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.
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.
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.
NoRace nameGradeDistance13 years old Derby Heat IEliminationDirt 1500m23 years old Derby Heat IIEliminationDirt 1500m3Sawahlunto DerbyDerby 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.
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). 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.
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 2007 Spirit Sikumbang N. Suryana Ferry Saddak Sikumbang Stable 1:43.99 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 - Conflict Between Sources. Need Further Research. (December 2025) 1:43.18 2016 Delima Queen Jhonny Adrian Lim Jack Beni Amniza Putra 1:38.99 2017 Sako Biru Yoserizal Wendra John Nasril 1:39.30 2018 Pioneer Srigunting Ridwan Barat - Derri Asta 1:41.59 1:43.78 1:41.59 is reported by Antaranews while 1:43.78 is reported by Cindua Mato Channel (December 2025) 2019 Black Dragon Hermansyah Ben Amril Jailani 1:43.97 2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic 2021 Cahaya Delima Meikel Soleran Ricky Beni Amniza Putra 1:40.64 2022 Ratu Aquila Rian Firmansyah Erwan Nasril Sako Biro 1:39.21 2023 King of Istana Yani Rondonuwu Nicky Pantouw Istana Stable 1:40.54 2024 Romantic Spartan Rudy Junior Tuan Amris San Marino Stable 1:40.81 2025 Milea Guti Fajar Walangitan Syafrinal Guti Stable 1:44.60
See also Horse racing in Indonesia List of racehorses Indonesia Derby PORDASI
Notes
References