October 20^th, 2022 is the 70^th birthday of Josef Váňa, the most successful jockey and trainer in the history of the Velka Pardubicka. He won the race 8 times as a jockey, and he has also won it 11 times as a trainer. His first win as a jockey was in 1987 on Železník, on which he won the race four times. His other wins were on Vronsky and three times on Tiumen. His last win on Tiumen was in 2011, shortly before his 59^th birthday. His first win as a trainer was in 1996, with Cipísek, and his most recent win was in 2017 with Theophilos.

As a jockey, Josef Váňa rode successfully in Germany after the changes in 1989. As a trainer, he has taken horses to run abroad mainly in Italy, with very considerable success. He has three times won the Gran Premio Merano, the top steeplechase in Italy. The name of Josef Váňa is linked above all with steeplechasing, but he is also established as a top trainer of flat horses. He has trained three winners of the Czech Derby.

At the age of 70, Josef Váňa continues to be a top trainer. He is also the active president of the Czech Steeplechase Association and vice-president of the Jockey Club of the Czech Republic, and a very strong, highly-respected and wise voice in Czech horseracing.