The racehorse Haru Urara, who captured hearts in Japan and internationally despite a career marked by 113 defeats and zero victories, has passed away. This unlikely equine celebrity became a source of inspiration, notably influencing a character in the popular Umamusume: Pretty Derby franchise. Her death has been mourned widely, extending beyond the horse racing community.
First appearing on the racetrack in 1998, Haru Urara achieved fame for her consistent losing record. She transformed into a national icon in Japan, becoming a symbol of resilience and hope for those who face repeated setbacks but refuse to surrender.
Former racehorse Haru Urara, known for an impeccable 113 race loss record, and as the inspiration for the Umamusume: Pretty Derby character of the same name, has died aged 29. pic.twitter.com/HXvdijrj1G
— Eurogamer (@eurogamer) September 9, 2025
A character in Umamusume: Pretty Derby, the media franchise with horse-girl characters who are both racers and pop idols, owes her name and persistent losing streak to Haru Urara. Although the real-life Haru Urara retired from racing in 2006, the *Umamusume* character brought renewed attention to her unusual story. Fans would visit her at Matha Farm where she lived out her retirement.
News outlets, including Eurogamer, report Haru Urara’s passing at the age of 29. Her optimistic spirit and her lasting influence on anime culture through the popular gacha game, will ensure her legacy endures.
Umamusume was originally revealed as a gacha game in 2016, but production delays led to the anime debuting first in 2018. The free-to-play game launched in Japan in 2021 and later globally, outside of Asia, in June of this year. The global Steam version of Umamusume has found strong success, reaching a peak of over 87,000 concurrent players within its initial month. It’s also available worldwide on iOS and Android devices.
</div><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>