Fourth European Jockeys’ Cup meeting at Prague Velká Chuchle on Saturday, September 22nd. Prize money for the main race is raised to EUR 100 000. 

The three previous European Jockeys’ Cup meetings at Prague Velká Chuchle have been marvellous occasions, and most Czech racing people now consider this the biggest event of the Czech flat racing season. In previous years, star European jockeys, including Cristian Demuro, Gérald Mossé and Vincent Chéminaud, have participated. Last year, the presence of Panagiotis Dimitsanis (picture, after winning a race at EJC 2017), the greatest-ever Greek jockey, was one of many highlights.   

This year the European Jockeys’ Cup (EJC), under the auspices of Leram and Lokotrans, to be run on Saturday, September 22nd, will pass another milestone. The main event in the fourth EJC meeting at Prague Velká Chuchle will be the EJC Leram Million (1400 m), the richest flat race in the central European region, with prize money of CzK 2 600 000, equivalent to EUR 100 000. The second highest prizemoney in central Eurpean flat racing is for the Czech Derby, which will run run at Prague Velká Chuchle on Sunday, June 24th. “We’re looking for the highest quality field of runners in Czech history. Together with elite jockeys, this should simply be a unique event,” says Tomáš Machovský, on behalf of the organizers. 

There is some high-quality material from last year to build on. Last year’s winner of the EJC Leram Million, Ultimate Fight, finished 4th in a listed race in France earlier this year, and second-placed Troizilet recently won the EUR 70 000 Grand Handicap de l’Inauguration de Paris-Longchamps.

There is also raised prizemoney for the other major races at the EJC meeting - the EJC Middle, the EJC Long and the Gerscha Memorial - which will each carry prizemoney of CzK 600 000 (EUR 23 000). EJC day will therefore underline its position as the richest race day in Central Europe. Tomáš Machovský says,  “All this is due to the efforts of the main partners of the European Jockeys’ Cup. The EJC Million will again be supported by Leram. The EJC Middle has Lokotrans as its sponsor, and Pemat Trading is sponsoring the EJC Long. I want to express my deep gratitude to them on behalf of all horseracing fans. Without major support from our partners it would not be possible to continue to set up the EJC tradition.” 

The organizers are making intensive efforts to raise the sporting level of the EJC meeting. They are working on attracting not only top European jockeys but also major racehorse owners. As the organizers point out, “In recent years, Czech-trained horses have been making their mark in major races abroad in western Europe, especially in France. We therefore do not have to fear high-quality competition from abroad. Our racegoers at Prague Velká Chuchle deserve a top-class event like this.” 

Entries for the main races close on Thursday, May 31st, with scratchings and supplementary entries on July 19th, August 23rd and September 13th. In mid August, a provisional list of participating jockeys will be available. The participating jockeys will be specified after the last entries are made. Before the declaration to run, owners and trainers will be able to select a rider for their horse. As in previous years, all entered horses will be be put into an order according to their handicap rating, and the connections of the highest-rated horse will have the first choice among the jockeys. 

The EJC will include a rich programme of accompanying events, and the whole afternoon will be broadcast live on Czech Television.

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based on a press release issued by EJC. Translated by Robin.