Galopin Des Champs facing stiff competition for Horse of the Year Award

The 2025 HRI Awards will take place on December 8 in Dublin

LOCKED IN BATTLE: Inothewayurthinkin and Galopin Des Champs fought out the finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the duo are on another collision course for the Horse of the Year award. Picture: Healy Racing 

The countdown is on to the 2025 Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Awards, which will take place on December 8 in Dublin, and as has become customary as we continue to sail through a period of unprecedented and sustained success, the category for Horse of the Year is replete with the very best in the business.

Galopin Des Champs may have relinquished his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown but was imperious in every other outing this season. Will that be enough to fend off his Prestbury conqueror, Inothewayurthinkin? Or, indeed, could Marine Nationale’s Champion Chase victory be enough to carry Barry Connell’s horse to the award?