Největší dostih pražského mítinku opanoval pod Jaroslavem Línkem
a jeho radost. Jak by ne, vyhrál i celý letošní Pohár žokejů
Hrdina Kentucky Derby (vpravo) potvrdil svou letošní suverenitu. Foto Breeders’ Cup/Eclipse Sportswire photo
nečekaný vítěz letošní BC Mile pod žokejem Boudotem. Foto Breeders’ Cup/Eclipse Sportswire photo
Irská návštěvnice Keenelandu jistila úspěch v BC Turf. Foto Breeders’ Cup/Eclipse Sportswire photo
In October 2020, all the COVID-19 indicators for the Czech Republic went up and up, until we were informed that our figures were the worst for any country in Europe, perhaps with the exception of Andorra, and then the indicators just kept on going up. Finally, in the last couple of days of the month, the figures went down a little. The way back down will take longer than the way up.
Josef Bartoš’s injury at Merano has cost him not only his ride in this year’s Velka Pardubicka but also his leadership in the Italian jumps jockeys’ championship. The defender of the title has lost his lead in this year’s championship to his fellow countryman, Jan Faltejsek.
Before the race
The current situation is that the race meetings scheduled for Oct. 17th at Most, on Oct. 25th at Prague Velká Chuchle, and on Oct. 28th at Slušovice have all been postponed.
We are told that the virus figures have been heading sharply in the wrong direction. Stricter measures have been introduced, and open-air events must be held behind closed doors, at least until November 3rd. The Jockey Club of the Czech Republic has been arguing for an exception to be made for horseracing, so that the Czech St. Leger can be run, and a premature end to our racing season has not been called.
The race meetings at Most on Saturday, October 17th and at Pardubice on Saturday, October 24th have been cancelled.
For the first time since 1994, I did not go to the racecourse for the two-day Velka Pardubicka meeting. It was of course sad to miss the great occasion, but there was plenty to be grateful for. Pardubice racecourse made great efforts, and successfully put on a high-quality day of racing (only one day, this year). The Town of Pardubice and the Pardubice District gave plenty of support, as did sponsors and the state authorities.
12-y-o Hegnus has won the 130th running of the Velka Pardubicka, after four horses had run side-by-side for a while after the last fence. In the end, second place went to Player, Vandual finished third, and the remaining prize-money winners were Talent, Tzigane du Berlais, Casper and Lodgian Whistle.
Hegnus is owned by František Ševců and trained by Radek Holčák, and was ridden by Slovak jockey, Lukáš Matuský.
