Josef Váňa is a famous Czech horse race rider. He was born in 1952 in the village of Slopná. Váňa is considered a big personality in Czech horse racing because he won the prestigious Velká pardubická steeplechase eight times throughout his career. Some of the successful horses he coached include Sixteen, Tiumen, Juventus, Roches Cross, Železník, Vronsky, Cipísek, and Decent Fellow. Váňa is known for his optimism and hard work with horses.