Haru Urara's Fame Stuns Real-Life Trainer

Real-Life Racehorse Gains New Fame Through Umamusume Phenomenon

The real-life counterpart of Umamusume's Haru Urara has experienced a surprising surge in popularity despite her notorious racing record. This heartwarming story reveals how fans have embraced the actual horses that inspired their favorite virtual racers, while developer Cygames establishes guidelines to protect both digital and living legends.

From Obscurity to Overnight Sensation

After the global launch of Umamusume: Pretty Derby, the caretaker at Matha Farm was astonished when a simple birthday photo of Haru Urara unexpectedly went viral. The image of the mare wearing a tiara, originally posted in February 2025, suddenly gained massive traction following the game's release, amassing over 25,000 likes and 2.2 million views.

In a delightful social media post on July 3rd, the bewildered caretaker expressed his amazement at receiving hundreds of notifications and new followers. "To all the overseas fans," he wrote, "Haru Urara is thriving - honestly, she's probably in better shape than I am these days!" His heartfelt message resonated with fans worldwide.

The real Haru Urara shares her in-game counterpart's infamous record - 113 consecutive losses in Kochi horse races. Yet this very "failure" became her defining charm. Japanese fans adored her perseverance, creating "Haru tours," collecting merchandise, and even using her betting tickets as lucky charms against traffic accidents.

Remarkably, Haru Urara's cultural impact even reached political circles when former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi publicly rooted for her to win at least once. Her 2019 "victory" in the Soft Keiba event - an unofficial race for retired horses - became a moment of triumph for fans who had followed her journey for decades.

Gold Ship: The Eccentric Champion

Another fan favorite, Gold Ship, gained fame not just for victories but for his unpredictable personality. The real racehorse mirrored his in-game counterpart's mischievous streak, famously causing one of Japan's biggest betting upsets in the 2015 Takarazuka Kinen, costing gamblers approximately $83 million.

Both versions share a signature racing style - starting slow before unleashing breathtaking final sprints. Social media recently buzzed with side-by-side comparisons showing uncanny similarities between the game's digital representation and actual race footage from 2012.

Retirement hasn't dulled Gold Ship's spirit either. Recent videos show him happily chasing butterflies and enjoying his golden years, leaving some fans to wonder if he ever raced at full potential given his playful nature during competitions.

Celebrating Responsibly: Content Guidelines

With popularity comes responsibility. Cygames has implemented thoughtful guidelines to protect both their intellectual property and the living horses that inspired them. These rules emphasize respectful content creation while maintaining creative freedom.

Prohibited content includes material that could damage reputations, explicit content, or rights infringements. The developers stress these measures aim to foster a positive community rather than restrict fan expression. "We want to honor these amazing animals," reads the official statement, "while keeping the experience enjoyable for everyone."

Umamusume: Pretty Derby continues its successful run on iOS, Android, and PC platforms, connecting generations of racing fans to both virtual and real-world equine legends.