There is now a cultural phenomenon in Japan involving gaming, live music concerts, manga and anime that is bringing thousands of new young fans into the sport.
“Umamusume: Nice Derby” is a versatile computer game developed in 2018 by Cygames, owned by CyberAgent, and launched in 2021. It is Cygames’ bestseller with 21 million downloads reported as of June 2024. The founder of CyberAgent is Susumu Fujita, the owner of the Japanese star horse Forever Young, who won the Boutique Group Saudi Derby and the UAE Derby sponsored by Atlantis The Royal in 2024, and the Saudi Cup and Longines Breeders ‘Cup Classic in 2025. An official English version of the game was released in June 2025.
“Uma” means horse and “Musume” means daughter or girl. The characters are depicted as teenage horse girls with anthropomorphic horse attributes such as ears and tails that match their hair color. They are modeled after notable thoroughbreds and given personality traits and backgrounds. By using race sequences, the Umas appeal to players because they demonstrate perseverance, speed, endurance and camaraderie.
The focus of the game is on a player (or ‘trainer’) acquiring and bonding with a character while training him to win races. The races are based on historical races and most of the characters are based on real racehorses such as Special week, Quiet Suzuka, Oguri hood, Super Creekand the beloved Haru Urara. There are 114 playable Umamusume characters in the game (as of May 2025). An October 2025 fan discussion on Reddit states: “Of the 38 horses inducted into the JRA Hall of Fame, 15 of those horses have been immortalized in Umamusume as playable or soon to be playable.”
Reviewers have complimented the game for its excellent writing and animation. It has high-quality visuals and detailed characters who celebrate after racing with a show of singing and dancing.
The game uses a calendar system, which requires the trainer to plan and strategize. Their trainees have five qualities – endurance, strength, speed, courage and humor – that they use to grow or win races. Random events can happen that affect the young trainees as they grow older. The trainees attend the “Tracen Academy” in Tokyo and train to compete in the Twinkle Series of professional races organized by the “Umamusume Racing Association.”
It has created a multimedia movement that includes three seasons, live concerts, extensive merchandising, anime and collaborative events at racetracks that attract thousands of fans. The first season focuses on Special Week, the main character of “Starting Gate!”, the first season of the main anime. She comes from a humble rural girl background and dreams of becoming Japan’s number one Umamusume. She is described as bright and cheerful, hardworking, sensitive and encouraging. She is drawn with a short brown and purple bob, and her racing outfit is pink, purple and white.
The second season of the anime features Tokai Teio. Described as smart, bubbly and lively, she dreams of competing in Japan’s Triple Crown. She is depicted as small in size with long, amber brown hair, worn in a ponytail with a white streak in her bangs. She has a special ‘happy march’ (a unique trot she uses in the paddock), which fans call the ‘Teio Step’. She navigates her goals and dreams while paying tribute to her heritage.
The third season is planned Kitasan Blackwho is depicted with red eyes and black hair with a white streak. She wears a short, black kimono with red and gold accents as racing gear. Her signature racing gear is said to be inspired by the real owner of Kitasan Black.
One of the most popular characters is Haru Urara, a Japanese thoroughbred who raced from 1998 to 2004 with a record of no wins and 113 losses. She gained national popularity as a symbol of perseverance and tenacity in horses. She was known as “The Shining Star of Losers Everywhere.” Her name meant Glorious or Gentle Spring. She retired to Matha Farm and passed away in September 2025.
She is depicted in Umamusume as a cheerful pink-haired girl. Fans flocked to Matha Farm to visit the real Haru Urara. In July 2025, a post on social media platform X went viral informing fans that they could donate ryegrass to the farm. The response was so great that the Japanese website crashed briefly. It is reported that fans have donated more than 2,500 pounds of ryegrass.
Northern Lake Farm in Hokkaido, Japan cares for retired Japanese racehorses and is home to Meisho Doto. In the game, Meisho Doto is depicted as a character with low self-esteem and droopy ears. She is admired for her determination to improve. In 2025, The Northern Lake Farm’s fundraising campaign was significantly boosted by fans of “Umamusume: Pretty Derby”, who raised donations (reportedly between $600,000 and $800,000) to improve their facilities and provide better care for the aging Thoroughbreds.
This gaming phenomenon has captured the imagination and interest of fans, and as a result, it has brought many of them to the track to watch real racehorses. The release of the English version of the game could have a global impact. In December 2025, Cygames announced that “Umamusume: Pretty Derby” was named “Best Mobile Game” at The Game Awards 2025, an Academy Award-style show for gaming.
Farm visits have become so popular that Cygames issued guidelines for fans visiting stables, detailing the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of visiting real horses in Japan. Fans have also published photos of their visits to the graves of their favorite horses that have passed away. Fans also get involved in live horse racing and horse ownership. A real racehorse named after an “Umamusume: Pretty Derby” character, Happy Meek, won a race at Nagoya Racecourse on January 1.
In 2025, Breeders’ Cup Ltd. announced. announces the extension of their partnership with Cygames Inc. They joined the Breeders’ Cup in 2024 to coincide with the international launch of “Umamusume: Pretty Derby.” Cygames is also the first Japanese game developer to collaborate with Churchill Downs, which had a hands-on demo booth in the infield in 2025.
What will be the impact of this game on horse racing? The influence is already significantly felt in Japan. Although there is a cultural difference between Japan and the United States, it is possible that there will be a new following of young fans following the English release of “Umamusume: Pretty Derby.” Young fans could be cultivated and welcomed into the world of real horse racing. They can become lifelong fans.
New fans were introduced to horse racing thanks to the popularity of superstars such as Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, Barbaro, Shackleford and California Chrome. Many of those fans became part of horse racing syndicates and even went on to work within the industry. Being a passionate fan can certainly be an entry point into the world of horse racing. In many ways, “Umamsume: Pretty Derby” has already left the starting gate!
#Beginners #Guide #Horse #Racing #Phenomenon #Umamsume #Pretty #Derby