In recent years, Josef Bartoš has combined winning the jumps jockey’s championship in Italy with riding in the main events here in the Czech Republic, and also some occasional rides in Switzerland and at Wroclaw. This year, in addition, he is planning  two visits to Sweden.

After already riding winners in Italy and Switzerland this year, Josef Bartoš had three rides on April 24th at Partynice racecourse in Wroclaw, Poland, including one winner. This was his first visit to Wroclaw in a couple of years. “Everything was fine. There were plenty of spectators, and everything was well organised. The Polish horses that I rode were fine, and jumped well. It’s two years now since I last rode at Wroclaw, for trainer Greg Wroblewski, and since that tme there have been a lot of changes. The fences and obstacles have been adjusted. They are not very big, but they are OK. The races are run right-handed. You can see that they’ve made a step forwards.”

Bartoš will not be able to make many visits to Poland this year.“This was probably my first and last visit to Wroclaw this year. Today I saw when their racedays are, and they’re on Sundays, when there is racing at Merano, in Italy. Overall, the system for the races has been worked out well, and there are good opportunities for horses.” Racing at Pardubice is on Saturdays, with the exception of Velka Pardubicka day, which is the second Sunday in October.

Josef Bartoš will also not be in the Czech Republic next weekend. “I waited for an offer of a ride in the First of May Steeplechase at Lysá-nad-Labem. I was offered something, but I’m giving priority to a ride in Switzerland, in the101st running of the Zurich Grand Prix. I’ll be on Vivalko, on which I won at Avenches,” Bartoš says.

In the months to come, Bartoš will be riding in northern Europe. “On May 18th, I’ve been invited for the farewell meeting at the historic Täby racecourse, and I also have an invitation for the Swedish Grand National at Strömsholm, which will be run on June 11th, clashing with Pardubice. However, I think that for once I’ll give priority to a ride abroad. The opportunity to discover new places attracts me,” our top jumps jockey admits.

Based on an article by Petr Malik in Czech language on the Galopp Reporter website.