

SARGA.CO — In the world of horse racing, few titles stir the blood, ignite dreams, and spark tension quite like the Triple Crown. In Indonesia, this coveted title is more than just a symbol of greatness — it’s a living legend, rarely achieved. Unlike its international counterparts, which are often run across grueling distances, the Indonesian Triple Crown takes on a distinct form: three stages specially designed to test the endurance and strength of locally bred horses.
It begins with Series I (1,200 meters) in April, followed by Series II (1,600 meters) in May, and culminates in the grand finale — the 2,000-meter Indonesia Derby in July.
“This format considers the condition of our horses. If we jump straight to 2,400 meters like in other countries, many would collapse,” said Ir. H. Munawir, Chair of the Racing Commission at PP PORDASI.
A History Not Easily Repeated
Throughout PORDASI’s history, only two horses have ever swept all three stages and etched their names as Triple Crown champions: Manik Trisula in 2002 and Djohar Manik in 2014. Since then, the crown seems to have vanished into legend — a heroic tale nearly impossible to replicate.
Many have come close. King Master (2006), King Runny Star (2015), Nara Asmara (2016), and Queen Thalassa (2019) all stumbled just one leg away from glory. Others, like Pesona Nagari (2008) and Bintang Maja (2023), faltered in the very first round, only to dominate the remaining two. In 2018, Lady Aria had to settle for second place in Series II, despite victories in the other two legs.
As in other nations, Indonesia’s Triple Crown is open only to three-year-old horses. That means each horse gets just one shot in its lifetime to enter the pages of Indonesian racing history.
“The Triple Crown isn’t just about speed,” Munawir explained. “It’s about consistency, strategy, and nerves of steel. A horse must be able to race under all conditions — weather, track, and psychological pressure.”
Chasing the Nearly Impossible
Yes, the Indonesian Triple Crown is grueling — and that’s exactly where its magic lies. It’s a title that drives owners, trainers, jockeys, and even grooms to dream big, despite the odds.
And when, at last, a horse manages to conquer all three races, the racing world erupts in celebration. Because they know what they’ve just witnessed wasn’t merely a race — it was the birth of a legend.
They are the queens who rule the battlefield.
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