Velká Chuchle racecourse celebrates 120 years of history

The Velká Chuchle racecourse in Prague is celebrating its 120th anniversary, marking its opening on September 28, 1906. Originally funded with a loan from the city of Prague, the venue has evolved into the Chuchle Arena Praha, serving as a major sporting and cultural hub that hosts horse racing, parkour, and winter cross-country skiing.

Historically, the site has been a center for significant Czech events. It hosted the first Czechoslovak Derby in 1921 and was a frequent destination for President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, who established the ‘President of the Republic Prize’. Beyond racing, the venue holds importance in aviation history; in May 1911, engineer Jan Kašpar performed a pioneering long-distance flight from Pardubice to Prague, landing at the racecourse.

The venue has survived various historical challenges, including interruptions during both World Wars and damage to its stables during the Prague Uprising in 1945.