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SARGA.CO—West Sumatra is known as one of Indonesia's horse racing hubs, boasting a tradition that has been deeply rooted since the 19th century. From this culture, numerous young jockeys have come to dominate the racetracks. Among the big names, the spotlight is on Najla Al Balkis, a female jockey from Padang Panjang who is shining at a very young age.
Being a female jockey on the racetrack is not common, but Najla Al Balkis is daring enough to break that barrier.
Since 2020, she has aspired to be a jockey, although she also harbors a dream of one day becoming a civil servant in the ranks of the Indonesian National Armed Forces or Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI).
Her closeness to horses within her family environment, especially since her father keeps a horse named Mustika, has made her increasingly interested in the world of racing.
For Najla, spending time with horses is a way to relieve stress from her school routine.
"Sitting in the paddock, so I don't get stressed, sitting with the horses," she said.
Her journey to becoming a horse racing jockey hasn't always been smooth. She started trying to ride horses while still in elementary school, despite falling once and being forbidden to ride by her mother.
Even her father initially prohibited her from continuing her passion for horseback riding, concerned that the horses Najla rode would be difficult to control.
However, Najla's spirit didn't wane. Support began to pour in from her school friends.
"It's cool, a girl can ride a horse," Najla recalled her classmates saying. This, of course, boosted her motivation to hone her skills as a racing jockey.
Her teacher also served as a source of motivation for her to continue engaging in this male-dominated world. She holds onto one piece of advice from her teacher.
"If you ride a horse, always wear a hijab," explained the young woman born in Padang Panjang on July 2, 2008.
This message is something she always remembers before competing on the racetrack.
Najla's dream of becoming a racing jockey felt tantalizingly close, yet a harsh reality stood in her way: she hadn't turned 18 years old.
The rules set by PORDASI for National Horse Racing are notoriously strict. Article 74 explicitly dictates that the minimum age for a racing jockey is no less than 18.
In 2025, Najla will only be turning 17. This meant, by the official rules, she couldn't yet compete. The regulation felt like an impenetrable wall blocking her path to the track.
However, Najla refused to give up. To navigate this restriction, she had to pursue a complex process, seeking out a crucial loophole in the rules.
She successfully obtained official written consent from two critical parties: her father and her trainer. This documentation was then submitted to the Steward Council.
Due to this persistent effort and unwavering support, the path to the racetrack finally opened up. This special approval was the key that allowed Najla to make her impressive debut at the regional racing event.
Making her debut at a very young age didn't prevent Najla from making achievements.
In May 2025, she substituted for Syifa, a teammate from her training center, SRC Bukittinggi, to compete in the Wisata Derby Bukittinggi-Agam Horse Race. In that championship, she successfully secured the top podium spot in the Sagalo Heat I Class over a distance of 600 meters.
Riding her horse, Rolet, Najla immediately bolted from the starting gate. With full speed, she dominated the track until her opponents were helpless. This dominance was maintained all the way to the finish line, leading Najla and Rolet to victory.
Nevertheless, the moment of victory was marked by a minor incident. After crossing the finish line, the saddle's stirrup she was wearing came loose, causing her to fall.
Fortunately, the incident didn't diminish the brilliance of Najla's debut achievement with Rolet.
Four months after her sweet debut, precisely on September 28, 2025, Najla returned to the track in the Indonesia’s Horse Racing Cup II in Payakumbuh. This time she competed in the Extra Class over a distance of 600 meters.
Naturally, the audience's attention was fixed on her. Not only because Najla was the only female jockey, but also because of her ability to control the horse on the track.
Wearing saddle number 1, she rode Sir Aloy and immediately shot into the lead from the moment the starting gate opened. The battle heated up in the final 200 meters. At that point, Warna Sari, controlled by Ripan, began to stick close behind.
The fierce duel lasted until the finish line, before Najla and Sir Aloy had to settle for second place. Meanwhile, the top podium spot was secured by Warna Sari.
Even so, Najla's performance was still considered impressive, further affirming her potential as a talented young female jockey.
Najla's trainer at SRC Bukittinggi, Abdi Salam, places great hopes on his protégé. For a long time, Abdi has wished to bring out the potential of women in the world of horse racing.
"There are female jockeys in Java, Sumatra can have them too," he stated.
According to Abdi, Najla was chosen to replace her teammate, Syifa, in the Wisata Derby Bukittinggi-Agam 2025 event not just because an opportunity arose, but because of her willingness and readiness.
"I feel that Najla's desire to perform as a racing jockey is more than 100 percent," Abdi revealed.
He assesses that Najla quickly understands instructions, is brave enough to make decisions on the track, and possesses a strong mental attitude as a racing jockey.
Physically, Najla's ability has developed quite well, even though she currently trains only every Saturday, or once a week.
Although quite impressive, Najla's physical capability is not yet strong enough for long-distance races. Therefore, her skills still need to be further honed.
Every young jockey always has a figure who serves as a source of motivation and inspiration. For Najla, her journey on the racetrack is inseparable from two big names she looks up to.
The first figure is Jemmy Runtu, the Triple Crown jockey. From the start, Najla has admired Jemmy's calm yet precise way of controlling a horse.
She sees how many horses are able to achieve victory thanks to Jemmy's skill in managing the rhythm.
"Jemmy Runtu can manage the horse's speed. Many horses win with Jemmy Runtu," Najla said with admiration.
Jemmy is not her only inspiration. The second figure comes from a female jockey, Aqiilah Annajiibah, East Java's representative on the national track.
Aqiilah's courage in paving the way for female jockeys makes Najla feel she has a place in the racing world.
"Aqiilah, wait for me in Java," Najla said hopefully, awaiting the chance to race against her idol on the track.
For Najla, being a jockey is not just about physical strength, but also strong mental fortitude.
"Not everyone has the strong mental capacity to ride a horse," Najla asserted.
For that reason, she maintains discipline in her training every day. She consistently carries out this routine for one major goal: to become a professional female horse racing jockey.
However, Najla's journey is not only about pursuing personal achievements. She wants her presence on the track to be proof that women also have a place in a sport often dominated by men.
"All women also have the opportunity to become horse racing jockeys," she stated confidently.
That is why Najla always carries a message for those who want to follow a similar path.
"For women who have the mental capacity and guts, you can try horseback riding training," she concluded.
Najla's journey has just begun. With every small step on the track, she has proven that courage and determination can open the way for women to shine in the horse racing arena.
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