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SARGA.CO—Among the many national horse racing championships, the Sultan Agung Horse Racing Track in Bantul, DIY (Special Region of Yogyakarta), stands as a historical circuit. This arena has not only hosted the IHR: Indonesia Derby 2025, but also gave rise to track stars in the Indonesia’s Horse Racing Cup 2025, Indonesia’s Horse Racing: Triple Crown Serie 1, and the Pertiwi Cup 2025.
Before reaching its current state, the Sultan Agung Horse Racing Track underwent phased construction. Based on information from various sources, the grassy field of this racecourse was completed in 2004, along with the open stands on the east side.
The racecourse was then inaugurated by the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, in 2007. That moment coincided with the DIY Regional Sports Week (Pekan Olahraga Daerah or Porda).
In preparation for the 2008 Main Division Competition, the construction of open stands, which covered about 70 percent of the field on the north, east, and south sides, was finished in June.
Subsequently, in November 2010, the west grandstand was equipped with supporting facilities, accommodating up to 5,000 spectators. Although not all stands were roofed, a VVIP area was already available.
In addition to the horse racing arena, the complex is also equipped with a soccer field and a roller-skating track. The presence of a stadium and a racecourse within one sports complex makes the Sultan Agung Horse Racing Track easy to integrate for various sporting events.
However, this condition simultaneously necessitates technical adjustments so that the racecourse does not interfere with the main stadium's function.
The selection of this racecourse for several national championships is certainly not without reason. One of the key advantages of the Sultan Agung Horse Racing Track is its capacity to host large-scale events with participants from across provinces.
For instance, at the Indonesia’s Horse Racing Cup 2025, 131 horses from 13 provinces competed in 18 racing classes. This number increased for the opening series of the Triple Crown, specifically the Indonesia’s Horse Racing Cup: Triple Crown Serie 1 & Pertiwi Cup 2025 event, where 163 horses competed in 18 races.
The peak occurred at the IHR: Indonesia Derby 2025, when 156 horses and 54 jockeys competed in 18 classes.
This data indicates that the Sultan Agung Horse Racing Track can accommodate various racing classes, from smaller categories to serving as the final arena for prestigious duels like the IHR: Indonesia Derby 2025 over a distance of 2,000 meters.
In the second half of 2025, the racecourse was again appointed as the venue for the National Horse Racing Championship Series II, precisely on October 19, 2025.
As one of the still-active racing arenas, the Sultan Agung Horse Racing Track features a 1,200-meter oval track with a sand or dirt surface.
Based on gathered information, the racecourse was designed to racing standards. The track uses a granular surface consisting of sand or a soil mixture.
When the race is underway, the dust billowing behind the horses indicates that the track is not paved; rather, it's designed with good drainage and safe grip for the horses.
Unfortunately, to date, no official publication from PORDASI (the Indonesian Equestrian Sports Association) has explicitly detailed the track dimensions, such as the width, corner radius, and elevation at the Sultan Agung Horse Racing Track.
This racecourse has a number of facilities to support the smooth running of championships.
Starting gates and a horse preparation area are specially set up for major championships. Based on information from several local media, other supporting infrastructure includes a logistics area, horse transportation access, and temporary facilities for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises).
Nevertheless, the availability of stables remains limited. This condition often leads residents to provide their garages or private land as temporary stabling for competing horses.
The Sultan Agung Horse Racing Track possesses several advantages that make it a primary choice for hosting national-level horse racing championships, including:
As the main stadium in Bantul, the track is easily accessible from various areas in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Its geographical location also supports the attendance of participants and spectators from multiple regions across Indonesia.
The Sultan Agung Horse Racing Track has a solid track record as a host for prestigious events.
Events like the IHR: Indonesia’s Horse Racing Cup: Triple Crown Serie 1 & Pertiwi Cup 2025 series and the IHR: Indonesia Derby 2025 reinforce its national reputation.
Citing a study titled "Development of the Sultan Agung Bantul Stadium Complex into an International Level Sport Center Area" by Nanang Setiono, the presence of a stadium integrated with a racecourse makes land utilization more efficient.
Not only that, this condition maximizes supporting facilities such as grandstands, parking areas, and fairly complete accessibility.
A PORDASI release noted that the national championship at the Sultan Agung Horse Racing Track helps mobilize local MSMEs, particularly in the food, beverage, and land rental sectors.
In addition, data presented by Katadata also highlights that Indonesia’s Horse Racing: Triple Crown Serie 1 & Pertiwi Cup 2025 event attracted more than 20,000 spectators.
This significantly increases the Sultan Agung Horse Racing Track's potential as a sports tourism destination, impacting the economy of the surrounding community.
With its long history, continuously developed facilities, and track record as a host for prestigious national events, the Sultan Agung Horse Racing Track further asserts its position as an icon of horse racing in Indonesia.
It is not only an arena for competition, but its existence also brings economic impact while strengthening Bantul's potential as a sports tourism destination.
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