On the 100th anniversary of the Gold Cup, the Willie Mullins-trained superstar became just the third horse this century to retain the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Galopin Des Champs put in a flawless performance to win a second Cheltenham Gold Cup on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival. On the 100th anniversary of the Gold Cup, the Willie Mullins-trained superstar became just the third horse this century to retain the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The 2023 winner went off odds-on and didn’t once look troubled throughout the 3m2f Grade 1 contest. Galopin Des Champs was followed home by Gerri Colombe in second whilst Grand National winner, Corach Rambler stayed on well for third.
Speaking to ITV Racing after the race, winning jockey, Paul Townend said, “Unbelievable. We had to go through his reserves.
"I rode him completely different to last year and he was so brave for me. I was afraid we didn't have enough but it's the Gold Cup so we had to go for it.
"What makes him a champion? His heart probably. We had to go through reserves which only special horses have.”