This interview conducted by Petr Guth first appeared in the Czech language pages of the Dostihovy Svet webpages

Jan Faltejsek is preparing to come from a place 1 800 kilometres away to defend last year’s victory in the Velka Pardubicka. He works there, near to the Atlantic shore, for French trainer Guillaume Macaire, who is currently the most successful racehorse trainer in France. The Czech jockey has worked his way up into the top ten jumps jockeys in France, so Faltejsek comes for the Velka fortified by his successes in a country that is incomparably more mature in horseracing terms than the Czech Republic. However, as he remains a Czech, he is looking forward to this year’s Velka and to visiting Pardubice [which is his home town], and is coming to do his best to defend last year’s triumph …

What is the main difference for you between the 2012 Velka Pardubicka and the 2013 Velka Pardubicka?

This year I think I am looking forward to the afternoon more. I want to really enjoy it. Last year, I was riding a series of horses that I did not have as  much faith in as I have in these six that I have this year. Of course, I’m looking forward most to the Velka, but there are some other big and interesting races, and I would like to do well. It will certainly be hard work. You don’t get to ride six races in an afternoon in France …

No doubt you have been giving most attention to your ride on Orphee des Blins. Do you already know what your tactics will be in the race?

Whatever instructions [trainer] Greg Wroblewski gives me. Tactics is a matter for the trainer, I will just be trying to keep to them, and I hope it will all work out.

You’ve had two meetings with Orphee des Blins this year [two winning rides at Pardubice, in June and in August]. Did you have the same feelings with her as you did in last year’s Velka Pardubicka?

She certainly went well, but these were above all preparatory races for the Velka. In her first outing this year [in a two-mile crosscountry chase] in a short-distance race, she had a bit of difficulty catching the others, but in the end she did it, just as we wanted. In the other outing, we tried out some different tactics, which she dealt with satisfactorily. I think the tactics will work out on Sunday too …

When you look at the list of runners and riders, do you see anything that surprises or worries you?

No, I don’t have any worries before the Velka. There are some things among the runners and riders that I don’t fully understand. I don’t know why someone would invite a young amateur rider from abroad for the Velka. However, it’s a matter for the owners and trainers. I only hope everything will be in order out on the course. 

Was it complicated to get time off for the Velka Pardubicka from your job in France? How long will you be staying in the Czech Republic?

Mr Macaire has been reckoning with me riding in the Velka, so I did not have any trouble getting time off. I’m a bit upset about missing a ride in quite a big crosscountry steeplechase in France, in which we should have a good chance. But that’s life, there’s nothing to be done about it. This time I’ll have a free day in Pardubice on Monday, so I don’t have to hurry back too much. I’m really glad that I don’t have to travel back by car. 1600 kilometres is very tiring when there is just one driver.

You mentioned French racing – are you pleased with your results there?

I certainly am. I’ve just finished second and third, and last weekend I rode a winner. During the week there are some races at Auteuil … There is plenty going on, and always something to do. Fortunately, I’ve been doing pretty well …

So there’s not going to be a repeat of the situation last year, when you changed your place of work after the Velka and went to work for Mr Macaire? No thoughts of switching around this autumn?

No way. I’m very satisfied here [in France], even though there is an ongoing battle with other jockeys over who is going to get the rides, and it is sometimes difficult to come out on top. I’m certainly not getting ready to move on, not until the trainer wants to get rid of me …

By the way, can we look forward to the leading French trainer coming back to Pardubice in the future?

Yes, I think so. Mr Macaire likes challenges, like Merano and the Velka Pardubicka. However, he didn’t go to Merano this year, because the Italians don’t pay out the prize money. He thought long and hard about Pardubice, but in the end there was no suitable horse for the race in the yard. The one we wanted to bring at first didn’t have the necessary performance. But I would say that trainer Macaire and his horse will come to Pardubice quite soon.

For now, he will have to make do with having Jan Faltejsek in the saddle of French-bred Orphee des Blins. Many Pardubice racegoers are also looking forward to it, too.

***

Jan Faltejsek is a particular hero of this internationally-oriented website. Jan has worked enormously hard to earn recognition in the western European countries where steeplechasing is most strongly rooted. Since his win on Orphee des Blins in last year’s VP, this 30-year-old Czech jockey has moved from being highly considered in the Czech Republic and Italy, to being a top 10 steeplechase jockey in France.

He has an excellent chance of winning the race on the favourite on Sunday, with full support from the Dostihovy Svet English pages for their favourite jockey on their favourite horse.