Czech steeplechase legend and Velká pardubická winner Jaroslav Myška has officially ended his glittering riding career at age 46, bringing a close to an era defined by record-breaking triumphs and unwavering resilience on the country’s most demanding tracks.
Jockey Club Confirms Retirement of Steeplechase Recordman
Jaroslav Myška officially concluded his illustrious career by contacting the Jockey Club of the Czech Republic by phone to request the cancellation of his riding account, as reported by České noviny. The governing body acknowledged the departure by publishing a formal statement expressing gratitude for his professionalism and immense effort throughout a career spanning nearly three decades. Across 2,199 překážkových startů tracked by the organization, Myška accumulated 359 victories, alongside three flat racing wins from 20 dostihů. His decision follows a season in which he earned his victory on Grenat at Kolesá on April 26. Zrálo to ve mně delší dobu.
Five-Time Champion and Pioneer of the Bruntálský Region
Born in Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Myška built a reputation as one of the nation’s most enduring jump jockeys, securing five national steeplechase championship titles in 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, and 2012, according to Sport.cz records. His journey in the sport began in the late 1990s when he arrived at Světlá Hora in the Bruntálský region straight after completing his education at Kladruby. As recounted in local reporting by Bruntálský a krnovský deník, a recommendation from then-Jockey Club president engineering Luka led the teenage Myška to Světlá Hora. Myška secured his first career steeplechase victory on May 1, 1998, guiding Milliar to success in Lysá nad Labem, following initial riding opportunities provided by trainer Čestmír Olehla.
The Long Road to Velká Pardubická Glory with Sexy Lord
Myška started in the grueling Velká pardubická 23 times over his career, a journey highlighted by numerous placed finishes before an elusive victory finally materialized. In his debut appearance in autumn 2001, he stepped in at the last moment to replace the injured František Jasinský aboard Torpille—wearing the iconic yellow jersey with a red sash made famous by Železník—and raced to a remarkable fourth-place finish. Two decades later, he finished a narrow second behind the winner aboard Evžen in 2021, a horse he prepared alongside his wife and trainer, Štěpánka Myšková. The ultimate breakthrough arrived in the 2024 renewal of the country’s most famous steeplechase, when Myška partnered with Sexy Lord, trained by Martina Růžičková, to share a dramatic dead-heat victory with Godfrey, ridden by Jan Faltejsek. Už mi to novináři nebudou předhazovat,
Myška noted with relief following the historical finish. Vítězstvím se pro mě nezměnilo relativně nic,
he added, describing his return to routine stable work and the immense joy shared by his family, his wife’s family, and dedicated fans. When attempting a defense the following year, Myška zadržel the injured ryzák ve finiši, prompting trainer Martina Růžičková to declare: Myška je frajer.
Transition to Professional Farrier Work
While stepping away from competitive riding, Myška intends to remain embedded within the horse racing industry through an established secondary trade. He has transitioned to working full-time as a professional farrier, a vocation he initially developed by shoeing horses within his own stable. “For many years I shoed the horses of our stable, now I want to devote myself to it fully,” Myška told Jezdci.cz, as cited by České noviny. “I am still gaining the necessary experience, but it fulfills me very much and I would like to stay with racehorses in this way.”
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