The 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup, marking the race’s centenary year, saw Galopin Des Champs secure a remarkable second consecutive victory in steeplechasing’s most prestigious contest.
The 8-year-old gelding, sent off as the 10-11 favourite, demonstrated his exceptional class with a commanding performance under jockey Paul Townend.
The early stages of the race saw The Real Whacker setting the pace, with L’Homme Presse and Galopin Des Champs positioned strategically in the leading group.
As the field navigated the challenging course, drama unfolded when Fastorslow unseated his rider J.J. Slevin with seven fences remaining.
The loose horse added an extra element of complexity to the race, but Townend’s experienced handling kept Galopin Des Champs focused on the task.
The Winning Performance
In the closing stages of the Gold Cup last year, Galopin Des Champs showcased his superior ability, taking command at the penultimate fence.
He maintained his advantage up the famous Cheltenham hill, crossing the finish line three and a half lengths ahead of Gerri Colombe, with previous Grand National winner Corach Rambler finishing third.
The victory marked several significant milestones. For trainer Willie Mullins, it represented a fourth Gold Cup triumph in six years, following his previous successes with Al Boum Photo (2019, 2020) and Galopin Des Champs (2023).
Paul Townend’s masterful ride earned him a place in history as only the second jockey, alongside Pat Taaffe, to win four Gold Cups.
A Historic Week For Mullins
The Gold Cup last year crowned an extraordinary Festival for Willie Mullins, who earlier in the week had achieved the remarkable milestone of 100 Cheltenham Festival winners.
The trainer’s dominance was further emphasised by his securing of the leading trainer title at the Festival for the 11th time in 14 years.
Of course now though, the big question everybody has is can Galopin Des Champs win it again in 2025?
Looking Ahead to 2025
Galopin Des Champs enters the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup as the clear favourite at odds of around 4/6, seeking an incredible third consecutive victory in steeplechasing’s blue riband event.
The nine-year-old gelding has demonstrated his continued excellence with a dominant win in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown, bouncing back from earlier setbacks against Fastorslow and Fact To File.
Despite experiencing a brief dip in form, including a loss in the Punchestown Gold Cup and a third-place finish in the John Durkan, Galopin Des Champs has shown his resilience by returning to winning ways.
His impressive record of nine victories in 13 attempts over fences speaks to his exceptional ability.
His primary competition may come from within Willie Mullins’ own yard, with Fact To File emerging as a serious contender after going 3-4 over fences last season.
L’Homme Presse, available at longer odds, could pose a threat particularly if the ground comes up better, having shown promise in the 2024 Gold Cup before his challenge faltered at the second-last fence.
One potential vulnerability for Galopin Des Champs could be quick ground conditions. His two previous Gold Cup victories came on soft ground, though he has shown ability on good to yielding going with a high-class performance in the Savills Chase.
The 2025 renewal might see a relatively small field, with only 19 entries compared to 20 in the previous year. This could work in favour of Galopin Des Champs, as historically, smaller fields have benefited dominant champions – similar to when Best Mate secured his third Gold Cup victory against just nine rivals.
The odds and recent performances suggest Galopin Des Champs has a strong chance of achieving the historic treble, though the challenge from emerging talents and ground conditions could make this his toughest Gold Cup test yet.
The Mullins Strategy
Willie Mullins’ approach to the Cheltenham Gold Cup has undergone significant evolution, particularly in recent years.
Initially, he struggled to win the prestigious race despite multiple attempts, finally breaking through with Al Boum Photo in 2019.
His early Gold Cup strategy involved a cautious approach, exemplified by Al Boum Photo’s campaigns where the horse had just a single prep run at Tramore on New Year’s Day before heading to Cheltenham. This minimalist preparation proved successful, leading to back-to-back Gold Cup victories.
However, Mullins has notably shifted his approach with Galopin Des Champs, adopting a more aggressive racing schedule.
This change represents a departure from the “softly-softly” approach that had become a modern trend in Gold Cup preparation.
Last 10 Gold Cup Winners
- 2024: Galopin Des Champs (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend)
- 2023: Galopin Des Champs (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend)
- 2022: A Plus Tard (Henry De Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore)
- 2021: Minella Indo (Henry De Bromhead/Jack Kennedy)
- 2020: Al Boum Photo (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend)
- 2019: Al Boum Photo (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend)
- 2018: Native River (Colin Tizzard/Richard Johnson)
- 2017: Sizing John (Jessica Harrington/Robbie Power)
- 2016: Don Cossack (Gordon Elliott/Bryan Cooper)
- 2015: Coneygree (Mark Bradstock/Nico de Boinville)
The Gold Cup last year may have given Willie Mullins his fourth win in six years and honestly, one way or another, it looks like he’s the man to beat again in 2025.
Though it is unlikely that Galopin Des Champs could ever match Golden Miller’s five consecutive wins in the 1930s, if he can get a third victory he will equal the achievement of the great Arkle and few owners, or trainers, would turn their nose up at that.
Great Gold Cup Moments
The Cheltenham Gold Cup has produced numerous extraordinary moments throughout its century-long history.
Golden Miller stands alone as the most successful horse in Gold Cup history, claiming an unprecedented five victories and uniquely combining Gold Cup success with Grand National victory in 1934.
Arkle’s era of dominance in the 1960s set new standards, with his 1966 victory particularly notable as he won by 30 lengths despite a dramatic moment when he crashed through a fence.
Best Mate’s remarkable trilogy of victories (2002-2004) marked him as the first horse since Arkle to achieve three consecutive wins.
Kauto Star wrote his own chapter in Gold Cup history by becoming the first horse to regain the trophy, winning in both 2007 and 2009.
Dawn Run’s 1986 triumph stands as a unique achievement, as she remains the only horse to win both the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup.
The 2014 Gold Cup provided one of the most thrilling conclusions when Lord Windermere, a 20/1 outsider, emerged victorious after a stewards’ inquiry following a dramatic late surge up the Cheltenham hill.
A Worthy Winner
As we reflect on Galopin Des Champs‘ historic back-to-back victories in the Gold Cup last year and in 2023, all eyes now turn to the 2025 renewal where he stands as a commanding favourite to achieve an extraordinary hat-trick.
His dominant display in the Savills Chase has reinforced his position as the one to beat, though emerging challengers like Banbridge and several promising newcomers ensure the race won’t be a mere coronation.
The potential for a third consecutive Gold Cup victory would place Galopin Des Champs in rarefied company, joining legends like Best Mate and Arkle as one of the all-time greats of steeplechasing.
With Paul Townend seeking a remarkable fifth Gold Cup triumph and Willie Mullins continuing to demonstrate his mastery of preparing horses for the championship races, the 2025 Gold Cup promises to be another captivating chapter in this prestigious race.
BETFRED
