Richard Benýšek: The Velka Pardubicka brand may be a trump card for Pardubice

Some weeks ago, Richard Benýšek became president of Dostihovy Spolek, the association that organises events at Pardubice racecourse. This interview, conducted by Petr Guth, appeared on the Czech language web pages of Dostihovy Svet on March 24th, 2013:


Your name is not well-known in horseracing circles. Could you sketch in your links with horses and with horseracing?
I’ve been moving an an environment linked with horses and horseracing for quite a long time. The Bělecký Mlýn company has become a Dostihovy Spolek shareholder. Apart from its hotel accommodation [10 km west of Prostejov], Bělecký Mlýn has an equestrian area where horses can be stabled. I am myself a horsebreeder, and racing and showjumping are sports that I like a lot.


What was your motivation for joining the board of Dostihovy Spolek and then becoming its head
I approach this acquisition like any other business undertaking. Dostihovy Spolek is a business association which has to offer high-quality services and generate an income. I see big prospects, but plenty of work lies ahead. We have acquired almost 23% of the shares, and we are the biggest private investor. This acquisition fits in with our business. We‘ve been involved in horsebreeding and equestrian sport for a long time. A whole series of racehorses have been stabled at Bělecký Mlýn. And Franta Zobal, winning Velka Pardubicka jockey, worked there for a long time!


Have you set some  personal target that you would like to achieve while you are leading Dostihovy Spolek? Where do you see the weak points, and where do you see the strengths in Dostihovy Spolek at the present time?
Horseracing is an attractive  sport, and I would like to bring as many spectators as possible, not only for the Velka, but also for the other events organised by DS. So I’ve hinted at a weak point. Most people know about the Velka, but they are not aware of the other events. The fragmentation in the leadership of Dostihovy Spolek was a weakness – each person had his own viewpoint. The brand linked with the Velka is a strong point.
 
In a conversation after you took on a function in Dostihovy Spolek your nickname "The Executioner" was  mentioned. Should someone in horseracing be afraid of this name?
Quite honestly, I don’t know where this nickname came from. It’s the first time I’ve heard it. I should say it is something that I have got from the media. I can be tough in managing companies, but I certainly don’t like this label. So some people can be afraid of me, but not because I’m an "executioner".
 
After an unsure year in 2011, last year was a big turn for the better for Dostihovy Spolek, in the eyes of the horseracing public.
Nevertheless, you are going into 2013 with changes of personnel in the leading positions. Why did this happen?


This is a logical step after a change in the shareholding structure. I repeat that Bělecký Mlýn is the biggest private shareholder in Dostihovy Spolek,  and it is normal for an investor to arrive not only with ideas about how an association will function, but also about people. Our long-term plan is to evaluate our contribution, to ensure stability and make steps towards growth. We have become shareholders with everthing that that involves, including administering what we own properly. I will  certainly be supported not only by my long-term experience of crisis management and leadership positions, but also by a team of people.
 
The unfavourable economic situation in our country has been putting a brake on the development of horseracing in general. Do you see any trump card for racing in Pardubice with which to face up to the economic climate as a whole?
Perhaps the Velka brand, and the fact that we are not starting from scratch. We have a product that is generally received positively. Put like that, it sounds simple, but I see a lot of work to be done inside the company in the matter of financial stability, and also outside the company, to attract people even in hours of difficulty.


Pardubice racecourse has recently signalled that it will extend its horseracing operations to so-called bumpers. Finally, it seems that this project has come to a stop in mid path. How do you see the future for this project? Is racing at Pardubice about more than just the Velka for you, and is it about racing over fences throughout the season?


We have to try something out, because if you do nothing you may not do any damage, but you won’t bring anything in. It all depends on how much interest there is, and on what can be done financially.
 
In  connection with Pardubice racecourse, participants in the races have been suffering from the condition of the course and from the technical facilities. After the bad experiences of the year before last, last year saw a turn for the better. As president of the board, can you give an estimate of developments for this year in this field?
We will certainly do all we can for Dostihovy Spolek. However, it is necessary to have in mind that the owner of the real estate is the Town of Pardubice.


If Pardubice were again to put on events for celebrities and personalities, would you ride in them?
Definitely! But I would be even happier to see lots of well-known personalities  who would give the racecourse and Dostihovy Spolek the "stamp of quality" that I’ve been talking about. Then I could just ride around, which is what I like best.