Prague Velka Chuchle racecourse is entirely covered with muddy water, and it is clear that the last two meetings before the summer break cannot be held there. Karlovy Vary racecourse, which is the best available alternative for the Czech Derby, is also not in a fit state. The Czech Derby was scheduled for June 23rd at Prague Velka Chuchle. Discussions are taking place about what to do, and an announcement is expected today.  (The only realistic options are Most racecourse, or postponement, or both)
 

Prague Velka Chuchle racecourse is now completely under water, and the horses that are trained at the racecourse have been moved out. See the latest pictures from the racecourse webcam.  http://www.dostihyjc.cz/mapy.php?ID=1.

I am told that May was an unusually cool and wet month here – but I think those of you living in northern Europe, would happily have exchanged your weather for ours in the past month. Except in the mountains, we did not have a frost in May.

The first of the four qualification races for the Velka Pardubicka, the Town of Pardubice Grand Prix, 5 800 metres, crosscountry, was run on good ground on May 26^th, an overcast, cool afternoon. The prize money, CzK 300 000, was 50% higher than in previous years.

The opening day of the 2013 season at Pardubice was a sunny, pleasantly warm early May day. Jiri Janda and his team had the course in good condition. Unusually, each of the nine races was won by a different rider, though Josef Vana and Frantisek Holcak each trained two winners.