last seen finishing third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Leopardstown last February. Ever brave in defeat, he didn’t make it to Cheltenham afterwards for one last shot at a third Gold Cup. Mullins told Sporting Life the decision to retire him – made in conjunction with owner Audrey Turley – came because he could no longer ‘do himself justice at the level he was used to’. The Closutton boss said: “We took a collective decision to retire Galopin Des Champs at his age because we felt he could not do himself justice at the level he was used to. “He retires a good, sound horse who will hopefully have a good second career as a sport horse.” More to follow. Comment now