On a scale of tough races around the world, there are quite a few that stand out. We all know how difficult the Grand National is at Aintree but there are certainly one or two others that could give it a run for its money.
There’s the Grand Annual in Warrnambool, Australia that has 33 obstacles and is roughly around 5500 meters because so much of it is run on open paddocks that nobody quite knows how long it is.
And then there’s the Velká Pardubická in the Czech Republic, with arguably an even tougher reputation than Aintree.
The race itself is approximately 4.3 miles long and features a total of 31 obstacles, which include fences, ditches, and hedges.
The layout is designed to test both the stamina and skill of the horses and their jockeys and includes the infamous ‘Taxis Ditch’, which is considered one of the most difficult and dangerous jumps in the world of steeplechase racing.
If all of that wasn’t bad enough, the Velká Pardubická is not even really run on a proper racecourse.
Instead, the course is natural and includes plowed fields, water jumps, and other rugged terrains.
Betting odds and markets are hugely popular, given how difficult it is. So make sure that you tune in on Sunday, 13 October 2024, as fans and viewers from all over the world gather to watch this great race.
British and Irish Winners
While the Velká pardubická has primarily been dominated by Czech and Eastern European horses and jockeys, there have been plenty of instances of British and Irish winners
One of the most memorable British victories came in 1995 when the horse Its A Snip, trained and ridden by Charlie Mann, won the race.
The victory marked a significant breakthrough for British horses in a race that was historically difficult for non-local competitors to conquer.
It also highlighted the ability of British horses and jockeys to tackle the uniquely challenging Pardubice course.
Representing Ireland, Risk of Thunder, trained by Enda Bolger, was another significant participant in the Velká pardubická and highlighted the race’s ability to attract top talent from Ireland.
More recently, British-bred No Time To Lose won in 2017, though to clarify, both trainer and jockey were from the Czech Republic.
While the race may not generate as many Irish and British winners, their participation is significant for several reasons, not least of which is that high-quality international competitors raise the overall standards of the race.
It also broadens the appeal and elevates the profile of the Czech race, attracting more spectators and media attention from around the world.
How Does It Compare To The Aintree Grand National?
These two races are often compared simply because they are two of the toughest steeplechases in the world.
They are virtually the same length, and while Aintree boats 30 obstacles over the course of the race, the Pardubice course has 33 of them.
Both races have a long history, with the Grand National starting in 1839, slightly earlier than the Velká pardubická, which was first run in 1874.
In terms of prize money, the Grand National offers a lot more, with £1 million on the table. In contrast, the Czech race only has a prize fund of around £180,000.
Historically, the bulk of Grand National entries and winners are either British or Irish, whereas the Velká pardubická attracts a lot more international participation.
French, Polish, British, German, and American-bred horses have all won this race since 2005.
winning Jockeys have come from Slovakia, Germany, Russia, and Britain, and Polish trainer Grzegorz Witold Wroblewski even won this race in three consecutive years with Orphee des Blins in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Despite this, the Aintree Grand National receives far more extensive media coverage worldwide, making it more famous globally.
However, given how extraordinarily tough the race is to navigate, the Velká pardubická is arguably the more difficult race of the two to win.
Most Difficult Obstacles In The Race
The Velká pardubická is famous for its challenging course, filled with numerous difficult obstacles.
Here are the top five most difficult obstacles to navigate:
Taxis Ditch
The Taxis Ditch is the most infamous obstacle in the Velká pardubická and is considered one of the most challenging jumps in the world of steeplechase racing.
It is a massive ditch jump that combines a large hedge with a wide, deep ditch on the landing side.
The hedge is approximately 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) high, and the ditch behind it is about 5 meters (16 feet) wide.
Horses need to clear both the hedge and the ditch in a single leap and the ditch is not visible until the horses are airborne.
Irish Bank
The Irish Bank is another challenging obstacle that requires horses to jump up onto a bank and then jump off it on the other side.
The bank is covered with grass and can be slippery, especially in wet conditions, and it tests the horse’s ability to handle uneven terrain and sudden changes in elevation.
Popkovice Turn
The Popkovice Turn is a sharp, left-hand turn immediately followed by a fence jump that requires precise control and timing from the jockey to navigate the turn and then immediately prepare for the jump.
The combination of a tight turn and a jump places significant demands on both horse and rider and misjudging it can lead to a poor approach to the jump, increasing the risk of a fall.
Havel’s Jump
Named after the famous Czech jockey Václav Havel, this jump involves a large hedge with a significant drop on the landing side and is one of the taller jumps on the course.
The height of the hedge and the drop require precise jumping ability and strong hindquarters from the horse, and the jockey must land perfectly to avoid injury or loss of momentum.
The Water Trough
This is the largest water obstacle in the race and, prior to the 1990s, used to be 2m deep.
But that was so difficult that it has since been changed to 4.5m wide with a 0.7m lower rebound compared to the original.
Conclusion
Like so many other famous races around the world, the Velká pardubická is steeped in history and tradition.
You don’t get to run a race this well known worldwide for over 150 years without creating a challenging course.
While it may not have the same global fame as the Aintree Grand National, its unique challenges make it a fascinating event in the world of steeplechase racing.
