Menu
Description
In the foothills of the Jeseníky Mountains, horse racing and racedays began to be organized in the times of Železník, a four-time winner of the Velka Pardubicka. The tradition has survived to the present day, when a steeplechase raceday is regularly held here in July with great spectator interest. A special feature of Světlá Hora is the spectator sector in the middle of the racecourse, from which the spectators have very close contact with the race horses.
More information
Transport
By car
The racecourse is located 9 km from the district town of Bruntál - in the direction of Vrbno pod Pradědem.
By bus
Take a bus from Bruntál or Vrbno pod Pradědem, the Světlá Hora stop is 670 m from the racecourse.
Parking
Marked parking by the main road, paved and unpaved area. Parking is paid.
Food & Drinks
Refreshments available on site: fast food stands.
Activities
During the raceday there is an exhibition of small animals, a fair, carousels for children and live music.
Practical information
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets can only be purchased on the raceday at the ticket offices at the venue, sales start 1.5 hours before the start of the first race.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are allowed on a leash only and the owner must clean up any excrement.
Is there a dress code?
There is no dress code for general visitors.
What is the best time to arrive at the racecourse? When does the raceday start?
If you want to catch the first race in peace, it is ideal to plan your arrival 30 to 45 minutes before the start. The racetrack area, including refreshment stands, is open 1.5 hours before the start of the first race. The start times of the event and the start of the first race can always be found in the event details.
How long do the races last? How many races are run?
One race lasts on average one and a half minutes, a steeplechase around five to nine minutes. There are usually 8 races during a raceday with 30 minute breaks. The total duration of a raceday is around 3.5 hours.
The races are divided, among other things, according to performance categories, the main race (the highest category of a given raceday) is usually placed in the second part of the programme, but only exceptionally at the very end.
What can I expect during the raceday?
- 30 minutes before the start of the first race the raceday is started by local radio.
- About 20 minutes before the start, the horses are introduced to the spectators in the paddock, where the riders also arrive 10 minutes before the start.
- With them in the saddles, the horses then leave the paddock 5 minutes before the start and head to the starting point in a 'test gallop'. This may be at a different place on the track each time, depending on the length of the race. The finish is always at the same place.
- At the time of the scheduled start, the judges will give the signal to start.
- After the race has been run, the official result is announced and the winners are decorated in front of the finishing horseshoe. This is usually about 10 to 15 minutes after the race and in the meantime the horses that will start in the next race on the programme are already being introduced in the paddock.
How can I watch the races? Do I need binoculars?
The best overview will be from the grandstand. Positions in the higher rows will give you a better view, while the lower rows, or the pavement in front of the grandstand, will give you closer contact with the horses in the homestraight. It is a good idea to take your chosen seat in the grandstand about 5 to 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the race. Our tip: if you want to watch the race like a proper "turfman", equip yourself with binoculars and you will have the racing action in the palm of your hand even from the height of the grandstand.
Where can I find out in advance which horses will run in the races?
All important information not only about the participants of the races, but also about the entire schedule of the raceday is contained in the Racing card, which you can buy right at the entrance to the racetrack. Start lists for the weekend races are closed on Tuesday of the week and can be found in advance on our website in the race details.
How and where can I place my bet?
Betting is an important part of horse racing and can be done directly at the racetrack at marked places. Bets are usually placed after you have seen the horses before the race in the paddock.
Is there a live streaming of all the races?
If you are not able to attend the raceday directly, you can watch the stream HERE >>
History
The racecourse in Světlá Hora was built in the second half of the 1980s by the Bruntál State Farm. In 1987, a stable for horses was completed, and on 15 July 1989 the whole area of the racecourse was opened, which was to serve for holding agricultural exhibitions in addition to racing and horse training. In 1990, however, the Bruntál State Farm ceased to exist and the racecourse became the property of the municipality of Světlá Hora. In 1998, the municipality of Světlá Hora, Stáj Wrbna and other companies joined together to organise a raceday and since that year official races have been held in Světlá Hora, which are governed by the rules of the Jockey Club of the Czech Republic.
The racecourse in Světlá Hora itself has a somewhat unusual irregular oval shape. The outer part of this oval is a flat track with a length of 1,200 metres. The inner part of the track is filled with steeplechase obstacles. The inner area is crossed by two diagonals which are also equipped with steeplechase and cross country obstacles. An interesting feature of the track is that it is built on a slope, the elevation between its lowest point, which is the finishing landmark, and the highest point, which is located in the back right corner, is exactly 30 metres. The obstacles that are built on the racecourse make it extremely attractive. These are made up of bulfinches, a moat, a drop called the Paramon jump.