Mongol Derby

Mongol Derby The longest horse race in the world. A 1,000km multi-horse race across the epic wilderness of the Mongolian steppe.

The Mongol Derby is a self-guided 1000km adventure race cross the incomparable Mongolian steppe, one of the world's last remaining wildernesses and cradle of the largest land empire ever created under Chinggis Khaan. At the heart of the Mongol Derby is the horse station system, called Urtuus in Mongolian. Based on the Great Khaan's postal system which could relay messages at speed from the furthes

t corners of the empire, since 2009 the Mongol Derby has rebuilt this network to stage one of the most ambitious equine events in history. Participants are mounted on a series of native Mongolian horses, which are sacred in the enduring Mongolian nomadic culture. They eat and rest with nomadic families along the way, so experiencing Mongolia as it would have appeared in the time of the Great Empire. Integral to the event is an extensive back-up system providing medical, veterinary and communications support to the horses and riders, but all being well, riders are alone in the wilderness with their semi-wild steeds. This is a multi-faceted adventure, not just a horse race. Riders change horses every 35kms, ensuring that the horse power is always fresh and full of running, while they themselves are pushed to their physical limits. Riders need to look after themselves in extreme conditions, navigate independently, and overcome difficulties using their initiative. All of these elements combine to make the Mongol Derby the ultimate equine adventure, which entices the world's finest adventurers, riders and audience.

Монголын домогт онгон тал нутагт болдог, дэлхийн хамгийн урт, холын зайн 1000 км-ийн өртөөчилсөн морин уралдаан.

“Монгол Дэрби” нь өнөөг хүртэл оршин буй онгон зэлүүд тал нутгийн нэг, агуу эзэн Чингис хааны байгуулсан эзэнт гүрний хамгийн том өлгий нутаг болох Монголын тал нутгийг хөндлөн гулд туулан бие даан уралддаг 1000 километрийн морин уралдаан юм. "Монгол Дэрби" морин уралдааны амин судас нь Монгол хэлнээ "Өртөөнүүд" хэмээн нэрлэгддэг морин өртөөний систем юм. Эзэнт гүрний хамгийн алслагдсан өнцөг булан бүрээс илгээмжийг хурдан дамжуулах боломжтой Их хааны шуудангийн системд тулгуурлан 2009 оноос хойш түүхэн дэх хамгийн гайхалтай морин уралдааны нэгийг олонд хүргэхээр уг өртөөчилсөн системийг дахин сэргээсэн.

Оролцогчид өнө удаан хугацаанд оршин буй Монгол нүүдэлчдийн соёлд дээдлэгдэн ирсэн Монгол морьдыг сэлгэн унаж, замдаа малчин айлуудад хооллон ундаалж, хоноглох нь Их эзэнт гүрний үед очсон мэт мэдрэмжийг төрүүлнэ.

Энэ арга хэмжээний салшгүй хэсэг нь морьд болон унаачдад эрүүл мэнд, мал эмнэлэг, харилцаа холбооны дэмжлэг үзүүлэхээр ажилладаг маш том бага хамт олон байх бөгөөд бүх зүйл хэвийн үед хээр зэлүүд тал нутагт унаачид зөвхөн хангал зээрд ажнай хүлэгтэйгээ л уралдана.

“Монгол Дэрби” нь энгийн нэг морин уралдаан бус олон төрлийн адал явдалт уралдаан юм. Унаачид морио 35 километр тутамд сэлгэх тул үргэлж хүч чадалтай, сэргэг морьд унахын зэрэгцээ биеийн хүч чадлаа хязгаарт нь хүртэл сорино. Унаачид эрс тэс нөхцөл байдалд өөрсдөө замаа олж, зөв совин, авхаалж самбаагаараа бэрхшээл сорилтуудыг даван туулна.

Эдгээр бүх хүчин зүйлсийн нэгдэл дэлхийн шилдэг адал явдал сонирхогчид, унаачид болон үзэгчдийн анхаарлыг татаж, хорхойг хүргэсэн адал явдалт морин уралдааны оргил "Монгол Дэрби"-ийг бий болгодог.

That's a wrap on Race Day 4.Another day on the steppe, another chapter of the Mongol Derby written. From soaring tempera...
08/08/2026

That's a wrap on Race Day 4.

Another day on the steppe, another chapter of the Mongol Derby written. From soaring temperatures and race holds to battles at the front of the field and stories from every corner of the course, today delivered once again.

Catch up on all of today's stories and race action here:

https://equestrianists.com/mongol-derby-2026-race-day-4-Too-hot-to-trot

See you on the steppe tomorrow.

Scribbled by Candie Jade

The Mongol Derby rarely goes to plan, and Day 4 was no exception. Heat, navigation mishaps, improvised repairs and a few unexpected logistical headaches combined to produce one of the most unusual days of the race so far. While the leaderboard continued to ebb and flow at the…

08/08/2026

The Mongol Derby has thrown everything at the riders today, and the heat has definitely taken its toll.

If you've been dot-watching from home, now's the time to make some noise.

Drop a message below for your rider. Whether they're leading the field, battling through the middle, riding in the Adventure Category or simply digging deep to keep going, every word of encouragement matters.

We'll do our best to pass your messages on whenever we can. Sometimes, hearing that friends, family and complete strangers are cheering you on is exactly what's needed to get back in the saddle tomorrow.

Let's remind these incredible riders that they've got an army of supporters behind them.

Leave your messages of encouragement below.

Here's a look at what unfolded between Horse Station 5 and Horse Station 6! 📸 Babi Photography
08/08/2026

Here's a look at what unfolded between Horse Station 5 and Horse Station 6!

📸 Babi Photography

Here's a glimpse of life between HS6 and HS7.📸 Feelings by Tulgaa Skizz
08/08/2026

Here's a glimpse of life between HS6 and HS7.

📸 Feelings by Tulgaa Skizz

08/08/2026

HQ Update | Temporary Heat Hold:

With temperatures rising on the Mongolian steppe today, Race HQ has implemented a temporary race hold from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm to prioritise the welfare of horses and riders.

Riders are asked to get to water or a horse station for this time. All times and movements will be tracked.

Today's riding hours have been extended until 8:30 pm.

We'll keep you updated as the race resumes.

Adventure first, and let us tell you GRO and MKA found themselves having a lovely adventure last night…(And thankfully G...
08/08/2026

Adventure first, and let us tell you GRO and MKA found themselves having a lovely adventure last night…

(And thankfully GRO snapped a video of it too)

“We rode up to the ger and a young boy came out. We got out a translation app and he said we couldn’t stay here, but we could stay at his parents’ ger a kilometre away down by the river. He said we could leave the horses with him and he would make sure they were watered and cared for.

We explained how grateful we were, but we needed to keep them close as part of the race rules.

‘No worries,’ he said. ‘I’ll take you to my parents and I’ll bring the horses down!’

He gestured to his motorbike and said, ‘Let’s go!’

So the three of us jumped on the bike and off we went!

He raced back to the horses and we hoped nothing had got lost in translation. Half an hour later, the horses were back from the river having been for a swim, cooled down and ready for a night of grazing.

The boy later told us how excited his mother was to have us staying, but also a little nervous as she wanted to make a good impression!

This morning they helped us with the horses, watered them, and tacked them up — and we even got to take a swim in the river ourselves! We smell great now!

Amazing people, incredible hospitality — and definitely not the usual kind of taxi service!”

There you have it dot watchers - One minute you’re looking for somewhere to sleep, the next you’re hitching a ride on a Mongolian motorbike while your horses are off enjoying a riverside wellness retreat.

Just another night on the Mongol Derby!



Photos by Feelings by Tulgaa Skizz
Video by GRO

08/08/2026

Field Update:

Event Manager Erik has reported that today is shaping up to be an absolute scorcher, with temperatures expected to reach 33°C (91°F) the hottest day of the Mongol Derby so far.

While the race at the front continues to heat up, today's biggest challenge may well come from above.

Riders will need to carefully manage both themselves and their horses through the hottest part of the day. Hydration, pacing and horsemanship become more important than ever, with heat-related stress a very real factor for both horse and rider.

Should temperatures become too extreme, Race HQ may implement a temporary race hold during the hottest part of the day.

While riders would pause their progress, the welfare of both horses and riders will always come first.

Out here, the fastest rider isn't always the smartest rider.

Stay cool, ride smart, and we'll be bringing you updates from across the Mongolian steppe as the day unfolds.

📍Follow the action live: https://equestrianists.com/live

🚨NEW RACE LEADER🚨The Mongol Derby has a new name at the top of the leaderboard. Rangna Roux (RRO) has ridden into the le...
08/08/2026

🚨NEW RACE LEADER🚨

The Mongol Derby has a new name at the top of the leaderboard. Rangna Roux (RRO) has ridden into the lead after overnight events reshuffled the order at the front of the field.

With Laura van Laar (LLA) serving a lameness penalty, RRO wasted no time seizing the opportunity, saddling up at first light and pressing on alone.

But don't expect this battle to be over anytime soon.

Lindsay Woods (LWO) is right in the mix, the chasing pack is closing, and with fresh horses, unpredictable navigation and plenty of Derby still to come, the leaderboard could change again before the day is out.

📸Feelings by Tulgaa Skizz

08/08/2026

Race Day 4 is here.

The steppe has already delivered highs, spectacular saves, unexpected swims, retirements, and some seriously tough riding. But it's far from over.

Who's leading by the end of the day? Drop your predictions below.

New to the Live Tracking Map? There's now a how-to guide on the website to help you follow along.

Follow the race live: https://equestrianists.com/live

Meet the Family Behind Horse Station 5Welcoming riders to Horse Station 5 for the very first time is the Ulziijargal fam...
07/08/2026

Meet the Family Behind Horse Station 5

Welcoming riders to Horse Station 5 for the very first time is the Ulziijargal family, opening the doors of their home in Rashaant Soum, Bulgan Province.

Ulziijargal (42) and Nyamkhuu (42), together with their children Aryabadraa (19), Ulambayar (17), Aryadavga (10) and Dejid (7), are a family dedicated to preserving Mongolia's traditional nomadic way of life. Through raising horses and livestock, they continue to pass their customs, knowledge and values on to the next generation.

Their herd includes more than 130 horses, among them four stallions, with seven horses selected to take part in this year's Mongol Derby. Those horses will soon carry riders across another stretch of Mongolia's vast steppe, becoming part of countless Derby stories along the way.

Life for the Ulziijargal family begins early. Like many nomadic households, the day starts with milk tea before everyone heads out to herd livestock, check on the horses and tackle the daily rhythm of life on the steppe. It's a lifestyle they cherish, living close to nature, surrounded by their animals, and sharing each day together as a family.

For them, hosting the Mongol Derby is about much more than providing fresh horses. It's an opportunity to welcome visitors from around the world and introduce them to Mongolia's rich nomadic traditions, culture and way of life.

Seeing each rider arrive safely at Horse Station 5 is a moment of pride, knowing they've played a small part in one of the world's toughest endurance races.

Among their favourite Derby memories is introducing riders to their horses, sharing local knowledge before they set off, and helping ensure they continue their journey safely across the Mongolian steppe.

When riders leave Horse Station 5, the family hopes they'll remember more than just another horse change.

"We hope riders remember our gentle horses, our delicious food and milk tea, and the warm welcome they received from our family. We want them to leave with fond memories of Mongolia's hospitality and the traditions of its nomadic people."

A heartfelt thank you to the Ulziijargal family for welcoming riders into their home, sharing their horses, and helping keep the spirit of the Mongol Derby alive.

📸Babi Photography

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