Tomorrow, on Sunday, 13th October 2024, the most prestigious horse race in the Czech Republic, the Velká Pardubická, will once again captivate racing fans in Pardubice. This historic event, inspired by the Grand National in Liverpool, is recognised as one of the oldest and most challenging steeplechases in Europe.
The Velká Pardubická has been a celebrated tradition since 1874, with the race being held in the town of Pardubice in Eastern Bohemia. Taking place annually on the second Sunday of October, the course is infamous for its gruelling obstacles, with only a few horses typically managing to cross the finish line.
Racing enthusiasts won’t want to miss the start of this thrilling event, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, 13th October 2024.
Few other sporting events in the Czech Republic boast such a long and storied history as this steeplechase. To put it in perspective, when the Czechoslovak football league first began, the Velká Pardubická had already been held for fifty years! The term “Velká Pardubická” has since become synonymous with the entire race weekend.
The main programme spans the whole day, with eight races scheduled. The highlight, of course, is the Velká Pardubická Steeplechase itself, traditionally starting around 4 pm. Horses typically finish the demanding course in around 9 to 10 minutes, though the record remains at 8 minutes and 56 seconds, set in 2015 by RIBELINO, ridden by jockey Pavel Kašný. Between 15 and 20 horses are expected to participate this year.
Apart from the disruptions caused by the two World Wars and the 1968 Russian invasion, the race has only been cancelled twice – once in 1909 when no horse finished, and again in 1920 when the sole horse that completed the course was disqualified for exceeding the time limit.
The 6.9-kilometre track is punctuated by 31 challenging obstacles. To qualify, horses must be at least six years old, and Czech horses must also prove their mettle in at least one of four qualification races during the season.
One of the most iconic and daunting obstacles on the course is the “Velký Taxisův příkop” (Great Taxis Ditch), notorious for being the most difficult jump in the entire race. In 1994, the ditch’s original depth of two metres was reduced to one metre due to safety concerns. Today, horses must clear a 580 cm-wide obstacle, a significant reduction from the former 650 cm, but it remains a formidable challenge.
For equestrian sports lovers, the Velká Pardubická is more than just a race; it’s an enduring symbol of tradition, bravery, and skill. Be sure to tune in this Sunday for an unforgettable spectacle!
134. Velká pardubická
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Tickets
