In 2015, for the first time since 2002, our jumps jockeys champion is not Jaroslav Myška, Josef Bartoš, or Josef Váňa, jnr. The new champion, Jan Kratochvíl, is 24 years old, and was born in Rakovník [45 minutes west of Prague]. His career so far has been punctuated with injuries. This year again he was out for over two months, but he still managed to win the title. He even ended up with a clear winning margin, finishing 5 wins ahead of Josef Bartoš, who took second place.

What are your feelings as the brand new champion over fences, after a season that was by no means simple and straightforward?
I’ve fulfilled one of my big dreams. Of course, it’s a very pleasant feeling.

You again had several injuries this season. Did you believe that you would still win the championship?
An injury [a broken thigh] kept me out for two months. I knew that the riders behind me had a big chance, but I still hoped that all was not lost. I’m glad to be OK again as far as my health is concerned.

What can you say about this year’s Velka Pardubicka? As you weren’t able to ride, who were you supporting?
I was very fed up about not being able to ride, but I just had to get on with it. Like every year, the Velka Pardubicka was interesting, but there were too many falls for my taste. I supported the horses from our yard [Jan Kratochvíl works for Josef Váňa, snr.], and I was particularly curious about how Hipo Jape would do, since I was to have ridden him [Hipo Jape, considered the third-best of the three Váňa-trained runners in the VP, was pulled up near the end of the race, when he was well beaten].

Are you going to stay with Josef Váňa for the winter, or will you go abroad and have a look around in the [five-month-long] winter break, like some of your colleagues?
I’ll be staying at home in the winter, but I would like to ride races in Italy, like last year. [To a greater extent than our other trainers, Josef Váňa keeps some of his horses in training in the winter months and runs them in Italy and elsewhere. Italian trainers and other Czech trainers will be competing for Jan Kratochvíl’s services.]

What are your aims for next season, and how did you like the Josef Váňa Velká Národní [Grand National] steeplechase [run for the first time in October at Prague Velká Chuchle racecourse]? Do you think it should become a traditional point in the racing calendar?
I hope I’ll be able to defend my championship, and that I’ll be fit for the Velka Pardubicka. I’ll also be happy if owners and trainers again have confidence in me, and give me as good horses to ride as this year. The Josef Váňa Národní steeplechase is a good idea. It’s something new for the spectators, and I see no reason why it can’t be repeated.

This interview, made by Jana Šejnohová, first appeared in the Czech pages of Dostihový svět. Translated by Robin Healey.