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Horse racing in Indonesia is a form of equestrian sport steeped in Indonesian history and culture. The history of this sports starts during the Dutch East Indies colonial period. This sport was later standardized as an official competition under the Equestrian Association of Indonesia (PORDASI).

Most of the known history of horseracing in Indonesia comes from the Dutch East Indies colonial period. The earliest record of modern horse races was reported during the British interregnum in 1812, as a form of recreation for colonial officials, nobility, and the elite.^[1] Over time, it has been adapted and integrated into local traditions across the archipelago, such as in Bima (known as pacoa jara),^[2] Sumbawa (known as maen jaran), Aceh (known as pacu kude),^[3] West Sumatra (known as pacu kudo for flat horse racing and draft bogie for carriage driving)^[4], and North Sulawesi.^[5]

Horse racing in the Dutch East Indies was governed by the Javan Horse and Harness Racing Association (De Javasche Ren- en Harddraverij Vereeniging), an extension of the Netherlands Harness and Horse Racing Association (Nederlandsche Harddraverij en Renvereeniging). Several regional organizations also operated, including the Batavia–Buitenzorg Racing Club (Batavia–Buitenzorg Wedloop Sociëteit), the Semarang Horseracing Society (Wedloop Sociëteit Semarang), the Priangan Horseracing Club (Preanger Wedloop Sociëteit),^[6] the Surabaya Harness and Flat Horse Racing Association (Soerabaijasche Harddraverij en Renvereeniging),^[7] and the Deli Racing Association (De Deli Renvereeniging).^[8] The common horse breeds used during this era included imported Australian or English thoroughbreds, Arabian horse, ponies, local horses specific to each region (e.g. Preanger horse or Sandalwood pony), as well as crossbreeds.^[9]

Many racecourses of the colonial era have fallen into disuse, with some being repurposed for other public usage. For example, the racecourse in Koningsplein is now a part of Merdeka Square. A racecourse in Tegallega, Bandung is now turned into Tegallega Square which houses the monument commemorating the event of Bandung Sea of Fire.^[10] A notable exception is the Bancah Laweh Racecourse in Padang Panjang, established in 1913, which inspired one of the settings in Hamka‘s 1939 novel titled Tenggelamnya Kapal van der Wijck.^[4][11]

Following the Dutch East Indies campaign by Imperial Japan in March 1942, the horse racing scene came to a halt. During the time, horses were primarily used for military purposes and helping war efforts until after the transfer of sovereignty to Indonesia in 1949.^[4]

Horse racing enthusiasts in Indonesia took the initiative to revive the sport after its hiatus during World War II. The return of colonial horse racing in the newly born country of Indonesia began with the reopening of the Tegallega racecourse in Bandung in 1948 after repairs following damage during the Japanese occupation. In addition to the opening ceremony of the racetrack, the event also marked the reactivation of the Preanger Wedloop Sociëteit (later renamed Perkumpulan Pacuan Kuda Priangan), which had been dormant during the Japanese occupation.^[12] Other organizations such as the Batavia–Buitenzorg Wedloop Sociëteit (later renamed Perkumpulan Pacuan Kuda Djakarta-Bogor) follow suit in their reopening the next year.^[13]

Note that although horse racing organizations existed before independence, they did not yet operate on a national scale and were largely regional in nature. Efforts to unite these associations resulted in the formation of the Indonesian Horse Racing Association (Pusat Organisasi Poni Seluruh Indonesia, POPSI) around 1953, led by Lieutenant Colonel Singgih. Unfortunately, POPSI failed to develop and faded overtime.^[14]

During the transition to the New Order in 1966, an exhibition race was held in Bandung on June 9. This culminated in a meeting on June 11–12, which formally established the Equestrian Association of Indonesia (PORDASI), with Achmad Sham as its general chairman. Few months later, the newly formed organization requested then-General Suharto to serve as the “godfather of Indonesian horse racing” and to permit the use of his name for the upcoming national championship. His approval was formalized through the Surat Keputusan Direktur Jenderal Olahraga No. 016/1966, dated October 28, 1966, which officially recognized PORDASI as the national governing body for equestrian sports in Indonesia.^[14] Suharto’s horse, Diana, won the inaugural Soeharto Cup held in Bogor on November 12–13, 1966.^[15]

In 1971, the Pulomas Racecourse was built in East Jakarta, inaugurated by then-Governor Ali Sadikin. This racecourse was developed and financed by Djakarta Racing Management, a joint venture between the Jakarta provincial government and a private Australian consortium. The racecourse’s construction and operation also received support from notable figures, such as retired military officer and founder of Kopassus, Alex Kawilarang and renowned Australian racehorse trainer Bart Cummings.^[16] This racecourse also introduced the totalizator system for wagering, which was legalized in Jakarta until a nationwide gambling ban was enacted in 1981.^[17]

During this time, the horses that were being raced range from full thoroughbreds (some of which were imports from Australia), local horses (colloquially known as sandel), or crossbreeds. This era also introduced a new classification system for crossbred horses, known locally as G horses (kuda G), where G1 referred to the first generation of crossbreeds, G2 to the second generation (crossed again with a thoroughbred), and so forth.

This era saw the first ever winner of the Indonesian Triple Crown, Mystere, in 1977. However, the title’s designation was discontinued not long after in 1979.^[15]

During this time, a new term designated for crossbred horses called Kuda Pacu Indonesia (KPI) was created, defined as a cross between G3 and/or G4 horses. ^[18]

Manik Trisula became the second horse and the first filly to win the Indonesian Triple Crown in 2002, marking the end of a 25-year hiatus in the series. Following this, Djohar Manik became the third horse to achieve the title in 2014.

Since the fall of Suharto, the popularity of horse racing in Indonesia plummeted.^[19] In 2016, Pulomas Racecourse shut down its operation to make way for the new construction of Jakarta International Equestrian Park, which was completed in preparation for the 2018 Asian Games.^[20]

In anticipation for the 2016 Pekan Olahraga Nasional, a racecourse in Pangandaran Regency, West Java was upgraded to fulfill national standard and was finished by August 2016.^[21][22]

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, horse racing in Indonesia kept on, with major races like the A.E. Kawilarang Memorial Cup, the first leg of the Kejurnas series, and various regional races being held.^[23][24]

Efforts to revive the sport emerged again in the 2020s, with promoters such as SARGA.CO launching national racing circuits in collaboration with PORDASI to professionalize horse racing and attract younger audiences.^[25][26]

The global release of Umamusume: Pretty Derby on June 2025 unexpectedly became a catalyst for the revival of horse racing scene in Indonesia among young people.^[27] The promoter SARGA.CO, which organizes national horse racing events, acknowledged the franchise’s influence and has since partnered with several local Umamusume fan communities to promote the sport.^[28][29] Coincidentally, on July 27, King Argentin achieved a historic milestone by winning all three legs of the Indonesian Triple Crown, becoming the fourth horse to accomplish the feat after an 11-year hiatus.^[30]

In 2025, after almost a month since the Milord tragedy in Jateng Derby, a regional horse racing championship known as the Milord Memorial Cup is held at Maesa Tompaso Racecourse. This horse racing championship was held and organized to commemorate Milord, the famous racehorse in North Sulawesi.

Based on height

1. Kejurnas Class Classification:

• Kelas A Height 161,1 cm above
• Kelas B Height 156,1 cm to 161 cm
• Kelas C Height 151,1 cm to 156 cm
• Kelas D Height 146,1 cm to 151 cm
• Kelas E Height 142,1 cm to 146 cm
• Kelas F Height 138,1 cm to 142 cm

2. Non Kejurnas Class Classification:

• Kelas G Height 134,1 cm to 138 cm
• Kelas H Height 130,1 cm to 134 cm
• Kelas I Height 127,1 cm to 130 cm
• Kelas J Height 124,1 cm to 127 cm

Based on THB (Thoroughbred percentage)

As most Indonesian race horses are crossbreeds between Thoroughbreds and locals, they are classified according to their Thoroughbred blood percentage, a system commonly referred to as the G-horse grading. This is done to ensure that bloodlines can be tracked for breeding and selection.

The classification begins with G1, representing first-generation crossbreeds between local horses (also known in this classification as G0/sandel) and Thoroughbreds (also known as THB). In Mendelian terms, each generation doubles the proportion of Thoroughbred genetic material, resulting in 50% (G1), 75% (G2), 87.5% (G3), and so forth. Horses beyond the 4th generation are commonly referred to using “KP”, which progresses through KP5, KP6, KP7, and so on.^[14]

In 1996, a new alternative designation for crossbred racehorses known as Kuda Pacu Indonesia (KPI) was standardized. This generation of horses are defined as crosses between third-generation (G3) and fourth-generation (G4) breeds. This classification was officially launched by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2013.^[18]

Based on age

• Kelas Pemula/Perdana (2 – 3 years old)

Usually filled novice horses who are just starting their career as racehorses.

• Kelas Remaja/Derby (3 years old)

Featuring great horses who have competed in previous races. In this year, every 3-year-old racehorse can also try for the Triple Crown, which is exclusive to 3-year-olds racehorses and can only participate once in a lifetime.

• Kelas Dewasa (3 years old above)

Filled with senior horses aged 3 years and above.

These are a series of flat horse races. Each classic is run once each year and is a part of Pordasi’s national calendar.

Race	Date	Distance	First run	Type of classic
Triple Crown Series 1	March / April	1200 meters		Triple Crown
Triple Crown Series 2	May	1600 meters		Triple Crown
Kejurnas Series 1	July	2000 meters	1966	Kejurnas
Indonesia Derby	July	2000 meters	1974	Triple Crown
Kejurnas Series 2	October	1300 meters (Super Sprint) 2200 meters (Star of Stars)	1966	Kejurnas

Triple Crown Series

Also known as Tiga Mahkota Series. Indonesian horses, both colts and fillies, obtain the Triple Crown title by winning all three legs. This series consists of:

• Triple Crown Series 1
• Triple Crown Series 2
• Indonesia Derby

Kejuaraan Nasional Pacuan Kuda Pordasi Series

Initially called “Soeharto Cup” during the New Order era.

• • Kejurnas Series 1
  • Kejurnas Series 2

Other major races include:

• A.E. Kawilarang Memorial Cup
• Jateng Derby
• Pertiwi Cup (for 3-years old fillies)
• Piala Ketua Umum Pengurus Pusat Pordasi (Piala Ketum PP Pordasi)
• Piala Raja Hamengku Buwono
• Pakualam Cup
• Mangkunegaran Cup
• Sumpah Pemuda Cup

Regional horse racing series:

• Sawahlunto Derby
• Bantul Cup
• Wisata Derby Bukittinggi
• Piala Pangdam Udayana
• Bupati Minahasa Cup
• Minang Derby ^{[note 1]}
• Taliabo Derby ^{[note 2]}
• Jakarta Derby ^{[note 3]}

Outside of national competitions organized by PORDASI, regional branches and local administrators also hold their own horse racing events, ranging from modern flat races to traditional forms of competition).^[31][32] Horse racing is also commonly contested at the Pekan Olahraga Nasional, its most recent inclusion being at the 2024 edition.^[33]

Most horse racing tracks in Indonesia are dirt tracks, apart from Yosonegoro Racecourse in Gorontalo, which is the only turf track in the country.

Venue	Location	Track	Status	Have participated in national-level race(s)[a]
Arcamanik Racecourse	Bandung, West Java	Dirt	Defunct since 2009
Balitka Racecourse	Manado, North Sulawesi	Dirt	Active	Regional
Bancah Laweh Racecourse	Padang Panjang, West Sumatra	Dirt	Active	Regional
Bukik Ambacang Racecourse	Bukittinggi, West Sumatra	Dirt[b]	Active	Regional
HM Hasan Gayo Racecourse	Takengon, Aceh	Dirt	Active
Ki Ageng Astrojoyo Racecourse	Pasuruan, East Java	Dirt	Inactive since 2024
Kubu Gadang Racecourse	Payakumbuh, West Sumatra	Dirt	Active
Legokjawa Racecourse	Pangandaran, West Java	Dirt	Active
Lembah Kara Racecourse	Dompu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara	Dirt	Active	Regional
Maesa Tompaso Racecourse	Tompaso, North Sulawesi	Dirt	Active
Pada Eweta Racecourse	Waikabubak, East Nusa Tenggara	Dirt	Active	Regional
Pulomas Racecourse	East Jakarta	Dirt	Defunct since 2016
Rihi Eti Racecourse	Waingapu, East Nusa Tenggara	Dirt	Active	Regional
Sawahlunto Racecourse	Sawahlunto, West Sumatra	Dirt	Active
Sultan Agung Racecourse	Bantul, DIY	Dirt	Active
Tanah Sareal Racecourse	Bogor, West Java	Turf	Defunct since 1967
Tegallega Racecourse	Bandung, West Java	Turf	Defunct since the 1970s
Tegalwaton Racecourse	Semarang Regency, Central Java	Dirt	Active
Yosonegoro Racecourse	Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo	Turf	Active	Regional