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SARGA.CO – The name Galigo is etched forever in the history of Indonesian horse racing. This G2-class filly became the first horse bred in West Sumatra to win the Indonesia Derby, claiming the 1988 edition over a distance of 1,400 meters.
Galigo was bred from the stallion Cut and Deal (TB AUS) out of the mare Putri Gunung (G1). Owned by Ahmad Rizal, trained by Edwin Basuki, and ridden by jockey C. Singal, the combination produced one of the most historic moments on Indonesia’s national racing stage.
From the very beginning, Galigo’s journey was far from easy. She was born with a slight deformity in her leg—a condition that, in the world of horse racing, can pose a serious threat to a horse’s performance and future. Such a deformity risks affecting mobility, balance, and endurance, and usually requires careful management and close monitoring.
Yet Galigo proved that physical limitations do not always stand in the way of greatness. With exceptional body balance and naturally explosive speed, she emerged as a competitive horse early in her career. Even before the Indonesia Derby, Galigo had already collected six victories in various races.
Galigo’s crowning moment came at the 1988 Indonesia Derby. In that race, she faced fierce competition from Lady Victoria, another formidable horse also from West Sumatra. From the moment the starting gates opened, Galigo immediately displayed her nature as a true front-runner.
With an aggressive, confident running style, Galigo surged forward like the wind. Gradually but surely, the gap between her and her rivals widened. On the track, she seemed to command the race entirely, leaving her opponents up to 10 lengths behind. She crossed the finish line in total dominance, with Lady Victoria taking second place—creating a historic one-two finish for West Sumatra.
That victory was about far more than a title. It symbolized that horses bred in the regions could compete and triumph at the highest national level. Galigo silenced all doubts about her physical limitations, turning them instead into part of a heroic and inspiring story.
After the Derby, Galigo was far from finished. She went on to record six more victories, including a notable win over Liberty, the 1985 Indonesia Derby champion—clear proof that her Derby triumph was no fluke, but the result of true quality.
More than three decades later, the name Galigo is still remembered. She was not only a Derby champion, but also a milestone in the history of West Sumatran horse racing and a symbol of resilience in Indonesian racing. From physical limitations to absolute dominance on the track, Galigo taught a timeless lesson: courage, perseverance, and a champion’s character can overcome any weakness.
(Sources: Baharna TV, FB IGUTIULS, Studbook.or.id)
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