Overview
Sir Des Champs (28 May 2006 – 18 May 2018) was a French-bred AQPS racehorse who made his name in Irish National Hunt racing. Bred in France and campaigned primarily over jumps in Ireland and Britain, he became known as a high-class staying chaser during the 2011–2013 seasons. His career combined a string of novice chase victories, a notable rivalry with contemporary Flemenstar, and a memorable runner-up performance in the 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Origins and breed type
Sir Des Champs was registered as AQPS, an acronym for Autre Que Pur-Sang (Other Than Thoroughbred). AQPS horses are a French category that includes animals with substantial non-thoroughbred ancestry, many of which excel in steeplechasing because of their stamina and jumping ability. Although not strictly a full Thoroughbred, AQPS stock have produced several top jump performers in modern National Hunt racing.
Racing career and characteristics
After beginning his career in France, where he won once in five starts, Sir Des Champs was exported to Ireland and trained for jumps racing. He developed into a consistent performer over larger fences and longer distances. The horse was particularly effective in staying chases and carried out a progressive campaign that included several graded novice chase successes, establishing him among the leading young chasers of his era.
Major victories and rivalry
Across his peak seasons he enjoyed a series of important wins and became associated with a season-long rivalry against the Irish chaser Flemenstar. Key successes in his record include:
- Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
- Greenmount Park Novice Chase
- Killiney Novice Chase
- Jewson Novices' Chase
- Growise Champion Novice Chase
- Hennessy Gold Cup (beat Flemenstar in a notable clash)
These performances propelled him into consideration for top open company, culminating in his second-place finish in the 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup behind Bobs Worth—an achievement that confirmed his status as a top-class staying chaser.
Legacy and final years
Sir Des Champs remained a popular figure among jump racing followers for his battling qualities and consistency at the highest level. After retiring from top-class competition he later returned to lower-level or point-to-point activity, a route some former campaigners take to continue racing in a less pressured environment. He suffered a fatal injury while competing in a point-to-point on 18 May 2018 and was reported to have died at age 11. His career is remembered for the rapid rise from French hurdling to the upper ranks of Irish chasing and for providing dramatic contests during a strong era of National Hunt racing.
Notable facts
- Represented the successful cross-channel flow of AQPS and French-bred jumpers into British and Irish racing.
- His rivalry with Flemenstar and his Gold Cup placing made him one of the most discussed chasers of the early 2010s.
- Example of an AQPS horse reaching the highest levels in National Hunt racing.