Tag Archive for: Pardubice

Donoghue left ‘absolutely gutted’ as Pardubice dreams dashed

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Coko Beach’s bid for the Velka Pardubicka was cut agonisingly short when he parted company with jockey Keith Donoghue three fences from home in the famously daunting cross-country race at Pardubice racecourse.

A regular in the Grand National and second in last year’s Becher Chaser, the grey was one of two Irish contenders travelling over to the Czech Republic for the unique event which runs over a distance of just over four miles and two furlongs and includes 31 obstacles, among them the huge Taxis fence.

The other horse was John McConnell’s Streets Of Doyen, who unseated Ben Harvey at the eighth fence, but Gordon Elliott’s runner took to the task and the unusual mix of banks, ditches and rails.

Coko Beach (grey) in action at Pardubice
Coko Beach (grey) in action at Pardubice (Neil Morrice/PA)

Coko Beach was travelling well and looked to hold a real chance, but on landing he unshipped Donoghue as Sexy Lord and Godfrey dead-heated for local trainers Martina Ruzickova and Dalibor Torok respectively.

“Everything was going to plan, he was nicely settled and I was popping, popping at every fence, but he landed in that ditch,” said Donoghue. “I’m absolutely gutted.”

Coko Beach landing after the Taxis fence (Neil Morrice/PA)

British jockey James Best rode Zataro for Marian Stangel and came home in 10th place on his fourth ride and completion in the contest.

He said: “He was nicely settled and gave me a great ride, he kept trying but sadly crossing the finish line he pulled up a bit short.

“I love riding over the famous Taxis and the course. I’ve managed to get round all four times I’ve ridden in it.”

Jeremy Pass, formerly trained in England by Paul Nicholls, was representing new connections for American trainer Joseph Davies but did not complete after being pulled up.



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Mullins out of luck as Sacamiro lands Velka Pardubicka

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Sacamiro was given a patient ride by Jan Faltejsek to win an eventful 133rd Velka Pardubicka.

Patrick Mullins had gone over to ride last year’s winner Mr Spex – but he was an early casualty at the famous Taxis fence, while Peter Maher’s two runners, Jet Fighter and Alpha Male, ridden by Sean O’Keeffe and Petr Tuma respectively, were both out of luck.

Mullins, who also fell on each of his two previous attempts in the race, said of his latest departure: “The horse in front came right across and took two of us out and refused. There was nowhere to go.”

James Best, riding Lombargini for Stanislav Popelka Jr, had a great thrill by finishing fourth.

Patrick Mullins (pink) was one of several casualties at the Taxi fence
Patrick Mullins (pink) was one of several casualties at the Taxi fence (PA)

Faltejsek, who had a spell riding in the UK and is best remembered for his association with George Charlton’s smart hurdler Knockara Beau, was winning the famous race for a sixth time.

The 10-year-old was kept away from the heat of the battle through much of the gruelling four-and-a-quarter miles but could be spotted travelling ominously well with half a mile to run.

By then Kaiserwalzer, who had cut out much of the running, was beginning to back peddle and it was Star and Talent who looked the main dangers.

Sacamiro had plenty up his sleeve, however, and sprinted clear after the final obstacle to win going away.



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Mullins out to master Velka Pardubicka challenge

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Patrick Mullins will be bidding to make it third time lucky in the Velka Pardubicka when he gets the leg up aboard defending champion Mr Spex at Pardubice on Sunday.

The decorated amateur rider is yet to complete in the challenging four-and-a-quarter-mile cross-country contest, having fallen from Kaiserwalzer in his two previous attempts in the famous Czech contest.

However, he has a Pardubice specialist on his side this time around, with Lubos Urbanek’s nine-year-old not only the winner last year, but also third in 2021.

“It’s a hugely exciting day and it’s an honour to be asked to go and ride last year’s winner,” said Mullins. “It’s a fantastic opportunity and I can’t wait.

“This is my third time going over and I’ve had a few seconds and thirds in some of the other races but no joy in the Velka yet.

“Mr Spex won last year and was third the year before, so he would have to have a huge chance and I’m hoping for third time lucky. He has a fabulous record around the track and a clear round would be a great start, but I’m hoping we will be bang there at the finish as well.”

Charlie Mann was the last British rider to triumph in the Velka Pardubicka when partnering It’s A Snip in 1995, but no Irish jockey has ever won the unique contest, which Mullins has many fond memories of from down the years.

He added: “I remember Richard Dunwoody going over one year to ride Risk Of Thunder and Ruby (Walsh) went over one year and broke his leg in a race before the Velka.

“When you watch the videos of it, it is proper National Hunt racing. To be a part of it and compete in it is a privilege.”

Despite failing to complete in his two previous spins aboard Kaiserwalzer, the County Carlow native believes the Pardubice cross-country circuit compares favourably with both the Cheltenham and Punchestown equivalents.

And although having to encounter the famous Taxis and it’s formidable five-metre ditch, he embraces the different proposition the Czech track presents.

“They are slightly different but at the end of the day they are just jumps,” he added. “The horses have run over them before so you are trying not to interfere with them too much.

Patrick Mullins is relishing another crack at Pardubice's unique cross-country circuit
Patrick Mullins is relishing another crack at Pardubice’s unique cross-country circuit (David Davies/PA)

“The Taxis is very wide but the rest of them would be very similar to the Punchestown and Cheltenham cross-country tracks.

“The water jumps are slightly different, they are flat water jumps. They are wider and there is no upright in front of them. They are probably the most different jumps, but at the end of the day they are just jumps.

“I like the variety, I think it makes it exciting and interesting and it is a very special race.”

Back on home soil, the record-breaking amateur has made a stellar start to the 2023-24 campaign, bringing up his 800th career winner at Listowel last month, and currently leads the Irish jump jockeys’ championship.

Patrick Mullins and his father Willie Mullins have plenty to look forward to
Patrick Mullins and his father Willie Mullins have plenty to look forward to (Niall Carson/PA)

Mullins now anticipates a slight easing in the numbers ahead of some of the stable’s main hopes striding out onto the track in the coming months and believes there is plenty of ammunition in Closutton to look forward to.

“We’ve had a superb start and the bumper horses have been running out of their skin,” he said.

“We will probably have a little bit of a lull now, with our summer team coming to an end and our winter team about to begin, but it looks like we have plenty of soldiers to go to war with in the winter and I’m looking forward to turning the screw with them over the next six weeks or so.

“We’re kind of the end of November before ours start coming out, so we’re a bit away yet.”



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