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From a young age, Ended Rahmat had been familiar with horses. As a child, he even learned to handle a horse-drawn cart. That early experience sparked his love for the equestrian world and eventually led him to pursue a career as a professional jockey.

“From the start, I really wanted to become a racehorse jockey,” Ended recalled.

Even though his parents had no background in the equestrian field, his neighborhood was closely tied to the sport.

“Races here were quite frequent. Every three months, there were two small-scale competitions held on a soccer field that was used for horse racing,” he explained.

He began his career as a regional jockey riding smaller horses. Since he wasn’t affiliated with any stable at the time, he trained independently and taught himself most skills.

“But I also learned from senior jockeys whenever I saw them compete in Arcamanik, Pangandaran, and Tasikmalaya. They shared a lot of insights,” he said.

His progress accelerated when he joined Tubagus Stable for the first time. He was trusted to compete in the Beginner Class with Rokos and in Class E with Kansa Sofia. This was also where he first handled larger racehorses.

“At first, I never imagined I could control big horses. I was once offered to join prominent stables, but I declined because I wanted to help build a developing stable through my performance. That way, both the stable and I could grow together,” shared the jockey born in 1986.

Choosing to stay and grow with Tubagus Stable early in his career proved pivotal in shaping his professional journey. This was where the foundation of his skills and accomplishments was established.

Today, he rides under Jalu Stable and represents the Jakarta contingent, further cementing his reputation as a respected jockey on the national stage.

Most recently, he secured second place in Indonesia’s Horse Racing: Piala Raja Hamengku Buwono X 2025 in Kelas C Sprint – 1,100 meters.

He also claimed first place in both Kelas D Sprint – 1,000 meters and Kelas B Sprint – 1,200 meters at Indonesia’s Horse Racing: Kejuaraan Nasional Pacuan Kuda PORDASI ke-59 Seri II 2025.

Despite his dominance in short distances, Ended aims to master all race categories.

“I’m trying to compete in all classes, whether short or long distance,” he said.

Ended admitted that sprint races are the easiest for him to conquer.

“Especially if the horse has strong speed. You don’t need much strength to control it,” he explained.

As with most jockeys, he finds long-distance races more challenging because they require various strategic considerations.

“You have to think about how to conserve the horse’s stamina so it doesn’t run out before the finish line,” he added.

Entering the 15th year of his career, Ended is targeting another place among the winners of the Indonesia Derby, having previously claimed the title in 2023 with Bintang Maja.

“For now, my goal is to win the 3-Year-Old Derby at the Indonesia Derby,” he said enthusiastically.

Like many national jockeys, the Indonesia Derby is a monumental milestone, as winners have their names immortalized. This is why the Derby title has become his greatest dream.

Ended recalled how Erza first showed interest in horse racing.

“Erza has been into racing since he was young, from his first year of junior high school until now,” he said.

For the past five years, Erza has focused on his path as a young jockey at regional races, and his achievements reflect his dedication. At the PORPROV XV Jabar 2025 Gubernur Cup qualifiers, the high school sophomore secured first place in Kelas D – 1,000 meters, as well as second place in Kelas A Sprint – 1,300 meters and Kelas G/H – 1,000 meters.

These achievements reinforce both his talent and seriousness in pursuing the sport, closely following the path set by his father.

Seeing his son’s potential, Ended fully supports him. But he remains aware of the risks he has personally faced—injuries, falls, and the physical demands of the sport.

These concerns initially made him hesitate about Erza becoming a jockey.

“For now, I support Erza’s decision. I want him to experience both the ups and downs of being a jockey,” he explained.

According to him, Erza’s determination is apparent not only through competitions but also through the effort he puts into learning more about the sport.

“He often talks with both senior and young jockeys. He learns a lot directly from their experiences,” Ended said.

Balancing the role of father and racehorse trainer is not easy. Ended trains with Erza in a firm and professional manner to ensure he learns properly.

This approach allows Erza to master the correct techniques while minimizing mistakes when handling a racehorse.

During training sessions, Ended does not see Erza as his son, but as a jockey he must shape with discipline.

“I still train him professionally. His mother once told me, ‘Don’t be too hard on Erza,’” he recalled with a smile.

He hopes this professionalism will help Erza develop into a truly capable jockey.

As one of the senior jockeys on the national circuit, Ended carries big hopes—both for his own career and for the sustainability of Indonesia’s equestrian ecosystem, including the long journey ahead for his son.

He hopes the horse racing industry in Indonesia continues to grow, opening more opportunities for jockeys and stables across the country.

“I want horse racing in Indonesia to keep growing, with more people interested. I hope more stables continue to develop,” he expressed.

His sincere dedication to the sport also fuels his desire to become a trainer in the future. Through that role, he hopes to pass down his knowledge and experience to the next generation of jockeys.

Although he hopes Erza will eventually pursue a career outside horse racing—shaped by his own lifetime of experience—he chooses, for now, to fully support his son’s passion.

The journey of Ended Rahmat and his son, Erza, reflects how a love for horse racing can transcend generations. Ended’s legacy lives not only through his long list of achievements, but also through the steps Erza takes in following his path.

In the end, the greatest legacy is not merely victory, but the enduring spirit to keep Indonesia’s racing tradition alive for the generations to come.

Beyond Ended’s story, many more inspiring narratives await from Indonesia’s horse racing scene. Stay updated by following us on Instagram (@sarga.co), 𝕏 (@sarga_co), TikTok (@sarga.co), YouTube (Sarga.Co), Facebook (Sarga.co), and our website news.sarga.co.