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SARGA.CO—The presence of Thoroughbred (THB) bloodlines has become a powerhouse on Indonesia’s national racetracks. With undeniable performance and speed, these crossbred horses have successfully dominated the country’s horse racing scene.

Back when they were first introduced to Indonesia, THB bloodlines didn’t enjoy the level of recognition they have today. Let’s take a closer look at how this transformation unfolded.

To improve speed, England later imported Arabian, Turkish, and Barb (or Mongolian) horses between the late 1600s and 1750. This rigorous breeding process gave rise to three foundational sires of the THB lineage: Byerley Turk (born 1679, brought to England in 1689), Godolphin Arabian or Barb (born 1724 on the Barbary Coast), and Darley Arabian (born 1700 in Syria, arrived in England in 1704).

These three stallions became the cornerstone of the modern racing industry we know today.

According to PORDASI’s official website, the 1,800-meter track featured grandstands, modern amenities, and stables that could house up to 800 horses. The project was a joint venture between the Jakarta city government and a private Australian investor.

Along with the infrastructure came cutting-edge racing technology, including Indonesia’s first public use of a modern totalisator. Horses racing at the venue were either imported THBs from Australia or locally crossbred horses.

The professional and commercial management of the totalisator didn’t just boost national revenue—it also motivated breeders and horse owners across Indonesia to raise the bar in horse production and quality.

Recognizing the sport’s growing potential, the 3rd PORDASI National Congress on September 26, 1975, held a Horse Breeding Workshop that launched the “grading-up” program through the creation of the Indonesian Racehorse (KPI), a result of breeding local mares with THB stallions.

According to Danang Eko Yulianto, S.Pt., M.Si., Secretary of the Racing Commission of PP. PORDASI, the government fully backed the import of THB stallions through the “Presidential Assistance Horses” initiative. Under this program, THB sires were placed in major race centers like West Sumatra, Yogyakarta, and Manado, eventually producing widespread THB-descendant populations nationwide. 

Danang also noted that the push to elevate national racehorse quality didn’t just come from the government—private players like Pamulang Stud & Stable also played a pivotal role.

This momentum was further supported by the implementation of horse certification via the Horse Registration Bureau, a move to standardize the sport and solidify its growing professionalism. Breeders and owners welcomed the regulations, viewing them as a step forward for the country’s racing industry.

“With higher-quality horses and a different breed altogether, their nutritional needs went up. Their training methods and equipment also differed from local horses. It’s like forcing a Westerner to eat rice—they won’t like it. But give them cheese, and they’re happy. That’s the analogy,” Danang explained.

He added that climate differences also impacted the initial integration process. Since THBs originate from temperate zones, their adjustment to Indonesia’s tropical climate required a more intense adaptation period compared to native horses.

Gradually, those challenges slowly turned into progress. As more THB-cross horses emerged across the country, hopes grew that they would elevate the quality of Indonesia’s horse racing scene.

G1 is the first cross between a THB and a local horse, with 50% THB blood. It has better strength and posture than locals but limited speed, and typically races in entry-level classes.

G2 is bred from a G1 and a THB, increasing THB blood to 75%. With taller bodies and longer strides, G2s compete in mid-level races.

G3 results from crossing G2 with another THB, producing 87.5% THB blood. These athletic horses often race in Class B or C.

G4 comes from G3 and THB, containing around 93.75% THB blood. With a physique nearly identical to purebred THBs, G4s are solid racers for Class A or B events.

KPI (Indonesian Racehorse) is the pinnacle, born from G4-G4 or G4-THB pairings. With over 93.75% THB blood, KPIs have elite speed, long strides, and high stamina—ideal for mid to upper-tier races.

KP5 combines THB and G4, retaining over 90% THB blood. Agile and powerful, they’re often seen in mid-to-top races.

KP6, a cross between THB and KP5, also contains over 90% THB blood. Physically, it’s almost indistinguishable from a purebred THB.

Those classification serves as a key reference in the national racing system, where genetics, performance, and race classes are tightly linked.

According to a study titled Correlation Between Shoulder Height and Body Length on the Running Speed of Indonesian Racehorses in Derby-Class Horses by Malda Asri et al., the only difference between imported THBs and THB Indos lies in their birthplace.

Imported THBs are pure Thoroughbreds born overseas and brought into Indonesia. THB Indos, on the other hand, are Thoroughbreds born in Indonesia from pure THB parents, with no local crossbreeding. In other words, both carry the original THB bloodline.

In Indonesia, pure THB races are limited to just two categories—based on the horse’s age: 2-year-olds and 3 years and above. The limited number of events correlates directly with the still-small pure THB population in the country.

For that reason, efforts to preserve and improve both crossbred and purebred THBs in Indonesia will continue. Not only to raise the quality of racing, but also to sustain and expand the fanbase of this exceptional breed.

Horse racing is more than just a sport—it’s an economic driver for host regions and the racing ecosystem at large. With growth trends continuing to climb year after year, the horse racing industry in Indonesia is becoming more promising than ever.

The entry of THBs hasn’t just reshaped Indonesia’s racing landscape—it has paved the way toward a more professional, competitive, and globally recognized racing industry.

With strong synergy across all stakeholders, Indonesia’s national horse racing scene is poised to deliver pride and progress for the nation’s equestrian sports and industry.