Chairman of Dostihovy spolek stands down

After just ten months as chairman of the board of Dostihovy spolek, Jan Nemec has stood down. Jan Nemec came in as a crisis manager after Dostihovy spolek chairman Mirek Petran was ousted. In May 2011, racecourse manager Jiri Kunat was replaced by Petr Buchal, another crisis manager. Various other staff changes have taken place at Dostihovy spolek, and most of the people with long-term experience of horseracing have gone. The departure of Jan Nemec will most likely lead to a domino effect.

The Velka Pardubicka is under no long-term threat. The Town of Pardubice owns the racecourse and is committed to the future of the race. It must now decide whether what has been, in effect, direct rule from Town Hall is the best way forward.

At least one apparently well-qualified team (a team spearheaded by Josef Vana) has been campaigning to take over the organization of events at Pardubice racecourse.