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Sports promoter aims to revive Indonesian horse racing
This year, Sarga, in partnership with the Indonesian Equestrian Sports Association (Pordasi), plans to host 10 races in Central Java and Yogyakarta, with the final event set to take place in Pulomas, Jakarta, at the end of the year.
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Jockeys compete in a horse race hosted by Sarga in this undated photo file. (Courtesy of Sarga) (Courtesy of/Sarga)
S
ports promoter Sarga, under PT Kuda Pacu Indonesia, is working to bring horse racing into the spotlight in Indonesia while preserving the sport’s traditional roots.
Sarga's business director, Diana Airin, pointed out that despite the country’s rich equestrian culture, horse racing has yet to be fully developed commercially.
“Countries like Hong Kong and Australia have made horse racing a major event. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, we haven’t even begun to develop it commercially,” said Diana, during her recent visit to The Jakarta Post.
This year, Sarga, in partnership with the Indonesian Equestrian Sports Association (Pordasi), plans to host 10 races in Central Java and Yogyakarta, with the final event set to take place in Pulomas, Jakarta, at the end of the year. The races will be paired with five after-party concerts in Yogyakarta and Jakarta.
Sarga's push to commercialize horse racing began in 2023 at the Sultan Agung Horse Racing Track in Bantul, Yogyakarta, where 5,000 spectators gathered. By last year, it organized the National Horse Racing Championship Series 01 Indonesia Derby in Bantul, drawing a crowd of 36,000.
Sarga is committed to nurturing Indonesia’s horse racing scene by offering both cultural and sporting training to local communities. The company aims to build a professional ecosystem and promote a horse racing lifestyle among enthusiasts.
Indonesia is home to several traditional horse racing events, such as the Gayo races in Aceh, a centuries-old tradition. The oldest recorded race in Aceh dates back to 1850, and during the Dutch colonial era in 1912, the race format was shifted from a straight track to an oval track.
After independence, horse racing in Aceh continued as an annual community event. Other regions, like Bima in West Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi, also host regular traditional horse races.
Despite these deep-rooted traditions, horse racing remains relatively obscure compared with horseback riding, a favorite pastime of President Prabowo Subianto.
“Our President enjoys horseback riding, and his family has a strong appreciation for equestrian sports. That’s one of the reasons Sarga was founded,” Diana said.
Sarga was established by Prabowo’s nephew, Aryo Djojohadikusumo, an equestrian enthusiast, alongside businessmen Daniel Surya, Aseanto Oudang and Martin Kauw.
