Sawahlunto Derby
Horse race
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sawahlunto Derby is a flat horse race in Indonesia held for three-year-old colts and fillies. It is run over a distance of 1500 meters (approximately 0.93 miles or 7½ furlongs), usually in early December.
| Class | 3-year-old derby |
|---|---|
| Location | Kandih Racecourse |
| Inaugurated | 2007 |
| Race type | Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1500 meters (7½ Furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | 3-y-o, Colts & Fillies |
| Purse | Rp. 150.000.000 (as of 2025) |
History
The Sawahlunto Derby was inaugurated in 2007 as part of 119th Sawahlunto City Anniversary Day (Indonesian: Hari Jadi Kota (HJK)), an initiative to promote "sport tourism" in the former mining town. While organized racing in West Sumatra dates back to the colonial era at venues like Bukit Ambacang (1889), the Sawahlunto Derby represents a modern professionalization of the traditional Minangkabau pacu kudo.
2020 cancellation
The 2020 edition of the race was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. The event returned in 2021 with strict health protocols and limited spectators, before returning to full capacity in 2022.
2025 charity
Due to the 2025 Sumatra floods and landslides, the 18th edition held in 2025 dedicated its entire revenue from ticket sales and VIP contributions to the humanitarian cause. The event successfully raised Rp32,225,000, which the organizers announced would be converted into basic necessities for flood and landslide victims across West Sumatra.[1]
Step races
Before a horse is allowed to compete in the Sawahlunto 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 Sawahlunto Derby.[2]
| No | Race name | Grade | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 years old Derby Heat I | Elimination | Dirt 1500m |
| 2 | 3 years old Derby Heat II | Elimination | Dirt 1500m |
| 3 | Sawahlunto Derby | Derby | Dirt 1500m |
New format
For the 2025 edition, the organizing committee implemented a significant modification to the competition format by eliminating the qualifying heat rounds.[3]
Regulatory basis
The decision to forego the heat rounds was authorized by the Board of Stewards and the organizing committee, adhering to the results of the Indonesian Equestrian Sports Association (PORDASI) National Working Meeting (Rakernas) Revision dated September 10, 2025 (Point 4, sub-points A-E).[citation needed] This format change was officially communicated to stable owners and trainers during the barrier drawing session held on November 30, 2025.
Ranking mechanism
In lieu of physical qualifying races, the selection of the 12 horses eligible for the Main Race was determined through a ranking system based on historical performance records (track record). The Board of Stewards assessed candidates using the following criteria:
- Regional Entrants: Points were calculated based on the horses' performance in the two most recent championships: the Payakumbuh Horse Race and the Padang Panjang Horse Race.
- External Entrants: Evaluation was based on the results of the last two races participated in by the horse in their respective regions, provided that the distance and age categories were equivalent.
Competition implications
Based on this ranking system, participants were allocated into two final categories:
- Main Class (Derby): Horses ranked 1st through 12th qualified for the main gates to compete for the 2025 Sawahlunto Derby title over a distance of 1,500 meters.
- Consolation Class (Derby Candidates): Horses ranked 13th and below were diverted to compete in the Class AB 3-Year-Old (Kelas Remaja) category over a distance of 1,300 meters.[4]
Records
Most wins by a jockey:
- 2 wins – Yoserizal (2011, 2017)
- 2 wins – Rudy Junior (2015, 2024)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 2 wins – Iwan Kurniawan (2008, 2010)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 wins – Beni Amniza Putra (2016, 2021)
Fastest winning time (1,500m):
- 1:38.48 – Pesona Asmara (2008)
- 1:38.99 – Delima Queen (2016)
- 1:39.21 – Ratu Aquila (2022)
Winners since 2007
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner(s) | Time | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Spirit Sikumbang | N. Suryana | Ferry Saddak | Sikumbang Stable | 1:43.99 | [5][6][7] |
| 2008 | Pesona Asmara | T. Firmansyah | Iwan Kurniawan | Rajawali Stable | 1:38.48 | |
| 2009 | Pesona Demokrat | Hanny Suoth | Michel Umboh | Effendi Amir | 1:50.70 | |
| 2010 | Blezzing BMW | Wawan | Iwan Kurniawan | BMW Stable | 1:39.38 | |
| 2011 | Siti Jenar | Yoserizal | Maidison | Satria Stable | 1:42.21 | |
| 2012 | Permata Sartika | Antoni | Kamba Darus | Wismar | 1:40.66 | |
| 2013 | Salido | T. Pantow | Coen Singal | Erizal Chaniago | 1:42.99 | |
| 2014 | Ambun Marapi | T. Buyung | Atrizal | Nikita Stable | 1:39.58 | |
| 2015 | Putri Binari | Rudy Junior | Firdaus Hanafi | - [N 1] | 1:43.18 | |
| 2016 | Delima Queen | Jhonny Adrian | Lim Jack | Beni Amniza Putra | 1:38.99 | [5][6][8] |
| 2017 | Sako Biru | Yoserizal | Wendra | John Nasril | 1:39.30 | [5][6][7] |
| 2018 | Pioneer Srigunting | Ridwan Barat | -[N 1] | Derri Asta | 1:41.59 1:43.78 [T 1] |
[5][6][7][9] |
| 2019 | Black Dragon | Hermansyah | Ben | Amril Jailani | 1:43.97 | [10] |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | |||||
| 2021 | Cahaya Delima | Meikel Soleran | Ricky | Beni Amniza Putra | 1:40.64 | [6][11] |
| 2022 | Ratu Aquila | Rian Firmansyah | Erwan Nasril | Sako Biro | 1:39.21 | [12] |
| 2023 | King of Istana | Yani Rondonuwu | Nicky Pantouw | Istana Stable | 1:40.54 | [13][14] |
| 2024 | Romantic Spartan | Rudy Junior | Tuan Amris | San Marino Stable | 1:40.81 | [15][16] |
| 2025 | Milea Guti | Fajar Walangitan | Syafrinal | Guti Stable | 1:44.60 | [17] |