The Incredible Families
The herding families are the backbone of the Mongol Derby and the people who make this so much more than just a horse race.
Their warm welcome and incredible horses (and those of family and friends) have been the making of the Mongol Derby since 2009.
A lot of families have been part of the Derby team many years as the course comes back to their area. We work with them for many months in the lead up to each race.
Khasarvaan Family
HS1
Bold Khasarvaan is a horse trainer who with his wife, D.Ariunaa, hosted HS1. They are a nomadic family from Rashaant Soum with 28 years experience herding. They have six children and two grandchildren. It was their very first time as part of the team.
Batlkhagva Family
HS2
Batlkhagva Enkhbat and his wife T.Bolortuya hosted HS2. They have four children and one grandchild. They have been herding on the steppe for 22 years. This is their first derby.
Jadgal Family
HS4
Jadgal Demberel and his wife T.Tungalagtuul hosted HS4. Jadgal’s family are from Gurvanbulag Soum, and have been nomadically herding for over 20 years. They have two children and four grandchildren. Jadgal has also been awarded the best herder of the Province.
Altangerel Family
HS5
Altangerel Namchin, horse trainer, with his wife T.Altantsetseg hosted HS5. They’ve been herders since 1993 and have three children and one grandchild. Mr.Altangerel was awarded Best Herder of the Province. His two sons are following is his footsteps.
Boldbaatar Family
HS6
Boldbaatar Maidar, is the best horse trainer of the Soum, and his wife B.Otgonjargal hosted HS6. They have been herding livestock for over 15 years in Ogii Nuur Soum. They have three children.
Boldbaatar’s family was awarded as the owner of 1000 strong herd in 2021 and was a winner of the Best Herder of the Province.
Tumurbaatar Family
HS8
Tumurbaatar Chultem and his wife Sanjaasuren Bavuu hosted HS8
He is well known as “the Horseman Tumurbaatar” in the local area. He was awarded Best Horseman of the Uvurkhangai Province. They have a big family of four children and 12 grandchildren.
Herders since 1983 and winner of best herder of the Uvurkhangai Province and the Golden Foal Award.
Bayarmunkh Family
HS11
Bayarmunkh Namjil’s family hosted HS11.
A nomadic family from Burd Soum they have been herding four different animals for decades, a of Uvurkhangai Province. They have four children and three grandchildren. This was their first Derby.
Ser-Od Family
HS12
Ser-Od Nyambuu and his wife S.Zuunnast hosted HS12. They are a nomadic family from the Burd Soum with four children and five grandchildren. Mr. Ser-Od was entitled as the Best Herder and Trainer of Uvurkhangai Province and is a very well-known horse trainer.
His horses raced in the regional Nadaam this year, and got over ten horses got in the first five places. This is their 10th year on the Derby team.
Zoljargal Family
HS13
Zoljargal Bor’s family hosted HS12. They have five children, and have lived around Orgioch in Erdensant soum, herding for over 30 years. He was awarded Best Herder of the Tuv Province in 2006 and the Golden Lamb Award in 2010 and Herder of the State in 2018.