Umamusume: Pretty Derby’s real-life Haru Urara recently passed away at 29. Read on to learn more details about her death and her career as one of the most beloved racehorses of Japan.
Umamusume’s Haru Urara Passes Away at 29
Fans Say Goodbye to the Real Haru Urara
- Image from Official Matha Farm Instagram Account
Umamusume: Pretty Derby’s real-life inspiration for the spunky pink-haired underdog Haru Urara passed away on September 9, 2025. According to Yuko Miyahara, Matha Farm and Haru Urara Association Representative, Haru Urara passed away at 29 years old, which is equivalent to 90 years old in human years.
Following the initial announcement of her death, the official Umamusume: Pretty Derby Twitter (X) account created a post to express their condolences to the staff who took care of Haru Urara.
Umamusume’s Haru Urara is well-loved by many fans of the game for her adorable and bubbly personality and her status as an underdog. The real-life thoroughbred that inspired the character actually enjoyed her own period of fame 20 years before the game was ever released, precisely because she remained tenacious and charming despite losing every race she had been a part of.
Japanese entertainment and news magazine Friday Digital reported that Haru Urara’s cause of death was colic, a common painful symptom experienced by horses that is characterized by gas buildup in the intestine. Miyahara, who spoke with Friday Digital, said that Haru Urara was sent to the veterinarian on the evening of September 8. Her condition worsened overnight until she finally passed away at dawn on September 9.
Prior to her death, Haru Urara was observed running freely around her large enclosure and playing in the sand at her retirement home, the Matha Farm, located in Onjuku, Chiba Prefecture. Haru Urara was reportedly very healthy, active, and had no major illnesses.
Haru Urara’s own caretaker took to Twitter (X) and posted a picture of a bouquet of pink flowers, captioning it, "Today, I say goodbye to Urara-san." In the hours that followed, he posted more pictures of Haru Urara. In one of his posts, he wrote, "It might be just a small part of Haru Urara's long life, but we're truly glad that we as a couple were able to support you."
The passing of Haru Urara came almost an exact month after the death of her fellow racehorse, Grass Wonder on August 8. Umamusume fans all gathered under the announcement to express their condolences. Many shared edits and drawings of the real Haru Urara with her Umamusume counterpart to thank the beloved horse for serving as an inspiration to all. Since the news broke out on Twitter (X), over 330,000 posts were created to mourn her passing and to celebrate her legacy.
Remembering "The Shining Star of Losers Everywhere"
- Image from Matha Farm caretaker @animal_love_kaz on Twitter (X)
Haru Urara racked up 113 consecutive losses before she retired in August 2004. But despite her showing, she captured the hearts of thousands of fans, who saw her as a symbol of resilience and perseverance. She later earned the title, "The Shining Star of Losers Everywhere."
A short documentary with the same title was released in 2016 telling the story of the struggling racehorse amid the backdrop of a country trying to survive an economic recession. Haru Urara debuted at the Kochi Racetrack in 1998 only to lose every single race she participated in—a curious phenomenon that kickstarted her rise to fame.
- Image from Official Matha Farm Instagram Account
In the documentary, Track Announcer Koji Hisaguchi recalled her performance with a nostalgic smile, "Within all these races there were times when she demonstrated promise. And times when she really fell behind and couldn’t catch up at all. But even after losing 60 or 70 races, she would still consistently and energetically come out to the next race."
Though it is common practice for racetracks to send losing horses to the slaughterhouse, her trainer, Dai Muneishi, insisted on keeping her and instead worked tirelessly to care for her despite the racecourse’s limited resources.
- Image from Haru Urara Association (Matha Farm) Blog
Muneishi's own determination paid off in the end; Haru Urara’s story and charm took the media by storm and ultimately prevented Kochi Racecourse from closing. Fans from all over Japan traveled to Kochi Racetrack to support the mare by betting on her and buying special Haru Urara merchandise.
"She was a timid one," Muneishi said. He also recalled that she would get frightened by the smallest sounds, but strangely, when it came to the racetrack, Haru Urara would "would pose if a camera was on her. She would pause and everything."
What is now referred to as "The Haru Urara Boom" reached its peak in March 2004, when decorated jockey Yutaka Take agreed to race with her. The unexpected combination drew in over 13,000 fans, many of whom bet on Haru Urara’s victory. The event would mark the 106th loss of her career, but despite her unbroken losing streak, many fans happily bet over $1,000,000 on her, and only felt the slightest disappointment over her loss.
"[...] I do think Haru Urara was offering the Japanese people something we were all seeking at the time," said Hisaguchi. Muneishi shared the same sentiment. He remembered a time when he received a call from one of Haru Urara’s fans, who said, "I was thinking of committing suicide, but I decided not to do it. I’m going to hang in there."
20 years later, Umamusume: Pretty Derby brought Haru Urara back into the spotlight, and the same outpouring of love and support can be seen among Umamusume fans today, who will also remember their favorite horse-girl’s real-life inspiration and her story of resilience, perseverance and tenacity.
Umamusume: Pretty Derby is available on iOS, Android, and PC. If you want to learn more about the game and Umamusume’s own Haru Urara, check out the article below!
Source:
Haru Urara Association Blog Post on Haru Urara’s Passing
【独自】さようなら、ハルウララ…〝113連敗した負け組の星〟が天国へと旅立っていた
Twitter/X: Umamusume Pretty Derby Account Gives Condolences
The Shining Star of Losers Everywhere
Twitter/X: Haru Urara’s caretaker announces her passing
Twitter/X: ‘Thank you’ message from Haru Urara’s caretaker
Twitter/X: Video and picture of Haru Urara from her caretaker
Twitter/X: Haru Urara’s last day with her caretaker
Instagram: Offical Matha Farm Account
Rest in peace Haru Urara. You will be missed.