Galopin Des Champs' death is hard to fathom but just as with Kauto Star his extraordinary talent means the legend will live forever

Of all the perks that come with writing about horseracing, there is none to compare with reporting live on the spine-tingling adventures of Gold Cup horses, and Galopin Des Champs epitomised that invigorating indulgence more than any other horse of late. 

Every time the dark destroyer went into battle, he set pulses racing. He was possessed of an exhilarating and flamboyant natural disposition that we associate more naturally with two-mile chasers yet he still demonstrated all the courage and resilience that are prerequisites in the best stayers.  

• Galopin Des Champs was so much more than just a winning machine - he was one of the few who found a way into our hearts 
• 'A superstar nobody will forget' - Galopin Des Champs dies aged ten just five days after retirement announced 

It was a privilege to be ringside and bear witness to the construction, block by block, of his glorious legacy, a spectacular edifice that will stand the test of time.