Brilliant two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs has died. The ten-year-old was retired from racing only last Thursday, but sustained a fatal leg injury at home on Tuesday. He will be remembered as one of the all-time chasing greats.
The racing news today pays tribute to Galopin Des Champs’ racing career.
Galopin Des Champs dies aged ten
Jumps racing legend Galopin Des Champs has passed away at the age of ten just five days after his retirement from racing. The strapping gelding was a fixture of National Hunt racing over the past five seasons. Trainer Willie Mullins had retired him from the sport only last Thursday. However, it was reported on Tuesday that he had suffered a fatal leg injury at home from which he could not recover. Ruby Walsh, whose daughter Isabelle was to look after Galopin Des Champs in retirement broke the news in a statement, saying his passing “has left lots of broken hearts.” (Daily Telegraph)
Quotes from throughout Galopin Des Champs’ brilliant racing career have been shared. A three-time Cheltenham Festival and two-time Gold Cup hero, the ten-year-old enjoyed supremacy over his rivals for many seasons. Mullins described him after his third Irish Gold Cup win at Leopardstown as “the best chaser I’ve trained”, while owner Audrey Turley once said of him that: “He’s so special to us, we absolutely love him and when we go to the stable and meet him, he’s just so kind and so loving.” (Racing Post)
Banbridge wins on flat debut as King George tilt in the offing
One of Galopin Des Champs’ old rivals Banbridge scored on his flat debut on Tuesday. The chestnut was introduced to the level late in his career at Gowran Park. However, the ten-year-old demonstrated why he was capable of winning such high quality races over jumps. He won the 1m4f maiden by two lengths over Ballybawn Belter. Trainer Joseph O’Brien expressed some surprise at the result, saying: “His last run was in the (Aintree) National, so we didn’t know what to expect.” (Irish Examiner)
Agent hails “lucky” Dylan Browne McMonagle as comeback trail begins
Dylan Browne McMonagle’s agent has spoken of his “lucky” client after a Bellewstown fall last week. The 23-year-old was involved in an incident after his mount slipped in the final two furlongs. McMonagle was mostly unscathed after the incident, but will spend some time on the sidelines. Nevertheless, he will be back sooner than originally expected, with agent Kevin O’Ryan saying: “He’s a very, very lucky boy. The scans are clear and he’s on the road to recovery.” (Irish Mirror)
15-time Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior retired
A modern great of Hong Kong racing, Romantic Warrior has been retired. The eight-year-old won a staggering 24 of his 31 career races. Danny Shum’s star regularly competed at the top level, with 15 of his 24 victories arriving at the highest grade. The majority came on home soil in Hong Kong, but he also globetrotted to success too. He won Group 1 prizes in Australia, Japan and Dubai, while he finished his career with six straight victories, culminating in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup in May. (Racing Post)