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racecourse. Fortunately, all horses kept at the racecourse were able to be safely transported to several other racecourses. When the water level fell, the exact extent of the damages to the racecourse appeared for the first time, and unfortunately exceeded even the most pessimistic expectations. For the 2002 race season to proceed, all scheduled races had to have been moved to other racecourses in the Czech
Republic. The main racing authority in the country, the Czech Jockey Club, had to be relocated from its offices in the grandstand of the racecourse to other offices.
300:
have any international experience, the racing facilities had not been cared properly for, and were beginning to be in a bad state, and breeding and training methods were deteriorating in quality. Furthermore, other socialist countries, more populous than
Czechoslovakia, such as the Soviet Union, had growing flat racing centers, pushing out Velká Chuchle. In 1965, things had begun to go better for Czechoslovak racing, with Myjavan from Motešice coming within one tenth of a second of Masis' record.
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29:
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Czechoslovak Racing
Institution to take up the Club’s former responsibilities organizing horse racing. After merely three years of existence, the Racing Institution was replaced by Státní závodište, a different racing organization. This organization would regulate flat racing in the Czechoslovak Republic for the next thirty-seven years. These changes did little to affect Velká Chuchle, as top horses were still being produced, ridden and trained by top professionals.
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but the track was nonetheless rendered useless for several months. Reconstructions began, and the first race, a trotters race, was held on 28 July. The Czech St Leger, an important flat race, was delayed by merely one week, impressive considering the extent of the damages. Furthermore, the Czech Derby, the most significant Czech flat race of the year, was hastily relocated to the Most racecourse.
269:, and The Czechoslovak Derby was renamed the Bohemian-Moravian Derby, and from 1940 onwards the Bohemian-Moravian Blue Band. The Nazi's was a reign of terror; Jews were banned from entering the racecourse and were prevented from owning stables. Germans also took leading positions at the jockey club and the Nazis systematically eliminated Czechs from positions of power.
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Horse Racing. The Union of
Czechoslovak Flat Racing organized the second half of the 1991 season. Plans to privatize some operations at the racecourse were elaborated, but the Ministry of Agriculture made an inspection of the racecourse, and after finding it in a desolate state questioned who would seek to privatize such a racecourse.
208:, widely recognized as one of the most successful horses of all time, won three times at this racetrack. However, the 1890s brought flooding that destroyed the track. After the river was regulated to reduce risk of flooding, racing at Císarská louka ended when the area of the island it was located on decreased.
360:
In
November 2001, the Jockey Club of the Czech Republic, the highest racing authority in the country, with support from various investors, bought the facilities at the Velka Chuchle racecourse. A daughter company, TMM (Turf Management and Marketing), was established, and has been organizing racing at
312:
The 1970s were a decade filled with significant events for Velka
Chuchle. First, on 8 April 1973, starting boxes were used for the first time at Velká Chucle. Then, in 1975, the renowned writer Dick Francis visited the racetrack. The 1975 Derby was significant because it was won for the fifth time by
299:
Albeit the first live telecast from Velká Chuchle being on 3 June 1962, Velká Chuchle was losing its position as the site of premier flat racing in
Central Europe. There may have been several reasons for this. First, leading professionals began to leave Velká Chuchle, new jockeys and trainers did not
174:
The Praha-Velká Chuchle racetrack is the center of premier horse racing in the Czech
Republic. It hosts more races than any other Czech racecourse, and its hosted races include the three most prestigious flat races in the country; the Czech Derby, the Czech St Leger, and the Czech 2000 Guineas. These
249:
Starting in 1927, various forms of modern technology were implemented at the racecourse. First, electric lighting was installed in the entire grandstand and the weighing room. Then, in 1930, the
Australian starting machine, which had made its way into all American and Australian racetracks, made its
237:
On 28 March 1919, a meeting of ex-Böhmischer
Rennverein members and other racing enthusiasts were organized at the hotel Saský dvůr, in Prague. There, they founded the Czechoslovak Jockey Club, which adopted the control of the horse racing community of the newly established Czechoslovakian Republic.
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Velká Chuchle's well kept records allowed it access to European racing organizations and authorities without any problems. The victory of the French-bred Ajanta at the first classic race in the new Czech Republic demonstrated that the purchases of quality horses from Western European auctions would
316:
In 1978, a series of successes of the trainer František Vítek and the jockey Vlastimil Smolík began. Smolík won the flat riders' championship 13 years in a row, which brought the time during which he rode to be dubbed the Age of Smolík. while Vítek's horses won for fourteen years in a row, with the
308:
In 1972, an exceptional event transpired at Velká Chuchle. First the first time in its history, the Czechoslovak Derby was won by a woman. Indeed, the chestnut Crapom, ridden by Miloslava Hermansdorferová, won by a record distance of ten lengths. It may even have been possible fofr Hermansdorferová
272:
However, racing at Velká Chuchle did continue. Several horses were very successful throughout the years of the war. These included Simonel, the third winner of the Bohemian-Moravian Blue Band, and Cyklon, who ran 86 times in Prague, Karlovy Vary, and Vienna throughout his career. Cyklon won a total
241:
On 15 March 1920, the first races of the season were held during a 6-day Spring meeting. There, horses owned by the most influential and powerful people in the horse racing community, from the most successful stables, raced. The main race, a 1600m event with 20.000 crowns of prize money, was won by
437:
The track has been used for events other than horse racing. Events held at the racecourse include country music festivals, rock music festivals, children's days, and carnivals. Furthermore, the facilities are available to companies to host their corporate events, include teambuilding and training.
419:
In June 2013, the racecourse was again completely submerged in muddy water from predominantly the Berounka, which runs into the Vltava near the racecourse. Again, all horses were safely transported off the premises before the track was flooded. The flood was not as destructive as the 2002 one was,
339:
In May of the 1991 season, the financial situation turned dire: the racecourse was in debt and stopped functioning. The organization of horse racing at Velká Chuchle turned over to the Association of Professional Trainers, Riders and Grooms, who, thankfully, secured funding from the Fund to Rescue
331:
of 1989 brought with it new socioeconomic conditions to be adapted to by the racetrack. The state of racing had always been an indicator of the nation's progress. For example, the racetrack, which had never lacked for funding under the communist regime, now saw itself at a lack of money. Thus, the
292:
The 1950s say two excellent horses dominate Velká Chuchle; Symbol and Masis, both Derby winners. Aside from horses, Velká Chuchle profited from individuals, namely trainers Jaroslav Houra, Josef Celler, Karel Truhlar, and František Huleš. The elite jockey Karel Havelka dominated the races, and his
280:
From May 1945, firefights sprang up between the Prague Uprising and the retreating German soldiers at Velká Chuchle and other surrounding villages. On 7 May, German troops occupied Velká Chuchle, and some of the 200 horses kept there were transported to municipal stables. On 9 May, when Prague was
214:
Funded by the Rennverein, the construction of a very modern racetrack began in 1899 on land rented at Velká Chuchle. On September 28, 1906, the track was unveiled. The very first horse to win at the track was the mare Vision, ridden by her owner, veterinarian Francis Bartosch, during the Opening
428:
The racecourse has a capacity for 4000 seated, 10000 standing and 800 VIPs. There is complete internal television circuit, including production studio, BOSE surround sound systems in VIP lounges, lighting and projection equipment for the racetrack, Direct Internet connection - 8 x 2Mb, with wifi
335:
While the new grandstand was being built at Velká Chuchle, racing transferred to West Bohemian racecourse at Karlovy Vary. At the beginning of the 1991 season, racing returned to Velká Chuchle, and, in the same year, Vlastimil Smolík won the Czechoslovak Derby for the sixth time, riding Lykeion,
218:
The racetrack was made popular by the various famous jockeys of the time that participated there. These included the Velká Pardubická winners Slinn (1901), Buckenham (1899, 1900, 1904) and Ultirck Rosák (1902,1903). The racetrack hosted important English racing personalities such as trainer John
347:
By 1995, the organizer of racing at Velká Chucle had become insolvent, and the management of Czech flat racing took the decision to transfer racing from Velká Chuchle to racecourses elsewhere in the Czech Republic. The Czech Derby was hosted at Karlovy Vary, and its winner, Regulus, the last
288:
In 1950, in the aftermath of the Second World War, Czechoslovakian stables fell under federal control, and private bookmakers vanished. Furthermore, racing was subsidized federally. With these changes, the Czechoslovak Jockey Club was disbanded, as the Ministry of Agriculture established the
396:
rivers wreaked havoc at the racecourse. Having survived smaller floods, two world wars, and stables fires, the racecourse was accustomed to, and prepared for, such natural and manmade disasters. However, the flooding of 2002 outdid all previous disasters in the damage that it caused to the
256:
In 1931, the Czechoslovak Derby was hosted on 17 May, and it had clearly become the most significant flat racing day of the year, drawing the spectatorship of even the president of the Czechoslovak Republic. In 1937, the Czechoslovak Jockey Club rented the entire grounds until 1948.
245:
Following the success of the Spring meeting, the event was repeated in August and later again in Autumn. Eighty foreign horses were transferred to Czech stables, and many foreigners visited the racetrack, enticed by the strong exchange rates of their currencies against the crown.
309:
to be the first Derby winner in the world, but she broke her leg in 1969, and could only watch as her horse won the Derby with a different jockey. Unfortunately for Velká Chuchle's history, Ina Schwarzkächel won the Dutch Derby in 1970, robbing Hermansdorferová of this honor.
196:
The Böhmischer Rennverein, a Czech horse racing club, campaigned to set up a new horse racecourse in the Prague area. The club was very prestigious; its members included the Archduke Karl Franz Josef, the Governor Earl Karl Coudenhove, and the Lord Mayor of Prague, Dr
233:
The First World War marked the first time that operations at the racecourse were abandoned, and remains the only time for this to happen. The track itself was so devastated that there was little indication that any post-war regeneration of racing would occur.
449:
The grandstand of the racecourse is located 2 minutes by foot from Praha-Velká Chuchle train station. The station is located 5 minutes by train from Praha Smichov station. Buses are available for transport to and from the racecourse.
276:
In 1942, the chestnut stallion Lionel took the racetrack at Velká Chuchle by storm. He won 25 races out of 36 during his 5-year career. His career winnings totaled 1,393,600 crowns, 5 times more than his purchase price as a yearling.
281:
finally celebrating its liberation, Germans troops shot at a munitions train at Velká Chuchle station, which caught fire and set the surrounding area and the wooden stables alight. Three horses died, including the beloved Cyklon.
284:
Private stables began to be nationalized in 1949 and soon after private horse auctions were suspended. The Ministry of Agriculture set up an organization tasked with distributing yearlings to several state-owned stables.
222:
Although the press raved of the opening day at Velká Chuchle, the track remained relatively unknown. Indeed, the only race of great importance held there between 1906 and 1914 was the annual Velká pražská steeplechase.
175:
three races make up the Czech Triple Crown of flat racing, which only seven horses have accomplished in the history of the Czech Republic. The latest, as of 2009, to have done so is the Polish thoroughbred Age of Jape.
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On 26 May 1976, the stallion Masis was put to sleep, and, one year later, La Legion gave birth to his foal at Napajedla. The foal was named Latina, and she was ridden by Smolík, becoming his sixth Derby winning horse.
324:
The 1985 Czechoslovak Derby was the last race to be spectated from the old stands. Shortly after the Derby, the old stands were torn down, and construction of the current grandstand began.
211:
A racetrack at Karlovy Vary was opened in 1899, but it was decided by the Rennverein that this was not near enough to Prague, which was the desired centre of racing in the Czech Republic.
253:
In this year, Jaroslav Houra won the jockey's championship and two years later, at 19, he won the Czechoslovak Derby, remaining to this day the youngest jockey to ever win this title.
996:
477:
All race days are on Sunday, from April to October. From April-September, they start at 14h00. In October, to account for an earlier sunset, the race day begins at 13h00.
453:
332:
financials behind the improvement of the racecourse became problematic. It was therefore difficult to predict future developments as the funding was not always available.
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The 1939 season began with a 50% increase in funding, and new horses being imported form the west. An otherwise optimistic start to the season was interrupted by the
441:
During the winter months, when no horse racing is being held, the racecourse is transformed into a ski park for cross-country skiing, called Ski Park Velká Chuchle.
204:
This track was located at the Prague Indalidovna, and racing began there from the 1860s. A track was shortly later set up at Císarská louka (the Imperial Meadows).
991:
351:
In Autumn of 1995, racing returned to Velká Chuchle. The troubles plaguing the racecourse since the fall of the Berlin Wall had been solved one by one.
230:
on the racetrack. This was the first ever long-hail flight between Pardubice and Prague. This was an event that helped put the racetrack on the map.
54:
867:
182:
Emblem of the administrational district Velká Chuchle, the horseshoes demonstrate the importance of the racecourse to the surrounding areas
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Reeves and jockey Walter Earl, the presence of which brought importance to Prague, given that the capital city was at that time Vienna.
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Famous South African jockey Michael Roberts visited the track for the 1997 Czech Derby, and rode two winners.
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projection equipment, and IPTV (internet television) channel on television for the subscribed 10 000 people.
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Praha-Velká Chuchle Station, with the racecourse visible in the background, showing the closeness of the two
242:
the four-year-old Kongo, ridden by Kerész and owned by Oskar Kunz, in a time of 1 minute and 42 seconds.
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841:
28:
811:
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In 1996, Skanska adopted control of racing at Velká Chuchle, providing a guarantee of stability.
871:
198:
770:
328:
163:
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In 1955, Masis won the Czechoslovak Derby at Velká Chuchle, setting a new record time.
166:. Races are held there from April to mid-November. The track measures 2180m in length.
985:
266:
227:
790:
155:
923:
897:
584:
Fourth Sunday - Cena prezidenta republiky (President of the Czech Republic Stakes)
963:
69:
56:
151:
393:
205:
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play a significant role in racing at Velká Chuchle in the next years.
389:
159:
226:
On May 13, 1911, racetrack engineer Jan Kaspar landed his airplane
452:
363:
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945:
293:
foreign rivals had to prepare to compete with his riding style.
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of 1,076,500 crowns of prize money between the ages of 2 and 8.
842:
http://www.velka-chuchle.cz/userfiles/file/Prezentace2013AJ.pdf
348:
Czech-bred horse to win the Derby, won by a record 15 lengths.
581:
Third Sunday - Cena zimního favorita (Winter Favourite Stakes)
136:
617:"Age of Jape (POL) wins St. Leger, takes Czech triple crown"
562:
Fourth Sunday - Svatováclavská cena (St. Wenceslas Stakes)
388:
In the week starting 12 August, extensive flooding of the
769:. Prague: Secret Partnership, a.s. pp. 165–175.
508:
Second Sunday - Velka jarní cena (Czech 2000 Guineas)
505:
First Sunday - Jarní cena klisen (Czech 1000 Guineas)
158:
is held. It is located on the southern outskirts of
125:
117:
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93:
85:
46:
38:
489:Second Sunday - Velká dubnová cena (April Stakes)
524:First Sunday - Velká červnová cena (June Stakes)
514:Fourth Sunday - Jarní handicap (Spring Handicap)
400:In Spring of 2003, the racecourse was reopened.
837:
835:
833:
831:
829:
553:First Sunday - Zářijová cena (September Stakes)
511:Third Sunday - Velká květnová cena (May Stakes)
121:Czech Derby, Czech St Leger, Czech 2000 Guineas
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361:the Prague-Velká Chuchle Racecourse since.
313:Josef Šach, who was already 55 years old.
20:
997:Horse racing venues in the Czech Republic
527:Second Sunday - Červnovy pohár (June Cup)
868:"Tickets and Accessability - TMM s.r.o."
594:
495:Fourth Sunday - Jaroslav Mašek Memorial
556:Second Sunday - Zlatý pohár (Gold Cup)
162:, in the administrational district of
575:First Sunday - Harry Petrlik Memorial
559:Third Sunday - Autumn Racing Festival
492:Third Sunday - The British Racing Day
33:The winner's paddock at Velká Chuchle
7:
424:General Information & Statistics
433:Other Events Held at the Racecourse
368:A recent flat race at Velká Chuchle
992:Horse racing in the Czech Republic
14:
854:"The Australian Starting Machine"
565:Last Sunday - Dr. Gersch Memorial
27:
603:"Horse racing at Velka Chuchle"
148:Prague-Velká Chuchle Racecourse
42:Radotinská 69, 159 00, Prague 5
22:Praha-Velká Chuchle Racecourse
1:
486:First Sunday - Gomba Handicap
113:Canter racing, Harness racing
543:Last Sunday - Czech St Leger
533:Fourth Sunday - Czech Derby
1013:
920:"Floods 2013 - TMM s.r.o."
894:"Floods 2002 - TMM s.r.o."
767:100 years of Velká Chuchle
578:Second Sunday - no raceday
530:Third Sunday - no raceday
154:where canter and harness
133:
26:
250:debut at Velká Chuchle.
960:"HOMEPAGE - TMM s.r.o."
70:50.009306°N 14.389417°E
808:"14. Horse Racecourse"
765:Zlamany, Jiri (2006).
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336:setting a new record.
317:exception of in 1986.
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129:2500 - 5000 (average)
874:on 30 September 2013
75:50.009306; 14.389417
966:on 8 September 2013
170:General Information
66: /
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105:September 26, 1906
926:on 13 August 2013
900:on 13 August 2013
814:on 13 August 2013
329:Velvet Revolution
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462:Season Schedule
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137:Official website
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16:Horse racetrack
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118:Notable races
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968:. Retrieved
964:the original
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928:. Retrieved
924:the original
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902:. Retrieved
898:the original
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872:the original
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816:. Retrieved
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61:14°23′21.9″E
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102:Date opened
97:TMM, s.r.o.
94:Operated by
89:TMM, s.r.o.
73: /
58:50°0′33.5″N
48:Coordinates
986:Categories
589:References
304:1971- 2003
228:Blériot XI
199:Karel Groš
126:Attendance
970:13 August
930:13 August
904:13 August
878:13 August
818:13 August
791:"Kincsem"
548:September
445:Transport
261:1938-1979
192:1906-1937
152:racetrack
110:Race type
394:Berounka
215:Stakes.
86:Owned by
39:Location
570:October
206:Kincsem
187:History
773:
538:August
466:": -->
408:": -->
390:Vltava
377:": -->
160:Prague
481:April
150:is a
972:2013
932:2013
906:2013
880:2013
820:2013
771:ISBN
519:June
468:edit
410:edit
392:and
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327:The
146:The
500:May
988::
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