Sir Des Champs

Sir Des Champs
Sir Des Champs at Leopardstown in February 2013.
Sire	Robin des Champs
Grandsire	Garde Royale
Dam	Liste en Tete
Damsire	Video Rock
Sex	Gelding
Foaled	28 May 2006
Country	France
Colour	Bay
Breeder	Dominique Clayeux
Owner	Dominique Clayeux Gigginstown House Stud
Trainer	E Clayeux Willie Mullins
Record	19: 10−2−1
Earnings	£483,896
Major wins
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (2011) Greenmount Park Novice Chase (2011) Killiney Novice Chase (2012) Jewson Novices' Chase (2012) Growise Champion Novice Chase (2012) Hennessy Gold Cup (Ireland) (2013) Punchestown Gold Cup (2013)

Sir Des Champs (foaled 28 May 2006) is a French-bred, Irish-trained AQPS racehorse who competes in National Hunt races. After winning only one of his five races in his native country, Sir Des Champs was transferred to Ireland and won seven races in succession including the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, Greenmount Park Novice Chase, Killiney Novice Chase, Jewson Novices' Chase and Growise Champion Novice Chase. The 2012/2013 saw the emergence of a rivalry between Sir Des Champs and another Irish-trained chaser Flemenstar. After beating his rival in the Hennessy Gold Cup, Sir Des Champs was regarded as a leading contender for the 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup in which he finished second to Bobs Worth.

Sir Des Champs is a dark-coated bay gelding bred in France by Dominique Clayeux. He was sired by the French Thoroughbred stallion Robin des Champs, whose other progeny include the mare Quevega a four-time winner of the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle. Sir Des Champs' dam Liste en Tete was a Selle Francais mare.

Sir Des Champs began his racing career at Nancy on 8 November 2009 when he finished sixth in a 2400 metre hurdle race. He was unsuccessful in three more races at minor French tracks before recording his first success at Auteuil Hippodrome on 14 March when he won the Prix de l'Yonne over 3300 metres.