Introducing the main races of the real racehorses that served as models for the characters appearing in Umamusume.
In addition, the race will focus on races with special commentary announcements within the game (Some are linked to race footage).
* Since we are using a translation engine, the nuances may be different.
Tokino Minoru (Tazuna??)
In 1951, it won the Japanese Derby, becoming the first ever to achieve two classic titles without losing.
However, he died suddenly from tetanus 17 days later. Referred to as the 'phantom horse.'
Northern Taste (Yayoi??)
After coming to Japan in 1975 as a stallion, he produced many excellent offspring. Reforming Japanese horse racing from the perspective of pedigree.
Special Week (1998 Japanese Derby) 5 <Horse number and helmet coloring
Jockey Yutaka Take finally achieves his first victory in the Derby on his 10th try.
El Condor Pasa (1998 Japan Cup) 11
Won comfortably without any issues even at the first 2400m. And then, the monstrous bird sets off for France.
Tokai Teio (1991 Satsuki Sho) 18
Like his father Symboli Rudolf, he won the Satsuki Sho undefeated.
Nice Nature (1994 Takamatsunomiya Hai) 12
A victory for the first time in two years and seven months since the Naruo Kinen in December 1991.
* Until 1995, it was held as a 2000m G2 race, but in 1996 it became a 1200m G1 race, and since 1998, it has been held as the Takamatsunomiya Kinen.
Naruo Kinen was held in December at 2500m as a G2 at the time, but in the game, it takes place in June at 2000m as a G3. However, starting in 2025, it will return to being held in December and will be at 1800m.
Silence Suzuka (1998 Tenno sho -Autumn-) 1
Since the beginning of the year, their talent has blossomed with six consecutive wins, and they are strongly supported as the overwhelming favorite in this race as well...
Matikane Fukukitaru (1997 Kyoto Shimbun Hai) 1
Following the Kobe Newspaper Cup, which was the prelude to the Kikuka Sho, he also conquered the Kyoto Newspaper Cup.
* Kyoto Shimbun Hai was held in October as a preliminary race for the Kikuka Sho at the time, but after 2000, it has been held in May.
Shiraoki
The deity that Matikane Fukukitaru worships in the game is a real mare. This name still remains in the bloodline, and besides Matikane Fukukitaru, it is also included in Vodka and Special Week.
Daiwa Scarlet (2008 Arima Kinen) 13
She shook off the strong horses one after another and made a getaway over 2500 meters. A mare has won this race for the first time in 37 years.
Vodka (2007 Japanese Derby) 3
Although she is a mare, she challenged the Derby and achieved a magnificent victory. It has been 64 years since a mare won the Japanese Derby.
Maruzensky (1976 Asahi Hai 3sai Stakes) 6
Demonstrated an extraordinary speed and won by a large margin. Many strong horses withdrew, and despite it being a GI race, only six horses participated.
* Since 2001, it has been held as the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, and until 2013 it was held at Nakayama Racecourse. Since 2014, it has been held at Hanshin Racecourse.
Agnes Tachyon (2001 Satsuki Sho) 7
A victory that meets expectations of achieving the triple crown.
Taiki Shuttle (1997 Sprinters Stakes) 16
Despite being only 3 years old, he won the G1 Mile Championship last month with ease and will showcase his superiority in this race as well.
* At that time, it used to be held at the end of the year, but after 2000, it takes place at the end of September or in early October.
Sakura Bakushin O (1993 Sprinters Stakes) 12
Although he finished sixth last year, he learned to hold back during the race, increasing his consistency, and achieved revenge.
Grass Wonder (1999 Takarazuka Kinen) 5
It was my first confrontation with Special Week, and I marked it thoroughly, ultimately breaking through at the end.
* Since the year 1999, a dedicated fanfare for the Takarazuka Kinen has been used.
King Halo (2000 Takamatsunomiya Kinen) 13
Although expected to be a good racehorse, it did not achieve results in G1 races, and finally won the title in its 11th challenge for a G1.
Mejiro McQueen (1990 Kikuka Sho) 2
Although Ryan was the most popular among the same type of mejiro, it was Macqueen who truly showcased his abilities in long-distance racing.
Mejiro Ryan (1991 Takarazuka Kinen) 1
Despite a series of close races in five GI challenges, I couldn't afford to lose in this race, which is at my favored distance.
* The Takarazuka Kinen of this year was held at Kyoto Racecourse due to renovation work at Hanshin Racecourse.
Symboli Rudolf (1984 Kikuka Sho) 5
Achieved the fourth horse triple crown in history, while also being the first in history to achieve the triple crown without losing since debut. Referred to as 'the Emperor'.
Rice Shower (1995 Takarazuka Kinen) 16
After a two-year victory at the Tenno Sho -Spring-, he was selected as the first place in the fan voting. However ...
* The Takarazuka Kinen of this year was held at Kyoto Racecourse due to damage to Hanshin Racecourse caused by the Great Hanshin Earthquake.
Haru Urara (2004.3.22 Kochi) 5
The sight of someone running tirelessly despite losing time and again gradually captured the hearts of the people.
This footage is a valuable insight into challenging races alongside jockey Yutaka Take.
Air Groove (1997 Tenno Sho -Autumn-) 12
Although there is the Queen Elizabeth Cup exclusively for fillies, she chose to compete against colts and won. Referred to as the 'Empress'.
Winning Ticket (1993 Japanese Derby) 10
In the midst of the so-called showdown of the three strongest, it lives up to the expectations of being the number one favorite. Jockey Masato Shibata wins this race for the first time in his 19th challenge at the Derby.
Oguri Cap (1990 Arima Kinen) 8
This autumn, I faced difficulties and didn’t achieve results, but in the end, I demonstrated why I am a superstar. With the cheers of 170,000 'Oguri' calls celebrating its run, the horse left the turf.
Super Creek (1989 Tenno sho -Autumn-) 14
Although I had to rest until autumn due to my health not being in good shape, my strength did not diminish, and I was able to prevent Oguri Cap from surpassing me in this race.
Mayano Top Gun (1995 Kikuka Sho) 10
Because there was a concern about his legs, he was racing on dirt, but after starting to use turf, he showed his true potential and his talent blossomed in long-distance races.
Gold Ship (2012 Arima Kinen) 13
This year’s double crown horse confidently responds as the top favorite even against older horses. However, this horse will continue to provoke discussion from now on.
T.M.Opera O (2000 Takarazuka Kinen) 1
At four years old, he demonstrated outstanding strength, achieving four consecutive wins here, including a GI. However, this "overlord" knows no bounds.
Mihono Bourbon (1992 Kyoto Shimbun Hai) 10
The undefeated dual crown horse is set to face its autumn debut. However, the black shadow that approached during the derby was steadily coming closer.
Biwa Hayahide (1994 Takarazuka Kinen) 13
Two weeks after his younger brother Narita Brian became a double crown champion, the older brother also showed his presence with a commanding victory. Fans dreamed of a sibling showdown in the Arima Kinen.
Curren Chan (2011 Sprinters Stakes) 10
After growing stronger during the break since last summer, I achieved five consecutive wins and captured the GI title.
Narita Taishin (1993 Satsuki Sho) 14
It was seen as a showdown between the two strong contenders, but they endured the high-paced race and surged during the final spurt to win.
Smart Falcon (2011 JBC Classic) 10
After establishing a front-running style at the JBC Classic held in Funabashi last year, they have since accumulated consecutive wins, achieving a total of seven consecutive victories including four G1 wins.
* The JBC is modeled after the American Breeders' Cup, and the racetrack hosting it changes every year. In 2025, Funabashi Racecourse will serve as the main venue for the first time in 15 years since Smart Falcon's victory in 2010.
Narita Brian (1995 Hanshin dai syoten) 1
The first race of the year, achieving the colt Triple Crown for the first time in 10 years and also winning the Arima Kinen.
It was thought that they would be the main character again this year in response to their overwhelming popularity...
Seiun Sky (1998 Kikuka Sho) 4
Having won the Satsuki-sho and lost to Special Week in the Derby, in this Kikuka-sho, he dominated the race with the exquisite pace control of jockey Norihiro Yokoyama.
Achieving two crowns without giving up the lead until the end. This is the first time in 38 years that someone has won a race like this.
Hishi Amazon (1994 Crystal Cup) 8
At that time, foreign-bred horses had no eligibility to participate in the classic races such as the Ouka Sho and Oaks, and their available races were limited.
Although it was a short-distance race somewhat different from its suitability, it showed an astonishing finishing speed and won. This has once again demonstrated the horse's true ability.
* The Crystal Cup was held until 2005 and is no longer held.
Fuji Kiseki (1995 Yayoi Sho) 9
Having won the Asahi Hai, he arrived at the classic prep race. Pressed from the outside but pushed back to secure victory. Everyone thought that the classics of that year would revolve around this horse, but...
Gold City (1988 Japan Cup) 4
It has a rare coat color called 'Flaxen chestnut' and is also referred to as a 'handsome boy.' Can you show the world your beauty and talent?
Meisho Doto (2001 Takarazuka kinen) 3
Although he was defeated five times by the 'End-of-Century Overlord' T M Opera O, he finally achieved victory in a G1 race, unfazed by being closely marked by his opponents.
Eishin Flash (2012 Tenno Sho -autumn-) 12
Since the 2010 Japan Derby, he had been away from victory, but on this day, he succeeded in a strong attack from the inside.
After the race, jockey Mirco Demuro dismounted on the course and knelt to bow to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, who had come to watch the race.
Hishi Akebono (1995 Sprinters Stakes) 8
Named after Akebono, the first foreign-born sumo wrestler to become a yokozuna, he swayed his massive 560 kg frame and charged past from the outside in one swift move on this day as well.
* 560 kg still holds the record for the heaviest winning horse in JRA G1 races.
Agnes Digital (2001 Tenno Sho -Autumn-) 10
In an unusual move, he entered the G1 Dirt Race, the Nambu Hai. He surprised the audience by overtaking T M Opera O, who was aiming for an unprecedented eighth G1 title, in the final stretch.
Kawakami Princess (2006 Japanese Oaks) 9
Although her debut was delayed and she was excluded from the Oka Sho due to insufficient prize money, she fully demonstrated her abilities and won the Oaks after three consecutive victories.
Winning the Oaks undefeated was the first time in 49 years.
Manhattan Cafe (2001 Arima Kinen) 4
It became the retirement race for T M Opera O and Meisho Doto, but he overtook both of them, showcasing a generational shift.
In addition, because he resembled his father, Sunday Silence, he also appeared in a drama playing the role of Sunday Silence.
Tosen Jordan (2011 Tenno Sho -Autumn-) 12
Having begun to show its true abilities since last summer, it overturned the low expectations and won in this match, which it approached from the Sapporo Kinen.
1:56.1 became a new Japanese record, surpassing Vodka (1:57.2) by more than one second.
Mejiro Dober (1997 Japanese Oaks) 16
Although unexpectedly forced to struggle in the first two races of the year, he got back to his usual running form in this race, which was over a longer distance.
My father, Mejiro Ryan, couldn't reach the classics, but his daughter avenged that frustration.
Fine Motion (2002 Shuka Sho) 12
Tamamo Cross (1988 Tenno Sho -Autumn-) 9
Sakura Chiyono O (1988 Japanese Derby) 5
Mejiro Ardan (1988 Japanese Derby) 18
Admire Vega (1999 Japanese Derby) 2
Kitasan Black (2017 Arima Kinen) 2
Matikanetannhauser (1995 Takamatsunomiya Hai) 2
Satono Diamond (2016 Kikuka Sho) 3
Mejiro Bright (1998 Tenno Sho -Spring-) 5
Tokai Teio 14 & Mejiro McQueen 5 (Another costume) 1992 Tenno syo -Spring-
The special costume that appeared in season 2 of the TV anime has been implemented in the game as well.
A showdown between Mejiro McQueen, who won the Tenno Sho (Spring) last year, and Tokai Teio, who has been undefeated so far with two crowns from the previous year.
Jockey Yukio Okabe riding Tokai Teio boasts, 'I will run to the ends of the earth.'
In response, jockey Yutaka Take, riding Mejiro McQueen, countered with 'I will rise to the sky.'
The enthusiasm of both is depicted in the costumes of the two.
