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Home > News > First lifetime win for Pacific Hill in the Czech Derby!

First lifetime win for Pacific Hill in the Czech Derby!



On Saturday, June 22, a top raceday of the season took place at the racecourse Prague-Velká Chuchle, the highlight of which was the most prestigious classic race: the 99th Czech Derby (Class A /Gd-3/, 12f, 2 mio. CZK). In spite of two heavy rain showers, a solid number of spectators came, fourteen three-year-old colts and two fillies were introduced to the audience.

In two spring races unbeaten /incl. Derby Trial June Stakes/ Angkor Wat (j. Minařík, tr. J. Váňa, own. Joly) was the favourite, one of three maiden horses in the field Pacific Hill (j. Palík, tr. R. Holčák, own. Monte Negro), second in Derby Trial June Stakes, was the second bookmakers chance. After the start nobody wanted to go ahead, so both favourites moved to front positions, Minařík aboard Angkor Wat set the pace. Leaders with experienced jockeys stood at the top of the race, Pacific Hill was stronger in finish and won by one and quarter lenghts of Angkor Wat with Czech 2000 Guineas winner Ignacius Reilly closely third.

Jockey Jiří Palík won his third Czech Derby (after 2005 and 2017), coach Radek Holčák won the second Derby (2014) and owner of Monte Negro stable Mr. Jiří Posád achieved already his fourth Derby win (after series 2012-2014). After 2013 winner Mister Aviation, Pacific Hill is only the second maiden Czech Derby winner in history.

Also four other Class A races were ran. The 15th Auto Jarov Kunratice Sprinters Stakes (6f, 200 ths. CZK, 3yo+) was won by progressive 5-yo gelding Mollys Best, unbeaten in three seasonal races, jockey Pavlína Filipová, coach Kateřina Berthier and owner Stáj Filip achieved their first Class A win. The 16th Tattersalls Mile (1m, 200 ths. CZK, 3yo+) was won by 4yo gelding Wagram (j. R. Koplík, tr. Z. Koplík, own MS Racing), who ran the first race in the Czech Republic after the import from France. As the winner of 60th Rádio Impuls Gold Cup (12f, 200 ths. CZK, 4yo+), anither French import 4yo colt Premier Lion (appr. Liška, tr. Luka, own. Syndikát V3J). The biggest surprise winner of the day was 3yo filly Ile Jones (j. Vendula Korečková, tr. Hulínský, own. Protendon), who achieved the first lifetime win in 40th Three-years-old fillies Stakes (11f, 150 ths. CZK, 3yo-f).

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