The Devil's race

[Tim Y]

When October rolls around most (me included) think about the Gran Prix de la 'Arc de Triomphe but every 2nd Sunday in October since 1874, in the Czech Republic, the Gran Velká pardubická is re-run in Prague.

This has been deemed one of the most difficult and dangerous steeplechases on earth going over 31 obstacles over a picturesque course that weaves back and forth along a 4 mile 506 yard course. Along the way, is the dreaded Taxis jump (This is the most famous obstacle in the race, and it is jumped just once. 28 horses have died at this obstacle. In the past it consisted of a 2 m deep and 5 m long ditch hidden behind a 1.5 m high hedge. It was changed before the 1994 race to be a 1 m deep and 4 m long ditch with a 1.5 m high hedge. For the 2021 race the obstacle will have a 0.75 m deep ditch and 5 m long ditch with a 1.35 m to 1.45 m high hedge. This obstacle is used only for the Velká pardubická, and horses are not permitted to use it for training.)

Imagine your horse clears this hedge and then is looking at both along stretch ahead and that surprise deep ditch.

The surface of the racecourse is mainly grass, but one-quarter of the race is run through ploughed fields, which used to take almost half of the race in the past. Some obstacles have also been changed, mostly to improve safety, although the difficulty of the race is said to have suffered as a result.

Historically, the most successful horse in the race was Železník. The horse won the race four times (from 1987 to 1989 and again in 1991). The 1937 Grand Pardubice was the last race held for nearly a decade. The 1938 race was called off following the Munich agreement and not run during World War II.

It is a wild ride and many jump jocks come in to try their luck but few "outsiders" do all that well the first attempt.

Check it out on You Tube sometime Literally amazing

[The Pook]

Interesting story Tim. That race is from a different time. I find ordinary steeplechases too cruel a test for horses, let alone that one. It’s like they are trying their best to cause injury and suffering. WTF?

BTW, it looks you aren’t named “Turf Historian” for nothing.

Good stuff,
Pook

[Tim Y]

I have to agree. Man steeple chases have bowed to public pressure to reduce the danger. I recall the fight they went through to change Beecher's Brook at Aintree for the Grand National but it now is safer by far.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...ng-side-raised

Most of the "jumper's" racing today is, thankfully, hurdle racing with flexible tops to the jumps

[Tim Y]

Here is a version of it on You Tube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNfmmaTZlWU