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SARGA.CO—Every year, PORDASI holds various championships that feature multiple racing classes categorized by age and height. Among these, three classes stand out as the most prestigious—coveted by the best racehorses in the country. Here’s the full breakdown!
In general, PORDASI organizes two main categories in its horse racing classifications: age-based and height-based groups.
For the age-based group, classes are divided according to horses aged two, three, and four years. Each age group includes both male and female horses. However, there is one special class exclusively for three-year-old female horses, called the 3-Year-Old Fillies 1,600-Meter Class, known as the Pertiwi Cup.
Meanwhile, the height-based group is categorized according to the horse’s height, regardless of age. In other words, horses from different age groups—starting from two years old and above—may compete as long as they meet the required height standards and other set conditions.
Specifically for the age-based classes, there are further divisions into National Championship (Kejurnas) and Non-National Championship (Non-Kejurnas) categories, each with the following height classifications:
All of these groups—both age and height—are generally divided into 13 or more classes.
Referring to the Racing Rules and National Horse Racing Championship Implementation Guidelines issued by PORDASI, Article 120 outlines the Barrier Draw process. During this process, the grouping is conducted by the Steward at the time of the draw.
In addition to determining groups or classes, this process also establishes saddle numbers, gate numbers, and start times for each race. It’s important to note that gate numbers must be determined through a lottery system.
Among the various classes mentioned, there are three that stand out as the ultimate highlight and are the most sought-after by racehorses across Indonesia. It’s not just about the hefty prize, but also a battle of pride and prestige. These are the elite divisions featuring the highest level of competition.
It’s no wonder they also serve as a benchmark of achievement for owners, trainers, and jockeys looking to etch their names in national racing history. So, what are these classes? Let’s take a closer look.
Recognized as one of the most prestigious events in the national racing calendar, this class is open to three-year-old horses that have demonstrated the best performance throughout the season.
Typically, only three-year-old racehorses are considered eligible—an age regarded as the golden period that marks the peak of a racehorse’s athletic ability.
Aside from age, past race performance also plays a vital role in the selection process. Horses that have participated in official races and achieved competitive times have a greater chance of being selected.
Winning the Derby Class is not only a symbol of speed supremacy but also proof of a well-rounded training process. That’s why any horse that conquers this class automatically joins the ranks of the nation’s best.
The 3-Year-Old Derby Class – 1,600 Meters is part of the National Championship Series I organized by PORDASI, and it serves as the pinnacle of the Triple Crown title race.
This means that any horse that wins the first two series and then claims victory in the 3-Year-Old Derby 1,600-Meter race will be crowned the Triple Crown Champion—the highest honor in national horse racing.
However, even if a horse only wins the Derby Class, it still earns the title of Derby Champion, an achievement no less prestigious than the Triple Crown.
As of 2025, a total of 51 horses have won the Derby Class, with four achieving the coveted Triple Crown. The most recent champion, King Argentin, made history by winning both the Derby and the 2025 Triple Crown title.
In short-distance races, the Class A Super Sprint (1,300 meters) stands out as one of the most prestigious events in the national horse racing calendar. This race gathers the best horses to compete in speed, acceleration, and power.
Although it shares the same distance as regular short-distance races, the Super Sprint Class represents ultimate prestige and pride for any horse that conquers it.
This class demands explosive speed from the start, precise positioning, and optimal stamina in a short duration. It’s where a trainer’s strategy, a jockey’s skill, and a horse’s instincts are truly tested.
In Indonesia, the Super Sprint Class isn’t just about speed—it’s about consistency and character. Each year, the Class A Super Sprint – 1,300 meters is held as part of the National Championship Series II.
Since its debut in 2009, the Super Sprint Class has produced a lineup of extraordinary short-distance racers.
Queen Thalassa is among the few to claim two victories, in 2019 and 2024, solidifying her status as a sprint legend.
Another notable name, Djohar Manik, achieved back-to-back wins in 2014 and 2016—further cementing his legacy as one of Indonesia’s most impressive racehorses.
Most recently, Princess Gavi claimed victory in the Class A Super Sprint (1,300 meters), reaffirming her remarkable consistency and dominance across various national horse racing divisions.
If the Super Sprint reigns supreme in short-distance racing, then the Class A Star of Stars (2,200 meters) is the crown jewel of long-distance competition.
Part of the National Championship Series II, Star of Stars is known as the ultimate test of a true champion horse.
In this class, victory isn’t determined by speed alone. Horses need iron-like stamina, strategic race management, and extensive experience to emerge as winners. It’s no surprise that champions in this class are often remembered as track legends.
Throughout history, the list of Star of Stars champions in Indonesia has been filled with remarkable names who have consistently delivered outstanding performances.
Take Saud from Central Java, for example—he remains the most dominant horse in the history of this event, with five consecutive wins between 2010 and 2014 alongside jockey Jendri Turangan.
Following him is Djohar Manik, also from Central Java, who won this class in 2015, 2017, and 2018 under two different jockeys.
By 2021, dominance shifted to West Java through the achievements of Queen Thalassa and Queen Divona. Both horses, trained under King Halim Stable, delivered exceptional performances.
Queen Thalassa won in 2021 and 2023, while her younger sister, Queen Divona, continued the legacy by claiming the Star of Stars title in 2024.
In 2025, Naga Sembilan dh. Leonidas proved its prowess in the long-distance division after an intense battle against Queen Divona and Triple SS. Representing Red Stone Stable, the powerhouse horse secured the top podium in Class A Star of Stars (2,200 meters).
These three competition classes represent the pinnacle of Indonesia’s annual horse racing championships, bringing together the nation’s best racehorses. Each serves not only as a showcase of speed and endurance but also as a symbol of prestige and honor in the Indonesian horse racing scene.
Horses that make it to the podium in any of these three elite classes earn a place in PORDASI’s history—recognition as true legends of the track.
According to Danang Eko Yulianto, S.Pt., M.Si., Secretary of the Horse Racing Commission at PP PORDASI, these achievements are a source of immense pride for the entire team and mark the horse’s legacy in national horse racing history.
No wonder that victories in these premier classes are not just about recording the fastest times—they’re about legacy and reputation that endure in the world of racing.
Ultimately, these three classes serve as the ultimate stage for the finest horses to prove their skill and consistency on the track.
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