James Fry: What stops British and Irish horses running in the Velka Pardubicka

With the Czech racing season well and truly put to bed during these long winter months it could be a good a time as any to reflect on what has  gone on at Pardubice Racecourse and also time to think on what may happen in the future to one of the greatest jumping spectacles anywhere in the world.

It is common knowledge that there has been unrest at Dostihovy Spolek for a number of years and in the past 12 months there have been many changes on the board of directors and in the management as well.

In recent weeks there has been the formation of yet another board of directors, who have been entrusted in steering this listed ship out of danger. They are in an incredibly difficult situation and no-one envies them in the task that lies ahead.

There is talk of the legendary Josef Vana being part of a consortium to take over the running of the racecourse and even whisperings of an increase of prize money. However, if the great man thinks that an increase in prize money is going to turn the Velka Pardubicka into a major International event that he believes it no longer is, then I am afraid he may have to rethink.

The Czechs are an extremely passionate nation when it comes to their own country but maybe just maybe they are somewhat blinkered by their own traditions and need to take those blinkers off to make them realise what actually goes on in the rest of the world when it comes to national hunt racing.

The legend himself expressed that a different approach to having international runners would have to be made but he and the rest of the Czech nation may like to give the following matters serious thought.

National Hunt racing in England and Ireland only really starts getting into full swing towards the middle to end of November and when the Velka Pardubicka is run on the second week in October many if not all of the top notch steeplechasers are still not fully fit and would certainly not be in tip top condition to make the trip to the Czech Republic after their summer break from racing.

Many trainers in England and Ireland have targets for their top horses, which unfortunately do not include the Velka Pardubicka and regardless of what carrot you dangle in front of them they are not going to change their ways and their targets for the season. It is hoped that with a change in the rules of the Crystal Cup (providing the Velka Pardubicka  remains a part of the series) that this will encourage more overseas raiders to Pardubice.

One of the most important aspects that the Czechs should think about is the type of horse that competes or should compete in the Velka Pardubicka. With only three cross-country races in England and the same in Ireland it is not very often that horses get a chance to race under these different conditions and therefore there really is no such thing as a specialised cross-country horse (just occasionally one does come along but not very often).  And with Czech national hunt racing comprising mainly cross-country racing, horses that do venture from the English/Irish shores face an uphill task against what can only be described as professional horses in their own field.

Another hugely important matter is the cost to owners of entering and transporting their horses down to Pardubice. The initial entry fee, which is due in May (which for overseas horses is far far too early) is acceptable at 10,000kc (390 euros) but after that if you wish to enter at the different entry stages it costs ridiculous amounts;  45,000Kc (1,757 euros), 92,000Kc (3,591 euros), 100,000Kc (3,903 euros) and then to cap it all you have the declaration fee of 45,000Kc (1,757 euros).

So taking the entry fees and transport costs into consideration which would come to approximately 98,425Kc (3,842 euros for England) and 112,898Kc (4,407 euros for Ireland) , which is partially reduced by the travel allowance given by Pardubice Racecourse (but in the current state, will they be able to pay this?), it seems highly unlikely that an English or Irish horse is going to travel all the way to the Czech Republic at quite a considerable cost to take on specialist cross-country horses in their own back yard.

Taking all the above points into consideration, there have only been three occasions in the past 15 years when there has not been an overseas runner in the Velka Pardubicka, which is not a bad record and can be attributed to a Czech racing enthusiast who is no longer part of the set up at Pardubice Racecourse.

Finally there is one question for all Czech people who follow national hunt racing.

The Aintree Grand National is worth seven times more in prize money than the Velka Pardubicka

How many Czech runners have there been in Aintree in the past 15 years?

(Answers, please, on a post-card!!!)

James Fry

(James Fry has for several years been Pardubice Dostihovy Spolek's contact person in the UK)