Paul Townend knew magic was happening way out in the country, as the jockeys call it. On the far side of the course, a mile from the finish, Galopin Des Champs cleared a fence like an Olympic high jumper and suddenly the volume was pumped up. 'I've ridden at Leopardstown all my life and never experienced that,' jockey Townend explained. 'Over the fourth last ditch, I heard the roar. I thought Ireland had scored a try! I've gone past the winning post here some days and it's been deadly quiet, so this was unbelievable.'.

Townend was wide-eyed, trying to process it all. He is normally reserved, a man who chooses his words carefully, but shackles are loosened when a magnificent horse captures the hearts and minds of the public — and that is exactly what Galopin Des Champs has done. The simple fact will tell you this nine-year-old justified odds of 1/2 in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, beating two of his stablemates from Willie Mullins' yard by five lengths, but this was so much more. This was one of those days when cups and papers were slung in the air and voices were lost in glee.

No wonder. This was poetic, with Townend allowing his partner to gallop at 28mph for two-thirds of the contest before putting his foot to the floor and hitting 35mph as he shot around the home turn, Grangeclare West and Fact To File left toiling in his slipstream. On he marched magnificently to his third consecutive triumph in this contest and, with his arrow-like jumping and relentless galloping, showed why it is almost certain that he will complete another hat-trick in Cheltenham's Blue Riband on March 15. You are looking at an all-time great.

Galopin Des Champs won the Irish Gold Cup for a third straight year on Saturday afternoon. Jockey Paul Townend pictured celebrating after riding Galopin Des Champs to victory in Dublin. Gelding Galopin Des Champs also famously won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2023 and 2024. 'He's the best chaser I've trained,' said Mullins, who was winning the Irish Gold Cup for the 14th time — that record is staggering when you consider it was only first staged in 1987.

'He's just a real champion. There were plenty of horses up there with him the whole way, but he just burned them off. Everyone loves Audrey (Turley) who owns the horse, she's so enthusiastic and wears her heart on her sleeve. This horse is the same. He grabs races by the neck and battles.'. That makes him sound like a slogger, but he is nothing of the sort. He is a buffalo wearing ballet shoes, powered by a Formula One engine. He is strong yet nimble and his star quality has secured a huge fan club, with the packed stands singing 'Ole! Ole! Ole!' as he paraded in the aftermath.

Quickly, he has elevated himself into the realms of Istabraq and Moscow Flyer, past greats who were almost deified. Should he emulate Best Mate (2002-2004) and Arkle (1964-1966), the last horses to annexe Cheltenham's ultimate prize in three straight years, his place in the pantheon will be assured. 'It was so cool,' said Townend. 'This, I suppose, was the closest I will get to be a striker scoring a goal and being able to run off in front of the crowd.

'You have to enjoy these moments because, believe me, horses like this are rare.'. Townend had started the day by guiding home the hugely impressive Final Demand in the first of the Grade Ones and Mullins also helped himself to a third victory on the day, courtesy of Majborough, who was electric in the Irish Arkle and looks a star in the making for owner JP McManus. With more favourites to come today, on the second afternoon of the Dublin Racing Festival,Mullins and Townend will inevitably have more success.