Tour Highlights 

• The Velka Pardubicka - experience racing at its finest in a superb setting.
• Walk the course and come face to face with the daunting fences!
• Sightseeing - Prague has stunning architecture and miles of cobbled streets to explore.
• Shopping - Department stores, boutiques and designer names. Crystal is a 'must buy' in Prague.

This wonderful tour, with its unique combination of three nights in magical Prague coupled with a memorable day enjoying Europe's Grand National at unrivalled Pardubice, is already a proven success since its introduction to our brochure.

Prague is, without doubt, one of Europe's most fashionable cities, an historic baroque monument to Bohemia's past, equally comparable to Florence, Venice and Rome for the majesty of its noble buildings, squares and cobbled streets. Visitors will never forget the proud Cathedral perched high above this historic city, a stroll over Charles Bridge where local violinists play their romantic love songs beneath the thirty baroque statues for which it is world famous, the National Museum or the Opera House. A truly unique city!

There is a seemingly endless variety of fashionable restaurants, bars and boutiques, in particular on and in the vicinity of the Old Town Square with its awe-inspiring Rococo palaces and arcades.

Few other cities in the world can compare with Prague, many would say that none can be more appealing to the visitor!

THE VELKA PARDUBICKA STEEPLECHASE

As a true test of stamina, equine ability and horsemanship THE VELKA PARDUBICKA, run over 4m2½f and 31 varying obstacles over a mix of grass and light plough, ranks of equal importance in steeplechasing's role of honour to our own Grand National and The Maryland Hunt Cup. Surely no more evidence is needed than the fact that our greatest National Hunt venue, Cheltenham, has already introduced Cross Country chases to its annual calendar in which horses from the Czech Republic have competed.

In 1999 the Irish entry Risk of Thunder owned by Sean Connery finished second, beaten by the Czech horse Peruan, a very impressive three times winner. He just failed to make it four wins when narrowly beaten by the Polish bred Chalco in 2001. In 2002 Maskul, bred by Hamdan Al Maktoum and ridden by P.Gehm, took victory finishing ahead of Decent Fellow. In 2003 Maskul did not quite manage to hold on to his crown by coming in second to Registana. There were three Irish challengers in 2004 but all three fell and Registana took victory for the second year running!

In 2005, Registana did not manage a hat-trick as she fell at the second fence and Maskul gained his second victory, beating Decent Fellow, to win by half a length. This was Registana's final run before retiring to Stud. In 2006 Decent Fellow finally triumphed at the fifth time of asking, but was unable to follow up on this success in 2007, being beaten by stablemate Sixteen. Ferdy Murphy, having another crack at the race, finished fourth with Ivoire De Beaulieu. There was excitement at the finish of the 2008 race as first past the post Amant Gris was one of three horses, including Ferdy Murphy's Ivoire de Beaulieu, disqualified for taking the wrong course. This gave the runner-up, the grey mare Sixteen, her second consecutive win in the event and another victory for trainer Josef Vana.

This is the ultimate test of horse and rider with the winning owner receiving in excess of £55,000, a massive sum in relation to the average winning purse in the Czech Republic! There will be eight other excellent supporting races on the afternoon's card and wagers can be made on the Tote.

HORSE RACING ABROAD FACILITY
Our open-fronted, private facility overlooks the famous "Taxis" fence and finishing straight. Enjoy champagne on arrival, a hot buffet lunch and afternoon tea, complimentary soft drinks, tea and coffee throughout the day. There is a private cash bar and dedicated betting facilities with English speaking staff. Relax and enjoy a really unforgettable afternoon's racing!