

SARGA.CO – The Indonesia Horse Racing (IHR) Cup II 2025 officially opened with the Class I New Draf Bogie, a 2,400-meter race held at the Kubu Gadang Horse Racing Arena in Payakumbuh, West Sumatra, on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
Seven participants competed with their best horses, showcasing beauty and precision as they circled the track three times.
In a Draf Bogie race, horses run while pulling a bogie cart, usually carrying a single driver. The course is longer than a standard modern racetrack, demanding strength and endurance more than sheer sprint speed, as the horses must pull extra weight.
There are typically two categories: the Old Draft Bogie (3,200 meters) and the New Draft Bogie (2,400 meters).
The bogies vary from handmade traditional carts to locally modified versions that still preserve their traditional essence.
Unlike conventional horse racing, victory is not decided by the first horse to cross the finish line. Instead, a panel of judges evaluates the elegance and harmony of the horse’s movements while pulling the buggy along the track.
The race began at 8:30 a.m. local time and offered a unique spectacle. Jockeys aimed to guide their horses with grace and steady rhythm to complete the 2,400-meter course.
Three horses emerged as winners of this opening event of the IHR Cup II 2025, competing for the Sarga Trophy with a total prize of IDR 10 million:
1st Place: Kharanggo Chaniago
Jockey: Jangguik – Owner: Akirudin.
A 3-year-old karanggo-colored mare.
2nd Place: Kalupak BK
Jockey: An Ameh – Owner: Eri Medan.
A 3-year-old red mare.
3rd Place: Bintang Payo Badar
Jockey: Edi – Owners: Nanda and Kenzie.
A 3-year-old bolang-colored stallion.
Though steeped in tradition, Draf Bogie racing remains a regular feature at official events such as the Indonesia Horse Racing (IHR) Cup. At the 2025 IHR Cup, the Draf Bogie segment offered prizes of up to IDR 10 million.
For enthusiasts of traditional racing, it’s not merely about the reward—victory in a Draf Bogie race carries deep cultural prestige, which is why this class consistently draws large crowds despite its simple, low-tech setting.
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