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voice that guides emotion breaks the silence and brings every hoofbeat on the racetrack to life. Hengky Yandrika, better known as Hengky, is one of only three commentators in Indonesia’s horse racing championship scene.
His story is not one of ambition but of a deep and unwavering love—for horses. A love not passed down from family, not taught by anyone, but one that bloomed the moment he saw horses run across the Turonggo field in Ambarawa back in 1998.
Hengky’s journey didn’t begin under the spotlight but through a small YouTube screen.
“I used to visit my uncle’s stable often just to see a stallion named Angelo Eclipse. I loved it so much I’d go five or six times a day. Then, I started recording and uploading the videos to YouTube. I didn’t expect so many people to watch,” he said.
When Haji Munawir from Tombo Ati Stable entrusted him to commentate officially for the first time at the National Championship Series 1 in 2024, Hengky was hesitant. But his heart said yes.
“Nervous? Absolutely. But when I saw names like King Argentin, Wonder Land, or Megantara, something inside me changed. I wanted to bring their stories to life,” he said.
From that moment on, the microphone was no longer just a tool—it became a bridge to share his lifelong love for horses with thousands of listeners.
If there was one race that brought him to tears, it was when Megantara fell short at the 2023 Indonesia Derby.
“Just 100 meters in, his post-step slipped. Megantara pulled back. I rolled onto the field and cried. People saw me, but I didn’t care. That horse was the offspring of my uncle’s stallion, and the owner was a close friend. It felt like losing family.”
But through that loss, Hengky’s love for the sport only deepened. “Racing taught me that not everything you love will win. But it's still worth fighting for.”
For Hengky, being a commentator isn’t just about calling who’s leading at the final corner or who's fastest down the straight. He is a living archive of Indonesia’s racehorses.
He knows their histories, their jockey combinations, and even the character of each racetrack.
“Two days before race day, I can’t sleep. I study the Racebook, take notes, analyze, and memorize everything—from the starting number to performance history. A good commentator doesn’t just know the name; they know the story behind it.”
He’s studied football commentators and even voices from the Kentucky Derby. His style is calm, sometimes explosive at a race’s climax—but always controlled.
“What matters most is having a signature style, so when people hear the voice, they know: it’s Hengky,” he explained.
Today, Hengky still holds a dream close to his heart: to build his horse farm in the mountains. “I want to own the best horse farm in Indonesia. I want to have my racehorses. Maybe it’s expensive, maybe it’s impossible—but dreams are meant to be chased.”
And when asked what advice he’d give to young people who want to follow in his footsteps: “Fall in love with the horse first. Once you love it, God will guide you to the right people. There’s no end to what you can learn about horses. The key is: never stop learning,” he said.
To some, Hengky is just a voice from behind a speaker. But to the horse racing world, he is the bridge between emotion and fact, between hoofbeats and stories.
A voice born of pure love, and one that will echo for as long as horses keep running on the track. Please let me know if you'd like this to be formatted as an article layout or if you need a shorter version for social media or press
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