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SARGA.CO—Every year, PORDASI, through its Racing Commission, establishes the agenda for the national horse racing Kejuaraan Nasional (National Championship) in the national racing calendar. This calendar is divided into two main series: Kejuaraan Nasional Seri I (National Championship Series I) and Kejuaraan Nasional Seri II (National Championship Series II).
Each series features flagship classes that attract horse racing enthusiasts across Indonesia. What are they? Here’s the complete breakdown!
According to the PORDASI-issued Racing Regulations and Implementation Guidelines for the Horse Racing National Championship, the Kejuaraan Nasional is one of the five classifications of official races regulated by the organization.
The five classifications include Regional Level Races, National Level Races, Kejuaraan Nasional, Classic Races, and Handicap Races.
Unlike Regional Level Races, which are entirely organized by the Provincial Boards (Pengprov) and may involve invitations between different Pengprovs, the Kejuaraan Nasional is directly under the control of the Racing Commission.
If the Kejuaraan Nasional is held in a specific region, the Racing Commission will form a Regional Committee to prepare the facilities and infrastructure.
Despite this, the technical execution and control of the race proceedings remain the authority of the Board of Stewards appointed by the PP PORDASI Racing Commission.
The first Kejuaraan Nasional Horse Race was held in 1966, coinciding with the founding year of PORDASI. Since then, this event has been routinely held every year. In 2025, the Kejuaraan Nasional is entering its 59th edition.
Throughout its history, the Kejuaraan Nasional (Kejurnas) has undergone various adjustments in its competition format. However, the division of the championship into two series has remained consistent, in line with the initial concept established since its inception.
Within one racing calendar period, PORDASI holds two series of the Kejuaraan Nasional. In the Kejurnas event, each provincial representative competes for a number of points determined by the Racing Commission.
The scheduling of these two series is decided through the National Working Meeting (RAKERNAS), which is routinely held at the beginning of the year.
Kejurnas Seri I focuses on age group competitions, ranging from horses two to four years old. This series also features two special classes for Thoroughbred horses: the 2-Year-Old THB INA Class over 1,400 meters and the 3-Year-Old and Up THB INA Class over 1,600 meters.
Meanwhile, Kejurnas Seri II focuses more on height group competitions, ranging from Class A to Class F. For both Kejnas series, all race results are converted into points and then accumulated.
The contingent or provincial representative with the highest total points from that accummulations earns the right to be crowned the overall champion and take home the President's Cup.
The organization of the Kejuaraan Nasional Horse Race in Indonesia is generally divided into two periods: Seri I in July and Seri II, which is held between September and October. Here is a detailed explanation.
Seri I, held in July, is closely linked to the age factor of the horses. This is because the races in this series feature the best horses based on their age groups. Danang Eko Yulianto, S.Pt., M.Si., the Racing Secretary of PP PORDASI also explained this. He elaborated that racehorses in Indonesia undergo an age change in August.
This means that all horses competing based on age category will change age every August 1st. As an example, Danang mentioned the Derby Class, which features three-year-old horses.
"For example, for horses participating in the Derby Class, on July 31st, they are still under four years old. Entering August, the horses competing in the Derby Class move up to the four-year-old class," he explained.
In other words, horses competing in the Derby Class will only turn four on August 1st. This is because their age officially increases on that date, regardless of their actual birth date.
It is also at this age transition moment that the horses in the Derby Class move up to the competition for the four-year-old age group.
It should be noted that Kejuaraan Nasional Seri I is usually held concurrently with the peak of the Triple Crown series, namely IHR: Indonesia Derby.
In the same interview, Danang explained that the Triple Crown series is actually a separate event from Kejurnas Seri I. However, its pinnacle, IHR: Indonesia Derby, becomes part of the Kejurnas Seri I agenda.
"The third series (pinnacle) of the Triple Crown coincides with the Indonesia Derby, which is part of the Kejurnas Seri I series," Danang clarified.
Thus, IHR: Indonesia Derby not only serves as the peak of the Triple Crown but also confirms its position as the main highlight of Kejurnas Seri I.
After Kejurnas Seri I is held in July, the series continues with Kejurnas Seri II, which ideally takes place every September. However, in practice, Kejurnas Seri II can be implemented between September and October.
This adjustment is usually related to venue readiness and other technical factors. For instance, if the Kejurnas is held off-island, this time frame allows horses from outside the region more opportunity to prepare for the competition.
In Seri II, the races are focused on height groups. Nevertheless, this second series also features additional classes grouped by age.
The classes that are the highlight of Kejurnas Seri II are the A Super Sprint Class with a distance of 1,300 meters and the A Star of Stars Class with a distance of 2,200 meters, which is also the longest distance in the national horse racing championship.
From the explanation above, the difference between Kejurnas Seri I and Kejurnas Seri II is clear.
Kejurnas Seri I emphasizes the battle among the best racehorses based on age groups, with the Derby Class as the most prestigious stage. Meanwhile, the classes based on height groups are merely supplementary in this series.
Conversely, Kejurnas Seri II presents a different dynamic by focusing on height groups. Classes based on age groups are considered additional races.
This difference in focus makes both series equally important, yet they offer distinct competitive atmospheres.
The Derby Class in Kejurnas Seri I, and the Super Sprint and Star of Stars Classes in Kejurnas Seri II, are the three main highlights throughout the national racing calendar season.
Any horse that successfully achieves the top podium in one of these three prestigious classes will be immortalized in the PORDASI Hall of Fame.
"It is a pride for a horse to be included in that class list. Because it makes history in national horse racing," explained Danang.
It is no wonder that victory in these classes is not just about track achievement; it is also about prestige and honor.
The Kejurnas, with its two series each year, always serves as a proving ground for the nation's best racehorses. This event is also the most anticipated moment for equestrian sports enthusiasts.
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