The Czech St Leger was run at Prague Velká Chuchle on Sunday October 1st. Since the Czech Derby, which provided a stunningly unexpected result at the end of a very strange race, we have been waiting to see which, if any, can claim to be our best 3-y-o staying colt of 2017. Derby winner Joseph ran down the field again, as he had in his only race since the Derby.

Four years ago, I wrote a short article on this topic, and I do not think I could do anything better now that I am four years older.

http://www.dostihovy-svet.cz/en/node/2762

Jan Faltejsek may have failed over a number of years to catch the eye of English trainers and owners, but in central Europe he is very well established as a top steeplechase jockey. Last Sunday he gave Al Bustan a masterly ride to victory in the Gran Premio di Merano, coming with a strong late run from towards the back of the field.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhJFKNkr-7s

From Prague Vaclav Havel Airport to the main railway station

September 24^th was the highpoint of the Italian steeplechasing season at Merano, and the Gran Premio Merano Alto Adige was again won by a Czech-trained horse.

Sunday is Gran Premio day at Merano in northern Italy. In addition to strong contenders trained in France,  Germany and Italy, there is strong Czech representation.

Five horses have been supplemented for the Velka Pardubicka, which will be run at Pardubice racecourse on Sunday, October 9^th. Thirty-eight horses are now entered for the race.

Despite his saddles going missing, and despite drawing mainly mediocre horses to ride, the greatest Greek jockey, Panagiotis Dimitsanis, was full of smiles at the European Jockeys Cup meeting at Prague Velká Chuchle, as is recorded by Hellas Horseraces Weekly Newsletter of September 5^th (in English)

Very few people in Czech horseracing would deny that the betting at our racecourses is very unsatisfactory – and many would say that “very unsatisfactory” is an understatement. Betino, the only company that offers off-line odds at our racecourses, offers poor odds, has low turnover and high overheads, is heavily taxed, and has managed to contribute only a small amount to Czech racing.