JAN THE MAN AS SACAMIRO TAKES HISTORIC VELKA

JAN THE MAN AS SACAMIRO TAKES HISTORIC VELKA

Written on 08/10/23 by Darren Thrussell – info@anglogermanracing.com

JAN FALTEJSEK proved yet again that he is a man for the big occasion when riding the ten year old SACAMIRO to victory in the 133rd renewal of one of the world’s most famous steeplechases, the Velka Pardubicka at Pardubice in the Czech Republic on Sunday, in the process securing his sixth success in the race.

Third in the race last year and having completed every one of his 22 contests over jumps, Sacamiro was on many peoples shortlist for the race, having also won the third of four qualifying races for the Velka Pardubicka last time out. The optimism proved to be well placed as Sacamiro came home five lengths clear of 2021 Velka Pardubicka champion Talent, with the German-bred twelve year old Star back in third. English jockey James Best was fourth aboard Lombargini.

Jet Fighter, one of two runners in the race for Irish trainer Peter Maher, trailed home last of the eight finishers, whilst stablemate Alpha Male came down at the fearsome Taxis ditch, an obstacle which also claimed jockey Patrick Mullins aboard last year’s winner Mr Spex.

Sacamiro’s victory was the biggest success to date for trainer Eva Petrikova. Based in the small village on Benov in the south-east of the Czech Republic some 30 km from the Slovakian border, Petrikova is only in her second season as a trainer, and has just five horses in her care. With Hana Kabelkova having trained the second and third home in today’s race, this year saw the first Velka Pardubicka in history where the first three horses home were all female-trained.

You can see the race here:

Photo: Jockey JAN FALTEJSEK, who rode the ten year old SACAMIRO to victory in the 133rd renewal of one of the world’s most famous steeplechases, the Velka Pardubicka at Pardubice in the Czech Republic on Sunday, in the process securing his sixth success in the race (Photo copyright Stefanie Ihlenburg / Anglo German Racing).