Indonesia Derby

Indonesia Derby

Djohar Manik in 2016
Inaugurated	1972
Race type	Flat racing
Website	sarga.co
Race information
Distance	2000 meters (1+2⁄5 miles)
Surface	Dirt
Track	Right-handed
Qualification	3-year-old Derby Class G/KP/Kuda Pacu Indonesia
Purse	Rp900.000.000 (as of 2025) 1st: Rp300.000.000 2nd: Rp300.000.000 3rd: Rp300.000.000
Bonuses	Indonesian Triple Crown Winner of Triple Crown Series I, Triple Crown Series II, Indonesia Derby Rp300,000,000

The Indonesia Derby is a flat horse race in Indonesia held for three-year-old colts and fillies. It is run over a distance of 2,000 meters (approximately 1.25 miles or 10 furlongs), usually in late July or early August. It is part of the Indonesia's Horse Racing series.

It was first officially run by the Equestrian Association of Indonesia in 1972 and is part of the first leg of the National Championships. The Derby is followed by the Super Sprint and the Star of Stars in the second leg of the National Championship. It is also the final leg of the Indonesian Triple Crown (Indonesian: Piala Tiga Mahkota), preceded by the Triple Crown Series 1 over a distance of 1,200 meters and the Triple Crown Series 2 over a distance of 1,600 meters.^[1]

Thoroughbred horses are considered ineligible to run in the Indonesia Derby, as well as the other Indonesian classic races. Almost all of the participating racehorses are crossbreeds, although there were successful local sandel horses in the earlier decades. One notable example was in 1976 where Cempaka, a local horse from East Java, won the Indonesian Derby.^[2]

In October of 1966, the Equestrian Association of Indonesia (PORDASI) was inaugurated by the government as the sole parent organization for equestrianism in Indonesia, with General Suharto as it's patron. In the same year, PORDASI carried out the first National Championship in Bogor. The event was an Open Class A race for the Soeharto Cup, which was a rolling trophy. The first edition was won by Diana which was owned by Suharto himself.^[3]

The Soeharto Cup continued on with a one race format up until 1974. In 1975, the National Championships format was changed to two legs, the first being the Indonesia Derby, and the second features several races classified by height. Since then, the Soeharto Cup was won by the most successful provincial contingent in both legs of the National Championships.^[3][4] After the fall of Suharto, the cup was renamed to the Bhayangkara Cup, and now the President's Cup.

An equivalent to the Soeharto Cup in its single race format today would be the Star of Stars.

The Indonesia Derby was first inaugurated in 1972. For the first three years of its existence, it existed alongside the Soeharto Cup. In 1972 and 1973, the race was open to any horse of any breed, including thoroughbreds. Ever since 1974 however, the race was exclusively for 3-year-old crossbreeds and locals. In 1975 and onwards, the Derby was part of the National Championships, and thus, before 1997, part of the Soeharto Cup.^[3]

In 1976 to 1978 the Indonesian Triple Crown was first held. Unlike the current format, the Indonesian Derby was the first race, and is followed by a 1200 and 1600 meter race held by PORDASI. The 1976 and 1977 featured double crown winners, which were Cempaka, a local breed^[2], and Bayu Kartika. Both Cempaka and Bayu Kartika were successful in the first two races, but lost in the final 1600 meter race. The Triple Crown was eventually won by Mystere in 1978.^[3] His achievement however, is disputed and unrecognized by PORDASI, as the Triple Crown series was discontinued in 1979.

In 1981, the Indonesian government imposed a nationwide ban on gambling. Thus, the totalizator, as well as all gambling operations, were removed from Pulomas Racecourse. Ever since then, the horse racing industry declined in popularity and earnings.^[3]

The Derby changed in length several times during the New Order. From 1200 to 1400 meters in 1975, 1400 to 1600 meters in 1990, and 1600 to 1850 meters in 1995.

The Reformasi era, which is the ongoing era in Indonesia marked by the fall of Suharto, saw the revival of Triple Crown winners. In 2002 Manik Trisula won the Indonesia Derby to achieve the Triple Crown, and Djohar Manik did the same in 2014.^[5]

Despite the achievements of several racehorses, Indonesia's horse racing industry continued to plummet in both popularity and revenue in the 21st century. Pulomas Racecourse, Indonesia's flagship racecourse, gradually lost its prominence as facilities were neglected and damaged from floods.^[6] The venue was eventually closed in 2016 to make way for the Jakarta International Equestrian Park, an equestrian venue for the 18th Asian Games.

For 39 years the Indonesia Derby had been held at the Pulomas Racecourse, and ever since its abolishment the Derby moved to Tegalwaton Racecourse, Central Java for four years until before the COVID-19 pandemic. After the pandemic, the event's racecourse changes every few years, depending on PORDASI's decision. The Derby was held at Legokjawa Racecourse, West Java in 2021, then Ki Ageng Astrojoyo Racecourse, East Java in 2022, then Kandih (Sawahlunto) Racecourse, West Sumatra, in 2023, then Sultan Agung Racecourse, DI Yogyakarta in 2024 and 2025. The upcoming 2026 Indonesia Derby is planned to be held at the Legokjawa Racecourse once more.

In 2023, horse racing promotors and organizers, SARGA.CO, was founded by now chairman of PORDASI, Aryo Djojohadikusumo. SARGA.CO collaborated with PORDASI to organize horse racing events, with the goal of rebuilding, developing, and popularizing Indonesian horse racing.^[7] Since 2025 SARGA.CO introduced the national calendar in the form of a racing circuit, Indonesia's Horse Racing.^[8][9] The Indonesia Derby, along with other national level races including the Triple Crown and the National Championships, is part of Indonesia's Horse Racing.

In 2025, King Argentin won the Indonesia Derby and achieved the Triple Crown.

Before a horse is allowed to compete in the Indonesia Derby, they must first go through a preliminary round. This consists of two heats, with 12 horses in each heat and the top 6 horses qualifying for the Indonesia Derby.

Over the years the race has been held at the following racetracks:

Most wins by a jockey:

• 5 wins – Coen Singal (1988, 1990, 1999, 2000, 2004)
• 5 wins – Jemmy Runtu (2016, 2018, 2021, 2024, 2025)
• 3 wins – Welly Mewengkang (1982, 1985, 1997)
• 3 wins – Harny Pantouw (1981, 2005, 2010)
• 2 wins – Buce Pantouw 1976, 1978)
• 2 wins – J. Sumuweng (1984, 1992)
• 2 wins – Suwarno (1989, 1995)
• 2 wins – A. Suhara (1987, 2002)
• 2 wins – M. Tewuh (1993, 2011)
• 2 wins – Hanny Suoth (1994, 2019)

Most wins by a trainer:

• 5 wins – Karlan (2018, 2019, 2021, 2024, 2025)
• 5 wins – Edwin Basuki (1988, 1990, 2000, 2005, 2014)
• 4 wins – Wahono A.T (1996, 1997, 1999, 2001)
• 3 wins – H.E. Bahar (2004, 2008, 2010)
• 2 wins – E. Lanujaya (1992, 1993)
• 2 wins – Martin Supit (1979, 1981)
• 2 wins – M. Udis (1989, 2013)

Most wins by an owner:

• 14 wins – Pamulang Stud & Stable (1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2010)
• 6 wins – King Halim Stable (2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024, 2025)
• 3 wins – Dago Stable (1995, 2001, 2009)
• 2 wins – Aragon Stable (2003, 2014)
• 2 wins – Bendang Stable (2004, 2008)
• 2 wins – Totemboan Stable (1975, 1982)
• 2 wins – Ir. Jeane (1993, 1996)
• 2 wins – A.C.J Mantiri (1974, 1977)

(Note on Indonesian words in the names; dh. indicates the former name of the horse.)

• Italic indicates filly^[10]
• Bold indicates Triple Crown winner

• 
  Djohar Manik
• 
  Sari Pohaci
• 
  Damayanti

• Horse racing in Indonesia
• List of racehorses