The real-life horse that inspired Umamusume's Haru Urara is receiving immense fan affection, despite her infamous "loser" record. Discover how fans are celebrating the actual horses behind the characters and learn about developer Cygames' official guidelines for community content.
Fans Show Love for the Real Horses Behind Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Haru Urara’s Caretaker Surprised by Viral Fame
The global launch of Umamusume: Pretty Derby has sparked a wave of attention and admiration for the real-life racehorses that inspired the game, surprising their caretakers. The real-world counterpart of the pink-haired, spirited Haru Urara saw a sudden surge in popularity, prompting a response from her handler at Matha Farm.
In February 2025, the caretaker shared a birthday photo of Haru Urara wearing a tiara. Following the game's release, fans rediscovered the post, flooding it with love for the milk chocolate mare. The post now boasts over 25,000 likes and 2.2 million views.
Noticing this influx, her caretaker posted on July 3rd to express his gratitude. He was astonished to receive a flood of notifications from the old birthday post and to gain 400 new followers. He thanked the horse's supporters, adding, "I'm not sure if this will reach friends overseas, but Haru Urara is doing incredibly well—frankly, she's probably healthier and more energetic than I am!"
Both Haru Urara's in-game persona and her real-life inspiration share a notorious record: losing every race they entered. On Matha Farm's official website, the celebrated mare is described (via machine translation) as "a 'star' loser with 113 consecutive losses in the Kochi horse race."
Despite her consistent losses, Japanese fans adored and cheered for her, even when expecting defeat. In 2004, the Los Angeles Times highlighted her undeniable charisma as her losing streak grew. Fans organized "Haru tours," bought merchandise, and even used betting tickets on her as good-luck charms to ward off traffic accidents.
Her fame even captured the attention of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who expressed hope that she would win just once. He remarked, "This horse is a fine example of never giving up, even in defeat." In 2019, Haru Urara finally "won" a race at the Soft Keiba event for retired racehorses. While not an official graded victory, fans celebrated her achievement enthusiastically online.
Over two decades later, Haru Urara remains vibrant and popular, a status bolstered by her appearance in the game. A fan who visited her at a small farm in Chiba, Japan, reported on Twitter (X) on July 6th that she is "still living a happy and healthy life." The farm operates by reservation only, and the fan noted that securing a visit is quite challenging.
Gold Ship's Real-Life Antics Are Even More Wild
Another horse whose fame has been amplified by Umamusume is Gold Ship, renowned for its brilliant and powerful performances on the track. The silver-haired troublemaker is a fan-favorite in-game due to her mischievous personality. However, her real-life counterpart not only mirrors this trait but might even be more unpredictable.
One notorious incident, a major disappointment for bettors, occurred during the 2015 Takarazuka Kinen. Gold Ship's unexpected underperformance contributed to bettors losing approximately 12 billion yen (around $83 million), shocking many who considered him one of the era's top racehorses.
The horse's trademark racing style—starting leisurely at the back before making a stunning surge to the front—is faithfully captured in both the game and reality. In a July 6th Twitter (X) post, user Esen shared a clip of streamer Premier Two's gameplay with Gold Ship, comparing it to the real horse's legendary come-from-behind victory in the 2012 Arima Kinen.
Both runs featured Gold Ship lagging behind initially, only to unleash astonishing speed at the last moment to clinch victory. Fans expressed their excitement in the comments, with even non-players enjoying the thrilling Umamusume race simulations.
Other clips circulating online show a retired Gold Ship enjoying life, chasing butterflies and brimming with energy. Some fans humorously speculate whether he ever raced at full capacity during his career, given his playful antics during official events.
Guidelines for Fan-Created Content
As the game's popularity soars, developer Cygames has published official guidelines on the Umamusume website to protect both their characters and the real horses that inspired them. Cygames states these guidelines were established with the permission of the horses' owners and ask fans to avoid creating or sharing content that could harm or cause discomfort to the actual animals or their caretakers.
Prohibited activities include works intended to damage the reputation of the franchise or any third party, content of a violent, sexual, or obscene nature, and any material that infringes upon the rights of others. Cygames reserves the right to take legal action against violations if necessary.
The studio clarifies that these rules are not meant to stifle fan creativity or engagement, but to maintain a positive and enjoyable environment for everyone. Cygames encourages continued fan support for the real-life racehorses and hopes to honor their lasting legacies.
Umamusume: Pretty Derby is available on iOS, Android, and PC. For the latest news and updates about the game, explore our related article below!
