The Wielka Wroclawska was, as expected, a contest between two Czech-trained horses. Sergeant Thunder, trained by František Holčák and ridden by Marek Stromský, won fairly comfortably from 2015 winner, Delight my Fire, trained by Radim Bodlák and ridden by Swedish jockey, Niklas Lovén. Third place also went to a Czech-trained gelding, Pareto.

The Wielka Partynicka, over hurdles, was won by Calvados, trained in Sweden by Dennis Persson and ridden by Niklas Lovén. Lovén also had two winners in the side races, Finés and Taurito, which are both trained in the Czech Republic by Radim Bodlák.

There has been very little steeplechasing in Sweden this year, but great efforts are being made to keep the sport alive until the Bro Park racecourse in Stockholm is ready for races over fences. Two races on September 24th at Strömsholm have been announced. This is the first time in years that there will be two racedays at Strömsholm in a year. It is not easy to arrange races there – for example there is no water or electricity available. In addition, the racecourse is in a nature reserve, which means that permission from the authorities is needed and can be quite hard to receive. However, this year it will happen! It will not be anything like the Grand National day and the set up will probably be more similar to a point-to-point meeting. Only two races will be run, a novice steeplechase over 3500m (for horses that have won two or less races, SEK 35,000 to the winner)  and steeplechase over 4200m (SEK 40,000 to the winner). Both will be run over the same course as the novice steeplechase on Grand National day at Strömsholm, thus avoiding some of the difficulties. Entries close on Monday 12th September at 2pm, and if anyone from Czech Republic is interested in taking part, inquiries and entries should be e-mailed to sport@svenskgalopp.se.

I presume that Radim Bodlák, who trains several horses in the Czech Republic for Swedish owners, will be making the long journey to Strömsholm, which is 100 km west of Stockholm.