‘He's my baby boy' – Galopin Des Champs storms home in Gold Cup as owner Audrey Turley hides in the stands
AUDREY Turley has revealed that she was hiding in the stands as Galopin des Champs romped to victory on DAY 2 of the Punchestown Festival.
The famous horse made it third time luck at the Kildare racecourse to claims the Gold Cup.
2
Galopin des Champs owner Audrey Turley after the horses win at the Punchestown Gold Cup
2
Paul Townend celebrates with the cup after winning the Punchestown Gold Cup Chase on Galopin Des Champs on day two
The Wille Mullins' trained superstar strolled home to win by 22-lengths in the feature race of the festival.
Mrs Turley hailed the horse and trainer after the win in the Kildare sunshine as she called them superstars before revealing that she's always too nervous to watch the race live when at the racecourse.
Speaking to
She said: "Not really... I got a commentary from everybody around me. I was up hiding in the stands.
READ MORE ON RACING
"I took their word, and once he's over the last safely, I can look and it's all good... it's fantastic."
"He's my baby boy, and I absolutely love him."
The French-bred, Irish-trained National Hunt racehorse claimed back-to-back Cheltenham Gold Cup victories in 2023 and 2024, along with consecutive wins in the Irish Gold Cup in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Before today's success, the eight-year-old began his season with a third run in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, where he finished third behind Fact To File and Spillane's Tower.
Most read in Horse Racing
On 2 December 2024, Galopin Des Champs was named Horse of the Year at the Horse Racing Ireland awards.
He beat off strong shortlist that included City of Troy and Kyprios.
Willie Mullins breaks down in tears as Nick Rockett storms to emotional Grand National win
He returned to action later that month and reversed earlier form with Fact To File, landing a second Savills Chase victory on 28 December.
He followed that up with a dominant display to claim a third consecutive Irish Gold Cup on 1 February 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Mauricio Pochettino breaks unwanted record as USA humbled by Switzerland just a year before World Cup begins
MAURICIO POCHETTINO's nightmare start as USMNT boss continued with a thumping loss against Switzerland. The HALF-TIME infront of an embarrassed Poch in Tennessee. 4 Mauricio Pochettino watched his US side fall to another defeat on Tuesday Credit: Getty 4 The Star and Stripes shipped four goals in a dreadful first half Credit: Getty 4 The loss comes on the eve of the CONCACAF Gold Cup Credit: AP Pochettino's side have now lost four matches on the bounce since March. The 53-year-old had declared his team had But two months on, the USMNT are enduring their worst run of form since 2007. It comes just twelve months before the country hosts the World Cup. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL Tuesday's humiliating defeat was also the first time since 1980 the US have shipped four goals in one half. Dan Ndoye, Michel Aebischer, Breel Embolo and Johan Manzambi were all on target for the Swiss at a stunned Geodis Park. All four goals arrived in a 23-minute flurry before the break. Pochettino's men are preparing for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which kicks off on June 15. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK And after making a host of changes, the Argentine admitted he might have tinkered too much. The former Spurs boss said: "First of all, I think it, of course, is our responsibility and my responsibility, the decision of the choice of the starting eleven. USA manager Mauricio Pochettino gives reaction to 2-1 loss to Canada "I think we wanted to give the possibility to the whole roster to have minutes and play for different circumstances and I think that is the risk that we took. "The combination of the starting eleven of the team, wasn't, I think, now after 90 minutes, the best. "We need to say, blame ourselves. Criticise us. Because it was my decision, and that decision didn't work, and when that doesn't work, you need to be critical with yourself." Former Chelsea star 4 Christian Pulisic has been slammed for skipping the Gold Cup Credit: Getty And the 26-year-old's decision has been slammed by former USA forward Langdon Donovan. After watching "And if you don't want to take this, as a professional soccer player and someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey and take it seriously and responsibly, then don't come in. "This is what it means. He's [Ronaldo] 40 years old, he played a long-a** season, he's tired, he was out there grinding and hurt himself in the process. "And I can't help but think about some of our [USMNT] guys on vacation right now, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It's p***ing me off.'
Dublin Live
a day ago
- Dublin Live
Premier League legend backs Irish star to continue record-breaking haul at Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot is the pinnacle of the flat-racing season, with some of the world's best jockeys and trainers arriving in Berkshire for five days of top-notch horse-racing action. This year's event begins on Tuesday 17 June, with talent from Europe, Australia, Japan, the Middle East, and the United States all competing for a slice of the huge £10 million prize pot. And former Arsenal star and horse racing fanatic Ray Parlour believes Irishman Aidan O'Brien will extend his remarkable win rate at the famous meeting later this month. The Ballydoyle star is already the most successful trainer in Royal Ascot history with a record 91 winners. He scooped six wins at Royal Ascot last year, making him the leading trainer at the event - the 13th time he has achieved the feat in his career. 'Aidan O'Brien is the best flat trainer at the moment,' says Parlour. 'He has so many top horses in his stable who can win the sprints and longer distance races, so naturally, he's one to follow.' The ex-Gunner says he'll be focusing on Thursday's showpiece Gold Cup, where O'Brien will be looking to add to his record-breaking eight wins in the race. His horse Illinois is 7/5 favourite with NetBet Casino and Sport Ireland to triumph ahead of Candelari at 7/2 and Trawlerman at 21/5. Another O'Brien starter in the race is Jan Brueghel, priced at 26/5. 'Illinois is a good horse who may make it a very interesting race and could come out on top in the Gold Cup,' adds Parlour. The two highest-earning races are the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, with a whopping £1 million handed to the winner of each race. In the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, Lazzat is the 7/2 frontrunner, Inisherin at 24/5 and O'Brien's Storm Boy at 6/1. Ascot's opening race is also highly rewarding, with the winner taking home £750,000. With John and Thady Gosden as the trainers, Parlour plans to keep a close watch on Lead Artist, expecting Oisin Murphy to ride again. Just last month, Murphy guided Lead Artist to a thrilling victory at Newbury, where he narrowly defeated Dancing Gemini in the closing moments of the race. Now, the two horses are set for a rematch at Ascot, and Parlour is confident Murphy will replicate that winning performance in Berkshire. 'In the opening race at Ascot, Lead Artist is a horse I know won at Newbury and could go very well in the Queen Anne Stakes,' he says. Lead Artist is 26/5 with NetBet Casino and Sport Ireland to win the race, just behind Dancing Gemini at 9/2 and the favourite Rosallion at 7/2. Four-time FA Cup winner Parlour is also tipping jockey Ryan Moore for more success at this year's event. The 41-year-old has won the leading jockey title 10 times at Ascot and set a post-war record of nine winners for a single Royal Ascot meeting in 2015. 'Ryan Moore is such a great jockey, too, and he proves time and time again the quality he has in the saddle,' he said. As well as NetBet Casino and Sport Ireland offering great odds on all UK and international horse racing events, NetBet Casino and Sport Ireland has welcome offers and promotions, including up to 500 free spins for new customers (full T&Cs can be found here). Sport-specific promotions include Wheel of Sportune, daily prizes, and Correct Score Predictor, with a jackpot of up to €5,000. You could also win a pair of tickets to the Summer Festival at Galway Races every time you bet €10 on UK and Irish horse racing - terms and conditions apply*. 'Royal Ascot is a superb spectacle and an icon of British Sport,' says Parlour. 'It gets the Royal treatment as well, so it's 100 per cent up there for sure as one of the year's best events. 'Sometimes you receive a tip and follow that one, or look at the in-form trainers and jockeys. For me, especially in the big races, I may just go with horse number 15, which was my number when I played.' Visit NetBet Casino and Sport Ireland (18+ only). *Key terms and conditions for the Summer Festival at Galway Races giveaway: The promotion will run until 13/07/2025. Customers will earn 1 entry into the prize draw for every €10 wagered on UK & Irish horse racing within the promotional period. Minimum odds of 1/1 (2.00) per selection apply. Only bets placed with cash stakes qualify. Bets placed using Free Bets or bonus funds do not count towards this promotion. Settled bets only. Cashed out and cancelled bets will not qualify. Prize draws will take place on 14/07/2025. Open only to customers from Ireland. Full terms and conditions can be viewed here. Commitment to responsible gambling
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
My ‘one-of-a-kind' jockey dad died in a fall just days before I was born – now I'm riding winners for Willie Mullins
A JOCKEY whose dad died in a tragic fall just days before he was born is rocketing up the ranks - banging in winners for Willie Mullins. Sean Cleary-Farrell has three winners from just four rides for the all-conquering Irish trainer this year. 2 Willie Mullins knows top talent when he sees it - and has started giving Sean Cleary-Farrell a load more rides Credit: Sportsfile 2 Sean Cleary-Farrell's late dad, Sean Cleary, who was described as a 'one-of-a-kind' talent, tragically died in a race fall in 2003 Credit: Sportsfile He notched his first career double aboard Mullins' right-hand man David Casey was full of praise for Cleary-Farrell after. And he hinted he could get the leg up in some big-money races aboard Spanish Harlem - who was fourth in the bet365 Gold Cup - when the new season gets going properly. He said: "Sean is in Willie's full-time and is a good rider and works hard. "He took a couple weeks off and rode a winner on the Flat in France. "These days are for lads like him. He's getting his chance and he's taking it with both hands. "Sean gave Spanish Harlem a good ride and he kept galloping well. "I'd say nicer ground suits him and obviously those extended trips. He ran a real good race at Sandown. Most read in Horse Racing "I'd say he'll be looking at races like the Kerry National and Munster National." Cleary-Farrell's rapid success is doubly impressive given the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding his father's death aged just 22. Sean Cleary was one of Ireland's 'leading young riders' and described as a 'one-of-a-kind' talent when he was killed in a race at Galway in October 2003. Tragically, Sean Jnr was born just two months after his father passed as a result of severe head injuries suffered in the spill. Describing his father, Cleary-Farrell said on "Unfortunately, there are very few videos or DVDs of his rides but photos of his winners still adorn the walls of my grandparents' house. "Growing up I was always aware of who he was and what an accomplished jockey he had been during his short career." Mullins took Cleary-Farrell under his wing at Closutton and the conditional jockey says he loves it there. The Irish handler has also started Given the superstars they ride out at Mullins' HQ every day, it's no surprise they're finding it relatively easy work on the racecourse proper. Speaking after his latest win, Cleary-Farrell said: "I can't describe how I feel, it will take me a while to come down off this cloud. "A big thank you to Willie for giving me the opportunity to ride these horses, he's looking after me." Sounds like they'll be looking out for each other in the winner's enclosure for many months, and hopefully years, to come. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
