test

Saud, sired by Soputan Tulen out of Sabena, was not born a favorite. In the beginner class, he often fell far behind. Spectators, stable owners, and even racing analysts had little hope for him.

The peak of doubt came during the 2007 Indonesia Derby, where Saud once again failed to win—this time losing to Brave Heart by only a head. That narrow defeat seemed to confirm that Saud wasn’t the champion people expected. But it was after the Derby that the real story began.
 

After the Derby, Saud changed. Slowly, his performance improved. From a horse that was always beaten, he transformed into a competitor who could no longer be ignored.

In his prime, Saud earned the nickname “Maestro of the Track”—and the title was well deserved. His statistics said it all:
Total starts: 63
Wins: 39
Runner-up: 19
Top 3 finishes: almost always.

At the Stars of Stars event, Saud won five consecutive times, a record that remains unbroken. He also achieved three straight victories at the Piala Raja Hamengku Buwono X—another record that still stands strong. Saud became a nightmare for elite horses. Whenever he stepped onto the track, few dared to challenge him.
 

At the height of his career, only one horse could truly rival Saud: Tuan Nagari. Their clash at the 2012 Minang Derby remains one of the most memorable races for fans. Tuan Nagari pushed hard, staying dangerously close, but Saud won again—by just one head.

However, their most iconic duel was in the 2014 National Championship Series 1, at 2,000 meters. Other horses seemed like background scenery as Saud and Tuan Nagari broke away dramatically, leaving the third-place horse 15–19 lengths behind—an almost unheard-of margin in modern Indonesian racing.

At 10 years old, Saud clocked a stunning record of 2 minutes 6 seconds, winning by 3–4 lengths from Tuan Nagari and 14 lengths from the third-place finisher. An unbelievable feat for a senior horse.

A Long, Unmatched Career

Saud was not just great—he was enduring. His career began around 2006/2007, and he fought across generations: Djohar Manik, Red Silenos, Tuan Nagari, and many rising stars.

In the 2017 National Championship, at age 13, Saud still battled fiercely against the new generation, finishing fourth—one of the rare times he missed the top three.
 

Even more remarkable, at 17 years old—when most horses had long retired—Saud still managed to win a race in Bantul in 2021. A testament to his extraordinary physical and mental strength.

To this day, Saud’s record and consistency remain unmatched, even by giants like Djohar Manik.

A Peaceful Ending: From Maestro to Riding Companion

Saud has now retired and enjoys his days as a riding horse. He may no longer thunder down the track like he once did, but his legend lives on in every story shared by racing fans.