In 2013, the meetings of the Czech Steeplechase Association (ČASCH) and the Czech Association of Thoroughbred Breeders and Racehorse Owners (ČSCHPMDK) suddenly became exciting events.

In February, the board of ČASCH used an interpretation of its constitution to foil an attempt to bring in new blood. Long-term chairman Luboš Hrubý retained his position, and Čestmír Olehla, associated with the “rebels”, was replaced by  Jaroslav Votava. For details, see http://www.dostihovy-svet.cz/en/node/1126

At the meeting of ČSCHPMDK in March, the “rebels” succeeded in taking over the leadership positions. Jiří Trávníček was elected the new president. For details, seehttp://www.dostihovy-svet.cz/en/node/1231.

Now, at the meeting of  ČASCH at Pardubice racecourse on December 14th, the “rebels” took over. Čestmír Olehla was elected president of the association.

ČSCHPMDK and ČASCH have not been very active or influential organizations of owners and breeders in the past. However, each has a considerable proportion of the seats on the Council of the Jockey Club of the Czech Republic, and is what has made them worth taking over.

Following the meeting on December 14th, ČASCH will be represented on the Council of the Jockey Club by Čestmír Olehla – after one year of absence – and by three brand-new members, Soňa Froňková, Luděk Mikulecký and Milan Theimer. ČASCH general secretary Jaroslav Jelínek retains his seat on the Council.

Earlier in the year, ČSCHPMDK’s seats on the Council of the Jockey Club went to Jiří Trávníček, Jiří Charvát, Zdeňek Jandejsek, Rajmund Pavla and Martin Bláha.

The Council of the Jockey Club, and also the leadership of  ČASCH and ČSCHPMDK, now have a lot of new and younger blood. Their leading positions are now held by able people who have achieved distinction either inside racong, or outside racing, or both. My only question is what proportion of their energy they will now be able to put into their work in these associations and on the council of the Jockey Club of the Czech Republic. They are, after all, people with companies to run, or with horses to train.

Long-term president of the Jockey Club, Vaclav Luka, has lost some old men whose main function was to raise their hands every time he made a suggestion. They have been replaced by a group of dynamic people, headed by Jiří Trávníček at ČSCHPMDK and by Čestmír Olehla at ČASCH.

The balance of power at the top of Czech racing has certainly moved. To what extent, and in what ways, is the new situation going to change Czech racing?