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SARGA.CO – The IHR National Horse Racing Championship (PORDASI) 59th Series II 2025 left fans with plenty of heartwarming stories — one of the most memorable being the comeback of jockey Jones Paendong in this prestigious national event. Wearing his trademark yellow silks with red sleeves, Jones competed in the 3-Year-Old Derby Division I (1,400 meters), racing for the Le Minerale Cup, which carried a total prize of Rp40 million.
That day, Jones rode Mayo, a filly who had recently finished second in her previous race — and this time, they went one better.
This race marked Jones Paendong’s first appearance in an IHR championship series after an eight-month hiatus, and what a return it was — he claimed first place on his comeback debut.
For eight long months, Jones focused on both physical and mental recovery. The proud son of Tompaso Village, Minahasa, underwent intensive treatment and surgery on his leg bones at the Karima Utama Orthopedic Hospital in Kartasura following a tragic racing accident.
That February 2025 incident shook Indonesia’s horse racing community. The horse Milord, which Jones was riding, tragically could not be saved after colliding with Salvator Minang during a race.
Now, Jones has returned to the IHR circuit with renewed determination. Horse racing, as he says, “runs in his blood.”
His decision to return was made easier thanks to the unwavering support of his wife and children. Before every race, his wife always has the same message for him:
“She always says, ‘Be careful, always rely on God.’ My kids say the same thing,” Jones recalled with a smile.
Those prayers were answered on October 19, 2025, when Jones returned to the winner’s circle at the Sultan Agung Racecourse in Bantul, Yogyakarta — riding Mayo, a 3-year-old red filly from Miranda Stable.
Starting from gate seven, Jones and Mayo battled fiercely down the stretch. The filly, sired by Da Vinci Eclipse and out of Manjusha, fought neck-and-neck with Tokugawa Eclipse in the final meters
In a nail-biting finish, Jones and Mayo crossed the line first — winning by just half a horse’s length.
“I feel proud and grateful to God to be able to ride again and even win. It’s all because of prayer and determination,” said Jones after the race.
Since deciding to return to competitive racing, Jones has worked hard to overcome the trauma from his accident. Each time he mounts a horse, he focuses on staying calm and trusting his instincts — as he always has.
That perseverance finally paid off. After securing his win in the 3-Year-Old Derby Division I, Jones immediately called his family to share the good news.
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This comeback victory after eight months away is just the beginning for Jones Paendong. Since returning to the sport, he’s set his sights on a bigger dream — winning the National Derby title.
“I want to be a Derby champion. I haven’t achieved that yet, so I’ll keep pushing,” he said with determination.
And to his fellow jockeys, Jones sent a spirited message — one that echoes both his resilience and passion:
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