Following the historic victory of Stumptown last year, connections have confirmed that FINAL ORDERS is set to make the trip to the Czech Republic for the 136th running of the prestigious Velka Pardubicka.
Final Orders earned his ticket to Continental Europe’s ultimate test of endurance after storming to victory in the 2026 Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Remarkably, he will be aiming to mirror the exact path laid out by Stumptown, who captured that very same Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase in 2025 before going on to conquer the Pardubice course seven months later.
With jockey Keith Donoghue doing the steering.
🚨 Following the success of Stumptown last year, Cross Country winner FINAL ORDERS will be heading to Czechia for the 136th running of the Velka Pardubicka ✅
🇨🇿 The race takes place on Sunday 11th October.
Best of luck to Gavin Cromwell and connections!🤞…
— Jake Price (@JakePriceRacing) September 15, 2026
Both chasers hail from the powerhouse yard of Gavin Cromwell, the Danestown trainer and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner who has quickly established his stable as a global cross-country authority.
Having broken new ground with Stumptown’s landmark triumph 12 months ago, Cromwell will now attempt to repeat history and seal ‘back-to-back’ victories in the grueling Czech showpiece.
WATCH: Final Orders Winning The Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival
What is the Velka Pardubicka?
First run in 1874, the Velka Pardubicka (Grand Pardubice Steeplechase) is widely regarded as continental Europe’s oldest and most gruelling cross-country steeplechase.
Known as the Czech equivalent of the Grand National, the historic race features 31 varied and formidable obstacles-ranging from heavy plough fields and water jumps to the legendary Taxis Ditch, one of the most imposing obstacles in jump racing.
WATCH: Stumptown Winning The 2025 Velka Pardubicka
What Date is the Velka Pardubicka and Track?
• Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
• Track: Pardubice Racecourse, located in the city of Pardubice, Czech Republic
Traditionally held on the second Sunday of October, the race is the crown jewel of the autumn festival at Pardubice, drawing thousands of international racing enthusiasts.
What Trip is the Velka Pardubicka Run Over?
The race is contested over an arduous 4 miles and 2 furlongs (6,900 metres).
Horses routinely take around 9 to 10 minutes to complete the dynamic circuit, negotiating a mix of grass, deep plough, and steeplechase jumping lanes.
How Much Will the Velka Pardubicka Winner Get?
The race carries a total prize fund of 5,000,000 Czech Koruna (CZK) (approx. £170,000-£180,000).
The winning horse’s connections generally take home 2,000,000 CZK (roughly £65,000) along with one of the most prestigious trophies in international steeplechasing.
Stumptown won exactly £65,638.33 in 2025 – which is still someway short of the £500,000 the winner of the Aintree Grand National gets.
Other Well-Known British or Irish Winners
While local Czech horses traditionally dominate the contest, an elite handful of British and Irish raiders have etched their names into v folklore:
- Stumptown (2025): Trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Keith Donoghue, he made history as the very first Irish-trained winner of the race, recovering from a mistake at the Taxis fence to charge home victorious.
- It’s A Snip (1995): Ridden and trained by Charlie Mann, this tough British-trained chaser scored a memorable victory to end a long dry spell for cross-channel contenders.
- Fantom (1874): The inaugural running of the race was won by an English jockey, George Sayers, aboard the German-owned Fantom.
WATCH: It’s A Snip Winning The 1995 Velka Pardubicka
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