Haru Urara, the iconic racehorse who captured the hearts of Japan and inspired a character in the popular game and anime franchise Uma Musume: Pretty Derby, has passed away at the age of 29, equivalent to 90 years in human age. She spent her retirement years at Martha Farm in Chiba Prefecture, where she lived peacefully until her passing in the early hours of September 9. Farm director Yuko Miyahara shared that Haru Urara had shown signs of illness the previous morning.
On the morning of September 8, Haru Urara had not defecated, prompting immediate veterinary attention. Despite receiving care throughout the night, her condition suddenly worsened at dawn, and she passed away. Miyahara expressed her deep sorrow, highlighting the shock of losing such a cherished animal. The cause of death was colic, a serious condition in horses caused by digestive issues leading to intestinal distress and gas buildup. Colic is known to be common and highly fatal among horses, and it has affected other notable horses in the Uma Musume franchise.
Haru Urara’s story is remarkable not for victories but for her unwavering perseverance. Despite never winning a single race, she ran 113 consecutive races since her debut in 1998. Her determination and enduring spirit transformed her into a national idol and symbol of perseverance. Haru Urara’s story resonated not only in Japan but internationally, with fans even donating more than 2,500 kilograms of grass to support her in recent years.
The official Uma Musume: Pretty Derby social media account shared their condolences, honoring the racehorse’s enduring legacy and her influence on the franchise. The post highlighted that Haru Urara inspired the character of the same name in the game and anime, cementing her impact on fans and creators alike. Her passing comes shortly after another legendary racehorse, Grass Wonder, who also inspired an Uma Musume character, passed away on August 8 at the age of 30.
The Uma Musume: Pretty Derby franchise has grown into a multimedia phenomenon since its debut, including a game for iOS, Android, and PC, a TV anime, a short-form anime titled Umayon, and a web anime project that aired in October 2022. The third season of the TV anime concluded in 2023, with Crunchyroll streaming the series for international audiences. The franchise tells the story of a world where horse girls possess incredible running abilities and compete at Tracen Academy to become the top horse girl in the Twinkle Series. Haru Urara’s inspiring life and character serve as a cornerstone of this beloved series, reflecting determination, hope, and the enduring spirit of athletes.
Haru Urara may no longer be with us, but her story and the character she inspired will continue to inspire fans of Uma Musume: Pretty Derby around the world for generations to come.
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