Horse racing news: Galopin Des Champs named Horse of the Season at Timeform Jumps Awards
Galopin Des Champs, a three-time Grade 1 winner in the 24/25 campaign, has been named Horse of the Season at the Timeform Jumps Awards for the second year running.
A panel of Timeform experts selected the Willie Mullins–trained chaser from a shortlist of eight, seeing the son of Timos beat Champion Chase hero Marine Nationale, Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin, and Grand National victor Nick Rockett to top honours.
Elsewhere, British stars The New Lion and Sir Gino beat the Mullins battalion to win the Top Novice Hurdler and Top Novice Chaser awards, respectively.
Galopin Des Champs collects top award
The nine-year-old recorded a season-high Timeform rating of 175 for his 22-length victory in the Grade 1 Punchestown Gold Cup, bouncing back from his defeat in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
Victories in the Grade 1 Savills Chase, the Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup, and at Punchestown ensured he secured Timeform’s Top Chaser Award for a second time.
Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer to his father, Willie, said: “Galopin Des Champs was awesome in his three victories and brave in his two defeats this season, both hallmarks of a true champion.
“We’ve not had the likes of him before, and we might not have again. He’s a phenomenal beast.”
Timeform's lead jumps analyst Dan Barber said: “Defeat whilst bidding to join the greats by winning a third successive Cheltenham Gold Cup ought not define another season of almost relentless brilliance from Galopin Des Champs, Timeform's Horse of the Season for the second year in a row.
“Things didn't go ideally that day for the best-staying chaser of his generation but, when they did otherwise during the latest campaign, he proved himself still the dominant force, capped by his setting-the-record-straight rout in the Punchestown Gold Cup.”
Mullins scooped four of the seven awards available, showcasing his firepower in both divisions.
State Man retained his Top Hurdler crown after recording two Grade 1 victories this term, including a decisive triumph in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.
Lossiemouth cemented her status as Top Mare, with Grade 1 wins at Fairyhouse, Cheltenham, and Aintree for the master of Closutton.
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British dominate Novice categories
Despite Mullins’ dominance, both Novice categories went to British-trained horses, with The New Lion named Top Novice Hurdler and Sir Gino winning the Top Novice Chaser Award.
Unbeaten in five career starts, including four over hurdles, The New Lion looks a hugely exciting prospect for the Skelton team entering open company next season after his victory in the Grade 1 Turners’ Novices Hurdle, for which he earned a Timeform rating of 161p.
Sir Gino only made one appearance over fences last season, but it was a significant one as he easily brushed aside high-class rival Ballyburn to win the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase, earning a Timeform rating of 163p.
Chemical Warfare blasts to Special Recognition Award
The David Pipe–trained Chemical Warfare was named the winner of Timeform’s Special Recognition Award, a new category for 2025.
The eight-year-old chaser was given a Timeform rating of 90 before racking up a remarkable seven wins this term, seeing his rating improve 28lb to 118.
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Irish Gold Cup named Race of the Season
For the second season running, the Irish Gold Cup, run at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival in February, has been named Race of the Season.
The award was based on the average Timeform master rating of the first three finishers.
In that, the first three home in the Irish Gold Cup were Galopin des Champs (175), Grangeclare West (166), and Fact To File (173).
2025 Timeform Jumps Awards winners
Race of the Season – Irish Gold Cup
Special Recognition – Chemical Warfare
Top Mare – Lossiemouth
Top Novice Hurdler – The New Lion
Top Novice Chaser – Sir Gino
Top Hurdler – State Man
Top Chaser – Galopin Des Champs
Horse of the Season – Galopin Des Champs
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