Hello Graham,

You are quite right. Vladimir David is the photgrapher of the book. Let me tell you that it is quite a rarity. In the national library, they have a single copy of the book only and you cannot even get to see it. I am in Pardubice at least once per yer (although I have not seen the race except on TV since 1999), and the book is just impossible to find. But I will keep looking for it. it must be lying around somewhere.

About the course, I have once had the opportunity to walk the entire course undisturbed 9I was young). Then you really get an idea what a bizarre task it is for horse and jockey to run this incredible race.

Anyway, have fun in two weeks!

Mark

An excellent website which I always utilise to the full prior to my annual pilgrimage
to the Czech Rep during the second weekend in October.
Thank You for it's contents.

Thanks for your excellent website.

Two friends and I are heading to Prague this weekend with the focus Sunday's Pardubice. Your website is extremely useful on the big race but I'm still struggling to work out what further information will be available on all 8 races and most notably is there a Czech version of the Racing Post....in English?! !

From previous trips abroad I suspect the answer is 'no' but equally I expect you'll know where I can find form details, weights, tips etc. Any other hints and tips welcome! Thanks

Paul
Post time for the first race is 11.10. The Velka is the 8th & final race on the card at 15.40. It is a long day but all the races are championship events.

Chris

Hi can ahyone let mw know the time for the first race on sunday this year please.
Thanks
Paul

The racecard is in Czech but does have English sections on each race and there will be comments on each of the Velka runners in English

Chris

Great site Mark,
I usually go to the Arc every year. But I am intrigued about the Velka and I am going this year. As a matter of interest is there any english language race cards or form guides on the day?

Best regards and keep up the good work on the site, it is a great contribution to horse racing.

Phil from Ireland

For Mark Zaaijer

Hi Mark

The author of "Od startu do cile" is Vladimir David and the book was published in the early 1970's (the introduction was written in 1972), with many of the photos taken from the Velkas of the 1960's.

If you have any knowledge of Czech and are armed with a good dictionary, it is possible to translate the comments made by Rudolf Steyl and Eva Palyzova. . Eva Palyzova rodde in the race several times and was second on Cavalet in 1965 (behind Mocna) and second on Metal in 1971 (to the legendary Kork, rideen by Vaclav Chaloupka).

I saw Eva Palyzova at a sale of yearlings at Napajedla in 1987 and also onthe staircase of the stands at Pardubice when we were over for the 100th running of the Velka in 1990. She was easily recognisable, though like most of us, had changed shape slightly !

Pardubice is a very interesting town and the nearby town of Chrudim has the International Puppet Museum, where those interested can buy excellent puppets at a cheaper price than you would pay in Prague. A little further afield is the town of Svitavy, which is the birthplace of Oskar Schindler, and there is a memorial in the small park opposite the house in which Schindler was born.

I do agree with Paul's posting below - if you do have the time, try to get out of Prague and see more of the very nice Czech countryside. So many visitors just go to Prague and see nothing else of this fascinating country !

Mark, Great website. Might a have a flutter on 'Sixteen.' I've been twice before in 1994 & 1995 & thoroughly enjoyed myself. My advice to anybody going for the first time is to get out of Prague & spend as long as possiblei Pardubice. Check out the Pernstejn Brewery & Pardubicky Porter and stay away from the 'Black Bookmaker' at the racecourse. He'll give you good odds, but he might not be there when you come to collect your winnings! Be lucky. Paul Ryan.