Velká pardubická steeplechase

From wikipedia

Velká pardubická is a famous cross-country steeplechase run in Pardubice, Czech Republic since 1874.

It takes place every year on the second Sunday in October.

The length of the steeplechase is 6.9 km (4 miles 506 yards), with 31 obstacles. It usually takes 9–10 minutes to finish the course; the record is 8:56.01 set by Ribelino in 2015.

Horses starting in the race must be at least six years old (before 2009, the minimum age was seven years); Czech horses must qualify by finishing at least one of four qualifying races during the season.

This years it was the 131. Velká pardubická, with the great tradition since 1874, the course was changed several times. Horses now have to jump over 31 obstacles.

From the history of the steeple-chase:  the most successful horse in the race was Železník (železo mean in Czech iron). The horse won the race four times (from 1987 to 1989 and again in 1991). The most succesful jockey is Josef Váňa Sr., having achieved eight victories, and he is also a very well known celebrity in the Czech Republic. The first (and only woman) to have won the race is Countess Lata Brandisová (1896-1981), who won in 1937. This steeplechase in 1937 was the last one held for almost 10 years.

Great Liverpool steeple-chase was an inspiration for Czech noblemen. The first steeple chase took place in 1836 in East Bohemia - in the same year as first Great Liverpool and later it was transferred to the East Bohemian town Pardubice.

The first Great Pardubice steeplechase ran on November 5, 1874 for 8000 gold. There were 14 horses at the start. The victory was finally won by the thoroughbred stallion Fantome with the English jockey George Sayers in the saddle. Only 7 horses finished the race.

Today - 10th October 2021 - the steeple-chase won horse Talent with Czech jockey Pavel Složil who is only 23years old.

Six horses did not finish the steeple-chase this time.

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                                Margaret