Irish-bred Touch of Genius, by Galileo, out of Festoso (Diesis), won the 23^rd running of Slovak Derby in good style on July 19th, and became only the fourth horse to win the Derby in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Touch of Genius is owned by Statek Blata Český Ráj, and is trained in the Czech Republic by Josef Váňa. He was ridden by Jaromír Šafář, who had also ridden him in the Czech Derby at Prague Velká Chuchle. The plan is for Touch of Genius to run next in Italy, but not until the weather is cooler and the ground is less firm.

On July 18^th, Most racecourse held its biggest meeting of the season. The highlight was the Czech Oaks, sponsored for the first time by Mercedes-Benz. In a frantic finish, Amga River held off the challenge of Czech One Thousand Guineas winner Dumnonia. Ines came with a late run, and looked as if she could win. In the end, the camera showed that Amga River was the winner, by a nose from Ines, with Dumnonia a nose away in third place.

Irish-bred Amga River, by Dylan Thomas out of a Gulch mare, is owned by Valentin Bukhtoyarov and is trained by Arslangirej Šavujev. He was ridden by Bauyrzhan Murzabayev. Murzabayev, who has won our flat jockeys’ championship in each of the last two years, rode three winners in the afternoon, and now looks very likely to win the championship again.

The Velká Mostecká Steeplechase was also run at Most on July 18^th, and was won by 11-y-o Budapest, which has now happily reverted to racing on turf, and is not being aimed at the Velká Pardubická this year. Budapest, owned by Jasna, trained by Josef Váňa, was ridden by Jan Kratochvíl, who has now gone clear again in the Czech jumps jockeys’ championship.

Next weekend, there is racing at Slušovice on Saturday and at Mimoň on Sunday.