Visiting training centres in Czech Republic
Czech Republic isn’t one of the biggest trotting countries in
Europe. The country has however a long tradition in harness racing
and still today the people around trotters are very enthusiastic
about their sport.
The most popular era of trotting races took place between the two
world wars, when there was a racing track in Letná, across the river
from central Prague. Nowadays the only official trotting track is in
Velká Chuchle, some half an hour from the centre of the country’s
capital. This year, on 11th August, trotters are also returning to
the race track in Marianské Lažně, after almost 20 years of
abstinence.
There are several training centres in the country. Two of the
biggest ones are Farma Levín and the Volf family stables in the area
of the Tochovice castle.
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Önas Bismarck
is a two year old colt imported from Sweden, and has a rare bay
roan colour. Here he is on the yard of Farma Levín.
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Third in Czech Derby last year, five
year old Mishano represents Czech breeding from his dam’s side.
Here posing on the yard of the
Tochovice castle stables. |
Ondřej Goiš’s
breeding stallion
Zoning America was imported
from Italy in 2006.
He has a record of 12,5. |
Farma Levín
Farma Levín http://www.farmalevin.cz is situated some 30
kilometers from Prague. In Levín, two young and successful trainers
and drivers have their horses – Michal Kalčík and Ondřej Goiš. The
farm has about 60 hectares of land and modern facilities for
training ca. 90 horses. There is also a 800 meter race track in
Levín, which is occasionally used also for races.
Some of the best horses in Kalčík’s stable include German bred
geldings Tex Diamond and Větroplach. Earlier Kalčík was also
successful as the trainer of the best Czech bred horse, Henri
Hammering.
Ondřej Goiš has in his stable two of the three horses that are
together holders of the Czech trotting record – German bred stallion
Fritz de Sade and Dutch bred gelding Sir Playboy, both of which have
record 13,5a. Also Italian stallion Zoning America is standing at
Goiš stable, offering services to Czech mare owners.
(The third horse with record 13,5a is Sandonora F, which has been
touring in France this spring with trainer Jaromír Kotásek.)
The owner of the farm, Jiří Balcar together with his wife Monika
Balcarová are both keen amateur drivers and like to drive their
horses in the races in Velká Chuchle. Also Michal Kalčík’s wife
Monika Kalčíková has been successful in the sulkies behind Levín
horses.
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Imported from
Finland, Silver Quality is sprinting on the Velká Chucle race track
driven by his owner Jiří Balcar.
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Horses from Ondřej
Goiš’s stable on a
training round on the farm track.
In center Czech record holder Fritz de Sade |
Tochovice
In Tochovice one can find the training centre of the Volf family.
Having moved from Russia to Czech Republic in 2000, trainer and
driver Mykola Volf finally found an ideal place for his family and
horses in Tochovice, some 50 km south from Prague.
- With numerous pastures, a track for training purposes and the old
castle stables with large boxes, this is a bit like a horses’
paradise, says one of the owners whose horses are stabled at
Tochovice.
Some of the most successful horses at the Volf stables are Czech
bred grey gelding Mishano, who was placed third in last year’s
Derby, German bred gelding Big Heigerjen and French bred Noble Blue.
There are many proming young horses at the stable as well, such as
Pandorra, Vesničanka and Instant Diamant.
Also Mykola Volf’s wife Marina and daughter Elena drive horses.
Elena has finished horse racing school in Velka Chuchle 2006 and has
represented Czech Republic in apprentices’ European Championships
several times. This year in Italy she was placed 9th among 12 young
drivers.
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Training round on the
Tochovice training track.
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Two colts playing on the
Tochovice pastures. |
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Copyright 2006 fmo©
FÉDÉRATION EUROPÉENNE DES GENTLEMEN ET CAVALIČRES DU
TROT
EUROPÄISCHER VERBAND DER AMATEURFAHRER UND -FAHRERINNEN DES
TRABERSPORTS
EUROPEAN AMATEUR GENTLEMEN DRIVERS FEDERATION
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