At Czech Horseracing's  Gala Evening, again held in Prostejov this January, the voting for the best horse of the year reflected just how open most of the categories were. Best sprinter, best miler and best 3-y-o were all difficult to select. The best steeplechaser, on the basis of her fine win in the Velka Pardubicka, was Orphee des Blins. Her only major challenger for the overall title was 4-y-o Donn Halling, owned by MAENTIVA, trained by Vaclav Luka, jnr., winner of four of his six races this year, ending with victory in the Italian St Leger. Orphee des Blins, owned by Pegas (Jiri Travnicek) and trained by Greg Wroblewski, beat Donn Halling by just two votes, the equivalent of a short head.