Marek Stromský drove Velka Pardubická twenty times. He was twice disqualified from first place. First time in 2008 with Amant Gris for pivot point minutes, second time in 2015 with Nikas. In addition, prohibited substances from defective feed appeared in the horse’s blood. The best results of the native of Štěpánkovice remain two second places with Amant Gris (2010) and Hegnus (2018).
Mark, can you describe from your point of view why you are not at the start of Velká Pardubice?
“Since Ms. Kabelková cheated on me. Last year, no one wanted to ride Stara, I drove him, I think, fine. Everything indicated that I would ride it again. When I was injured during the season, Ondra Velek drove him in the first qualifying round. In the second, me again. It was an unlucky shorter qualification, no one wanted to go ahead and Star was pulling for me. He went forward, this doesn’t suit him, it didn’t work. Even so, the fifth came late. Mrs. Kabelková didn’t like it, I begged her to let me know in advance what and how. Everyone thought I was going to ride Stara, but I still haven’t heard from the Esemska trainer. I only knew that I wasn’t going at the start, where Ondra (Velek) was written. It is said that they agreed after the second qualification. I don’t give it. I ended my career. I’m completely done with horses, I also left Greg Wroblewski, some things weren’t clean there either. I made a decision and Marek Stromský ended his career as a racing driver.”
Wait, you were supposed to ride in Pardubice on Saturday, right?
“I was supposed to ride Wilantos, but trainer Wroblewski entered him in the amateur race. So I packed up and quit. Rosťa Benš is now riding all his horses in Italy, too. I was hoping he would at least let me have Wilantos, we were second together last time which was a good result. He didn’t run for a year, he didn’t have much work. But now it will be in the amateur race. It got outgrown, I didn’t give it anymore. I no longer have the strength to swim upstream like I did when I was young. Even after the disqualifications in Velka, I fought, but now I don’t give it anymore. I’ve made up my mind and I’m quitting.”
This is very unexpected and sad, isn’t it?
“One day it would come anyway. It would be sad if there was an accident. Yes, it hurts, it will be a while before it goes away. Especially now at Velká Pardubická. But life goes on, I would still leave horses one day. I don’t enjoy training, I won’t throw manure, I’d have to get away from horses anyway. Better now than in five years, when no one will employ me.’
Also regarding the casting of Star in Velká Pardubická. Was it the trainer’s or the owner’s decision?
“I don’t know exactly. What annoys me the most is that I didn’t even receive an SMS about the fact that they are changing drivers. It doesn’t matter who made the decision, the owner or the trainer. I’m sorry that I wasn’t worth a penny for them to text me. Changing riders is what happens in the world, it happens. But I didn’t even pay them a text. I’m sorry about that.’
Do you think there would be a chance to agree on a possible engagement elsewhere?
“Maybe. Although there are not many horses for the Big this year, so the chance would be very small. It doesn’t matter now, it’s about attitude.”
So you won’t go to Pardubice on the weekend at all?
“No way, I’ll be home, the races are over for me. It’s possible that jockeys will still be needed, but I don’t want to wait. Perhaps even Adam Čmiel doesn’t have a horse, he was also washed out. Everyone swears, owners and trainers alike, that they are not jockeys. But when they have to seat Czech boys who can do it and can earn money on the day of Velká Pardubická, they prefer to call expensive foreigners who will end up messing it up anyway. I’m not saying always, but it happens. They curse that they are not jockeys and then drown us.’
Your decision is very recent, however, how will you remember your career?
“You’re right, it’s early, fresh. I will remember well, I stayed healthy. Some guys ended up worse, like Peter Gehm in a wheelchair. I stayed healthy, I enjoyed it. I loved horses, I liked being in the saddle. I enjoyed it to the fullest. Now the turning point has come, but it must always come. I’m sorry for the disqualification from the first places in Velka, of course. But that’s the fate one has to accept. I take it that way, I’m not complaining.’
Do you already know what you’re going to do?
“I don’t know. I’m going to take a break and look for something to enjoy, because I’d probably die in the factory. We’ll see, there’s still time.’
STATEMENT OF COACH HANA KABELKOVÁ FOR THE DIARY
“I was quite disappointed after the second qualification with the performance of the driver (Stromský). The owners, who are more important than me in decision-making, were understandably disappointed. I wrote a text message to Mark – why didn’t he tell me that after falling off my horse from the previous Pardubice, he still doesn’t feel well, that we should think about it differently. And Marek didn’t answer me at all. He didn’t respond, he didn’t even ask if the horse was healthy. He did not respond and since then there has been no communication at all.
We were very pleased when Ondra Velek left Stara as a substitute in the first qualification. The boys, when they see that the horse is skilled and promising, as far as the Velka Pardubice is concerned, are interested. There were more jockeys who were possibly interested in Star. Marek did not communicate at all.
It wasn’t pre-negotiated with Ondra, not at all, but he had it in his head because it was successful. At the end of the summer, the owner called me to say that everything needed to be thought out so that we would be ready. If Marek calls, communicates, is he interested? I said that he didn’t call me, that I didn’t know anything. He doesn’t run many races, we haven’t seen each other.
So the decision was made that if Ondra Velek is interested, it will be Ondra Velek. There’s no point in escalating the situation, it won’t do anything, I don’t understand. Marek accomplished a lot, credit to whom credit. I don’t cheat and I’m not in the habit of any dishonest behavior.”
