SARGA.CO – Over more than half a century of the Indonesia Derby, the nation’s racetracks have produced many great names etched into history. Yet when one common thread is traced from 1974 to 2025, an intriguing fact emerges that often goes unnoticed: fillies and mares have won more often than colts and stallions.
Based on Indonesia Derby winners from the inaugural edition in 1974 through 2025, 51 editions have been staged. Of these, 30 titles were claimed by fillies/mares, while 21 were won by male horses. In other words, around 59 percent of Indonesia Derby champions are female horses.
The dominance of fillies was evident from the very beginning. After Priam (1974) opened history as the first male champion, the next three editions were taken over by females: Valencia (1975), Cempaka (1976), and Bayu Kartika (1977).
This pattern repeated itself across different decades. In the 1980s, names such as Ken Ayu, Mawar Melati, Liberty, Sari Pohaci, Galigo, and Putri Pajajaran reaffirmed that fillies were not merely supporting acts, but a major force in Indonesia’s most prestigious race.
Female dominance peaked between 1996 and 2003, when nearly all eight editions of the Indonesia Derby were won by fillies and mares such as Lady Centavo, Ratu Mayangkara, Permata Rajawali, Nefertiti, Ratu Nagari, Manik Trisula, and Dewi Milenia.
The trend continued into the 2010s with champions including Cahaya Nagari, Gagah Tanjungsari, Tebaran Mega, Djohar Manik, Beauty Eagling, Lady Aria, and Cinderella Jatim. Even in the post-pandemic period, female horses like Lady Jay (2021) and Lyana Nagari (2022) continued to show their class.
Although fewer in number, male horses have still produced iconic figures that left a lasting mark on history, such as Rio Bravo (1983), Big Ben (1990), Mulawarman (1991), and more recently Rapid Dash (2024) and King Argentin (2025)—the first male horse to win the Indonesian Triple Crown.
In recent years, males have shown signs of resurgence, winning three of the last five editions. Nevertheless, when viewed overall, the statistics still favor the fillies and mares.
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