Japanese racehorse Haru Urara pictured beside her eponymous ‘Umamusume: Pretty Derby’ character
| Photo Credit: X/ @HARUURARA_mochi, @umamusume_eng
Haru Urara, the Japanese racehorse who inspired a character in the popular multimedia franchise Uma Musume: Pretty Derby, has died at the age of 29. The official Uma Musume account confirmed the news Tuesday, writing: “It is with heavy hearts that we share that Haru Urara passed away on September 9. The legendary racehorse’s legacy serves as the inspiration for the character of the same name in Uma Musume: Pretty Derby.”
Uma Musume is a Japanese gacha game and anime series where real-life racehorses are reimagined as “horse girls” who train, compete, and chase their dreams. Haru Urara’s in-game counterpart reflects her real-life reputation — always smiling, never discouraged, and admired for her determination despite constant defeat. Fans of the series worldwide embraced her story as a reminder to persevere.
Foaled in 1996, Haru Urara debuted at Kōchi Racetrack in 1998. She went on to compete in 113 races without a single win, a streak that earned her the nickname “the shining star of losers everywhere.” Her persistence made her a national sensation, especially in 2003 when media coverage transformed her into a household name.
Her most famous race took place in March 2004, when star jockey Yutaka Take rode her before a crowd of 13,000 at Kochi. Despite a surge of support — with fans betting more than ¥120 million on her — Haru Urara placed 10th out of 11 runners. Then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi even weighed in at the time, saying, “I’d like to see Haru Urara win, even just once. The horse is a good example of not giving up in the face of defeat.”
This photo taken on March 22, 2004 shows jockey Yutaka Take and Haru-urara leaving the race after suffering their 106th consecutive loss at Kochi Racecourse in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture. Japan on on September 10, 2025 mourned the death of celebrated no-hoper racehorse Haru-urara, whose record of losing in all her 113 career appearances captured the hearts of millions of struggling citizens.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
Though she never claimed a victory, Haru Urara’s popularity extended far beyond racing. She appeared on merchandise, inspired books and songs, and later reached new generations through her Uma Musume portrayal.
Her caretaker, Yuko Miyahara, told Friday Digital that she noticed signs of colic the day before Haru Urara’s death. “Recently, more and more people, not only from Japan but also from overseas, have been coming to see Haru Urara. It’s truly unfortunate,” she said.
Though she never crossed the finish line first, Haru Urara leaves behind a legacy that continues to inspire fans in Japan and around the world.
Published – September 10, 2025 10:59 am IST
