Before a horse is allowed to compete in the Sawahlunto Derby, they must first go through a preliminary round. This consists of two heats, with 12 horses in each heat and the top 6 horses qualifying for the Sawahlunto Derby.
New format For the 2025 edition, the organizing committee implemented a significant modification to the competition format by eliminating the qualifying heat rounds.
Regulatory basis The decision to forego the heat rounds was authorized by the Board of Stewards and the organizing committee, adhering to the results of the Indonesian Equestrian Sports Association (
PORDASI) National Working Meeting (Rakernas) Revision dated September 10, 2025 (Point 4, sub-points A-E). This format change was officially communicated to stable owners and trainers during the barrier drawing session held on November 30, 2025.
Ranking mechanism In lieu of physical qualifying races, the selection of the 12 horses eligible for the Main Race was determined through a ranking system based on historical performance records (track record). The Board of Stewards assessed candidates using the following criteria: • Regional Entrants: Points were calculated based on the horses' performance in the two most recent championships: the Payakumbuh Horse Race and the Padang Panjang Horse Race. • External Entrants: Evaluation was based on the results of the last two races participated in by the horse in their respective regions, provided that the distance and age categories were equivalent.
Competition implications Based on this ranking system, participants were allocated into two final categories: • Main Class (Derby): Horses ranked 1st through 12th qualified for the main gates to compete for the 2025 Sawahlunto Derby title over a distance of 1,500 meters. • Consolation Class (Derby Candidates): Horses ranked 13th and below were diverted to compete in the Class AB 3-Year-Old (
Kelas Remaja) category over a distance of 1,300 meters. == Records ==