The four qualification races over 5800 metres at Pardubice racecourse will, as usual, be the main preparatory races for Czech-trained and Slovak-trained contenders for the Velka Pardubicka, which will be run on Sunday, October 11^th.

We are very sad to hear about the death of Liam Treadwell, at the age of 34. Liam achieved lasting fame by winning the Aintree Grand National on outsider Mon Mome. He was also a popular visiting jockey at Pardubice. He twice rode Trezor to victory in Velka Pardubicka qualification races, in 2012, but he finished only 8^th in the Velka itself on well-fancied Trezor.  

May 2020 was warm and dry at first, but long-term readers of these newsletters may recall that I tend to warn them in advance not to plant their carrots until the days of the ice saints have passed. St. Pankrac’s day is May 12^th , St Servac is celebrated on May 13^th, and St. Bonifac on May 14^th.

As soon as the Czech authorities announced, a couple of weeks ago, that sports events could go ahead as from Monday, May 18^th, the Jockey Club of the Czech Republic promptly announced the race conditions for a meeting at Most racecourse, on Monday May 18^th. The meeting will be held behind closed doors, under strict health regulations. No doubt, the racecourse and the racing authorities will do their best to comply with the regulations, and everything will surely be carefully monitored.

Entries have closed for the 130^th running of the Velka Pardubicka, which will be run at Pardubice racecourse on Sunday, October 11^th. Late entries can be made until September 24^th.

This tribute to Tomáš Hurt, whose recent death on his 38^th birthday has greatly saddened the Czech horseracing community, was written by Martin C

April 2020 was different. April is supposed to be a month of changeable weather, when the Czech horseracing season springs into action after a long break due to wintry weather.

The government of the Czech Republic has approved rules for winding down the extra-ordinary measures, as from May 11^th. These include holding horse races, with a maximum of 100 people participating. The State of Emergency will come to an end on May 17^th.

Winnings from races abroad play a very major role in the budgets of Czech and Czech-registered owners.

I started writing this January 2020 newsletter, and then I thought I had better reread the December 2019 newsletter. I am glad I did. If there is one thing worse than repeating oneself, it is repeating oneself without recognizing it.