Galopin Des Champs, the 10-11 favorite ridden by Paul Townend, defended his Cheltenham Gold Cup title in style, crowning a historic week for legendary trainer Willie Mullins. The champion horse fended off Gerri Colombe and Corach Rambler to claim victory in the prestigious race’s centenary year.
Mullins etched his name in the record books as the first trainer to win the Gold Cup twice with two different horses, having previously triumphed with Al Boum Photo in 2019 and 2020. This Gold Cup victory marked Mullins’ fourth in six years and his 100th Cheltenham Festival win, a milestone he reached on Wednesday.
Despite the presence of a loose horse, Fastorslow, which had earlier unseated JJ Slevin, Townend kept his composure to become only the second jockey after Pat Taaffe to win the Gold Cup four times.
“I think he just put himself into the superstar category, to do what he did and the way he did it with the loose horse,” Mullins said of Galopin Des Champs. “We will come back and try to win it for a third time. He has the ability to do it.”
Townend praised the winner’s heart and determination, saying, “What makes him a champion? His heart probably. We had to go through reserves which only special horses have.”
Mullins’ Dominance Continues
The magical day for Mullins began with Majborough claiming the Triumph Hurdle, followed by Absurde’s victory in the County Hurdle, sealing the leading trainer title at the Festival for the 11th time in 14 years.
Gordon Elliott’s Stellar Story won the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, denying former football manager Harry Redknapp another winner with The Jukebox Man. Sine Nomine, ridden by John Dawson, took the Hunters’ Chase for trainer Fiona Needham, while Limerick Lace edged out Mullins’ Dinoblue in the Paddy Power Mares’ Chase.
The concluding Martin Pipe Hurdle went to Elliott and Danny Gilligan with Better Days Ahead, capping off a remarkable Cheltenham Festival for the Irish contingent, particularly the legendary Mullins.
