After starting his racing life in France, Garde Champetre was brought to the UK and owned by racing syndicate Million In Mind. Trained by Paul Nicholls, across 6 races in the 2003–04 season, winning two races and scoring three second place finishes.
Million In Mind sold Garde Champetre [1] for 530,000gns in 2004 to prolific owner John P. McManus making Garde Champetre the most expensive National Hunt horse to go through auction.[2][3] Following the sale, training was switched to Jonjo O'Neill. It wasn't until October 15, 2006, that he would win again, in a minor race at Carlisle Racecourse ridden by AP McCoy.
In December 2007, training moved to Enda Bolger in Ireland.[4] Garde Champetre switched to cross country races and began to have an immediate impact, winning 3 races in a row under Nina Carberry at the Cheltenham Festival and at Punchestown.[5] He would return to Cheltenham in March 2009 to successfully defend his title and again at Punchestown in April. [6]
Garde Champetre went off as 7/4F for the 2010 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase but finished 5th.[7]
Returning to Cheltenham for the 2012 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, Garde Champetre went off at 10/1 with regular jockey Nina Carberry. Sadly, during this race, he suffered a fatal injury.[8][9]
