Josef Vana is considered one of the greatest personalities of Czech horse racing having won the famous Pardubice Steeplechase eight times as a jockey and nine times as a trainer.  Josef won his first Pardubice in 1987 on the legendary Czech horse Zeleznik who he rode to victory again in 1988, 1989 and 1991.  In 1997 he achieved a fifth victory aboard Vronsky and in 2011 won the famous race on Tiumen for the eight time at the age of 58.  Josef has won hundreds of races in his illustrious career and experienced many injuries.  In 1994 he was pronounced clinically dead following a fall in Germany but recovered to ride again just two months later.