Austrian Donau Derby to Be Held in Budapest This Summer

MTI-Hungary Today 2024.01.15.

2024 will be the year of sport, with Hungarian athletes at the Olympics and the European Football Championships, but horse racing fans can also look forward to a big year, Minister of Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said in a video posted on his Facebook page on Saturday.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of Kincsem (“My Treasure”), the famous Hungarian racehorse, and a great sporting diplomatic success, as the long-standing Austrian Derby will be run in Hungary for the first time, the minister emphasized.

Kincsem painted by Emil Adam in 1887. Photo via Wikipedia

The Austrian Derby has been held every year for 156 years. It was the third time on the continent that a serious and prestigious race, which is a breeding trial for English thoroughbred mares and stallions, was established.

The beautiful Kincsem Park in Budapest will therefore host two Derbys this year: the Hungarian Derby on July 7, and the Austrian Derby, the Donau Derby, on August 4,”

stressed Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky.

Fact

There is only one Derby every year, in each country. The “‘Hungarian Derby” is also the most prestigious gallop race in Hungary. There are a few centuries-old rules that must be followed. The competition is a one-off test for the horses. There is no room for improvement or repetition, as only three-year-old “co-educated” horses, mares and stallions are allowed. The number of competitors depends on the size of the course, but may not exceed twenty-four. Twenty horses are allowed to start at Kincsem Park. The Derby is open only to English thoroughbreds, or more precisely to those whose parents are listed in The English Cart-Horse Stud-book. The distance is 2,400 meters, so the field will be in close proximity to the public for the first 400 meters after the start, much to the delight of the spectators.

Highlight of the Weekend: 101st Hungarian Derby

The winner of the race was Amore Boy, with Slovakian jockey Jaroslav Línek.Continue reading

Via MTI; Featured image via Facebook/Kincsem Park – Nemzeti Lóverseny