It feels like yesterday when Umamusume: Pretty Derby’s mobile game had the world fall for the underdog, Haru Urara. Despite the racehorse’s 0-113 record at the time, they were determined for her to win the Arima Kinen and URA Finale. The real-life retired racing mare was treated well at the Martha Farms in Onjuku, Chiba. In the early morning of Sept. 9th, Haru Urara’s farmers and fans mourned her passing.

The Glorious Spring’s 113 Losses Career

The happy-go-lucky mare was the offspring of Nippon Teio (Akitsu Teio in Umamusume), one of the top racehorses from the Showa Era. He won gold 7 times throughout his racing career. Her mother, Heroine, on the other hand, had a losing record of 0-11. Eventually, Haru Urara adapted her parents’ racing spirit and cursed luck.

Unlike the legendary Kasamatsu country stallion, Oguri Cap, Haru Urara never stepped foot outside of her home track. The Hokkaido native horse ran at the Kochi Racecourse. She made her debut in 1998 with no claimed winnings. Japan’s attitude began to change when she ran her 88th race, and lost in 2003, creating the Urara Boom.

Haru Urara became a symbol of persistence. Horse betting operators even dedicated special gambling tickets for her races, labeled as ataranai. The word means “to lose a bet but avoid misfortune.” Any losing ticket with the mare’s name was considered a lucky talisman. It was often used to protect people from job losses and traffic accidents. Some would even sell these tickets for 3,000 yen.

Surprisingly, Haru Urara gained a handful of small victories during her racing career. According to the Japanese Bloodstock Information System (JBIS), she placed bronze 11 times, while she placed silver 7 times. Her final race, the Kochi Tokubetsu, marked her 113th loss on August 3rd, 2004. The nation dubbed her “The Shining Star of Losers Everywhere.”

The Umamusume Adaptation of Haru Urara

When Cygames were developing the concept of Umamusume: Pretty Derby, Haru Urara became one of the horses in their first lineup. In-game and in the anime, she’s a very carefree spirit with an eccentric personality. The mare also attends a special class at Tracen Academy and is the only horse that does not participate in national graded races. Most of her days, she’s promoting a small district’s market as their uma mascot.

Haru Urara’s Umamusume counterpart takes deep inspiration from her bond with her trainer, Dai Muneishi, and the Kochi Racecourse. In her 2016 documentary, Muneishi stated that the Kochi Racecourse faced a financial crisis during the Lost Decade. Japan’s employment rates hit an all-time high, with remote cities being hit the hardest. Unsure how they would recover their losses, track announcer Koji Hashiguchi suggested highlighting Haru Urara.

Racetrack PR Masashi Yoshida and journalist Ken Ishii debated whether their story would sell. Not only did the mare’s 88th loss help with sales, but it also captivated the nation with her fighting spirit:

“Five summers ago, a small, unwanted horse arrived at the Kochi Racecourse. Hara Urara runs with all her heart but has never won. Horses that never won a race are usually slaughtered, but [Muneshi] feels differently.

He said, “When the horse gets on the truck, they stare at me and bawl their eyes out. Even if she’s not making money, I just can’t kill her.”

The Kochi Racecourse is failing financially. [Muneishi] and the stable boy work long, lonely hours, never taking the day off. They will never give up on Haru Urara.

They told her, “You gotta try harder. Do you understand? Just win. Let’s just win once.”

From then on, Haru Urara became the nation’s beacon of hope. Muneishi made her memorable racewear with pink and red Hello Kitty patches. Her jockey wore a pink helmet and jacket to catch the attention of visitors. All of this inspired her to be the cheerful umamusume today.

The Shining Loser’s Retirement Win

When she transferred to Chiba prefecture, Haru Urara lived a peaceful, comfortable life on Martha Farms. Her main caretaker, Yuko Miyahara, kept a watchful eye on her. The mare without her signature Hello Kitty mask could be identified by the pink hibiscus resting against her forehead.

She later entered a soft horse racing G3 event on May 18, 2019. These races were specifically designed for retired racing horses. Fans of Umamusume: Pretty Derby later learned about this race when she reached her newfound popularity in 2025. This race was difficult to find in its original format, but the picture showcase version can be found on the GuNyaah YouTube channel.

The final corner presented Haru Urara as Bracket Number 7. The announcer’s excitement can be heard through the microphone as “The Shining Loser” made a final dash towards the finish line. For the first time in history, the striving mare broke her 113-game loss streak with a retirement race win. This win could also be the inspiration behind Cygames’ “Lucky Number 7” skill.

Remembering Haru Urara’s Legacy

Haru Urara’s spirit could only be described as miraculous. She was Japan’s symbol of hope through the stagnant times. Her unyielding nature to press forward, even inspired former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. He described the unbreakable horse as the embodiment of “Never Give Up!” The Shining Loser had the honor to be ridden by jockey legend Yutaka Take for her 106th race on March 22nd, 2004. Together, they overcrowded the Kochi Racecourse with over 13,000 visitors.

Cygames created the second Urara Boom after releasing the Umamusume: Pretty Derby mobile game globally. People made reservations at Martha Farms to visit the Hokkaido native horse, along with advertising the Namabokuso Bank. The website is specially designed for racehorse supporters to donate $40 for fresh horse feed. Thanks to Haru Urara, the website crashed after her fans donated 2,500 kilograms worth of rye grass.

Haru Urara’s Passing

Caretaker Miyahara reported the news of the Kochi Racecourse heroine. She voiced her heartbreak to Friday Kodansha on Sept. 9th:

“She hadn’t pooped on the morning of the 8th. So, I called a veterinarian to find treatment. Worried, they stayed with me through the night. At dawn, her health suddenly deteriorated, and she passed away. I am so sorry.”

The striving mare passed away from colic, a disease that can accumulate gas in the intestines if food is not being properly digested. It had a high mortality rate in horses. Since the announcement of her death, Haru Urara’s supporters have contributed fan art on social media and a song by Doctor Waffle dedicated to what she stood for. Forever immortalized in Umamusume: Pretty Derby, fans will keep her running.