Velka Pardubicka (Oct)
Czech Republic
08 October 2010 - 11 October 2010
from £ 629
Departing from Manchester or Bristol or Heathrow or Leeds or Stansted
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Limited spaces - book now
Join Richard Dunwoody MBE as Course & Distance offer you the chance to experience the Velka Pardubicka in the best way possible.
Dunwoody explained: "The Velka Pardubicka at Pardubice is a race meeting that I look forward to every year and I've always tried to attend ever since my retirement from the saddle.
"There is a tremendous buzz before the race and it is one of the best spectacles in steeplechasing to watch the field streaming over the Taxis fence; it is a daunting and unique course and one of the most demanding steeplechases in the world.
"It really is a race that you've just got to go and see for yourself and to soak up the atmosphere at the racecourse - there isn't anything to compare it with. It is great racing and a fantastic weekend."
Our gift certificates make the perfect present for the horse racing fan in your life.
See what our guests thought in 2009.
Read what our special guest Marcus Armytage had to say about 'Josef the Incredible' in the Daily Telegraph.
Itinerary
You will arrive in Prague and be transferred to either the four-star Prague Inn or Eurostars David hotels. Specially selected for their location, these hotels are situated close to Wenceslas Square right in the heart of the city.
The famous Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, world-class shopping arcades and stylish restaurants are literally on your doorstep. Friday afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy and explore the city.
Saturday 9 October
After breakfast you will be transferred by luxury coach to the charming town of Pardubice. We will be staying at the only four-star hotel in the town, the Hotel Euro - we are proud to be the only UK-based tour operator offering this hotel in Pardubice.
There is an afternoon card of Flat horse racing at Pardubice and we offer an optional excursion for a supplement of £15.
This includes coach transfers, general course admission and an opportunity to 'walk the course' with Richard Dunwoody MBE (who has ridden the course and survived the Taxis) and Robin Healey, who will both offer an exclusive insight on the various obstacles that horse and jockey will face in the Velka Pardubicka. Pay on the day.
On Saturday evening, there is the Course & Distance pre-race reception. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine while we run through the form guide for the Velka Pardubicka and supporting races as our experts aim to 'mark your card'.
Then sit back and be entertained with an exclusive Q&A with the legendary Steve Smith-Eccles, Richard Dunwoody and other other guests.
This really is the ideal way to get into the mood for the 120th Velka Pardubicka.
Following the huge success of the Gala Buffet immediately after the pre-race reception, we will be repeating this in 2010. The cost of this four course dinner is £25 per person and is available by advance booking only. Please contact our office for full menu details.
Sunday 10 October
After breakfast you will be transferred to the racecourse for the Velka Pardubicka.
Spend the day in Course & Distance's superb private box facilities with spectacular views overlooking the Taxis fence and the finishing straight.
Enjoy champagne on arrival, a hot buffet lunch and afternoon tea, complimentary soft drinks and tea and coffee throughout the day.
There is also a private cash bar and a dedicated betting facility with English-speaking staff. Course & Distance's representatives and special guests will be in the box throughout should you need any advice or help.
After racing, transfer back to the Hotel Euro for a final evening at leisure in Pardubice.
Monday 11 October
After breakfast you will be transferred by luxury coach to Prague airport for your flight back to the United Kingdom.
All prices are based on two people sharing a twin/double room. Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis unless otherwise stated.
Bookings require a deposit of £150 per person, with the balance due (Friday 13 August) eight weeks before the tour departure date.
There is a single supplement for this tour of £59 per night.
Flight details
Departure times on 08 October 2010, three-night tour - outbound flights:Depart from Manchester 07:15
Depart from Bristol 12:50
Depart from Heathrow 07:35
Depart from Leeds 07:15
Depart from Stansted 06:25
Arrival times on 08 October 2010, three-night tour - outbound flights:
Arrive from Manchester 10:25
Arrive from Bristol 15:55
Arrive from Heathrow 10:30
Arrive from Leeds 10:25
Arrive from Stansted 09:15
Departure times on 11 October 2010, three-night tour - inbound flights:
Depart for Manchester 20:10
Depart for Bristol 16:25
Depart for Heathrow 18:45
Depart for Leeds 19:25
Depart for Stansted 09:45
Arrival times on 11 October 2010, three-night tour - inbound flights:
Arrive at Manchester 21:30
Arrive at Bristol 17:30
Arrive at Heathrow 20:05
Arrive at Leeds 20:40
Arrive at Stansted 10:40
Telephone booking: call 01427 839468
Please telephone our office for details and prices for other UK airports
History
The Velka Pardubicka is a major event in the Czech social calendar and was first run in 1874.
The cross-country course comprises a spectacular mix of banks, hedges and ditches, which includes the daunting and infamous Taxis fence – jumped only once every year – and is run over a distance of four miles two-and-a-half furlongs.
The race always attracts a strong British and Irish challenge with Charlie Mann the last successful challenger in 1995, training and riding the winner It’s A Snip
Never has the phrase ‘horses for courses’ been more apt, as the race has produced many multiple winners.
Maskul, bred by the Maktoum family at Shadwell Stud, won in 2002 and 2005, the mare Registana gained back-to-back successes in 2003 and 2004, then another mare Sixteen won in 2007 and 2008.
In 2009 the eight-year-old Tiumen, trained and ridden by the legendary Josef Vana, won the race and defeated the double-winner Sixteen. Vana's victory was his sixth as a jockey and seventh as a trainer.