• Education
    • Higher Education
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • Online Learning
    • School Reforms
    • Research & Innovation
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Home & Living
    • Relationships & Family
  • Technology & Startups
    • Software & Apps
    • Startup Success Stories
    • Startups & Innovations
    • Tech Regulations
    • Venture Capital
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cybersecurity
    • Emerging Technologies
    • Gadgets & Devices
    • Industry Analysis
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
Today Headline
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
Today Headline
No Result
View All Result
Home World News Asia

Japanese racehorse famed for losing all her races sees surge in popularity after mobile game launch

July 8, 2025
in Asia
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
0
Retired Japanese racehorse Haru Urara and the anime character based on her.
29
SHARES
63
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


SINGAPORE – Retired Japanese racehorse Haru Urara has seen an unexpected surge in popularity after the global launch of a mobile game.

The 29-year-old mare, whose name means “glorious spring”, first found mainstream popularity in Japan in 2003, when local media reported that she had clocked her 80th consecutive loss since her debut in 1998.

Donning her trademark pink and red Hello Kitty face mask, she went on to lose every single one of the 113 races she participated in before her retirement in 2004.

At the peak of her popularity, then-Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, had even referenced the horse in Parliament amid a recession in 2004.

“I’d like to see Haru Urara win, even just once. The horse is a good example of not giving up in the face of defeat”, he had said, according to a CBS News report the same year.

Now, Haru Urara has earned newfound global appeal after she appeared as a pink-haired anime character in the Uma Musume Pretty Derby mobile game, from the media franchise of the same name.

In the franchise, actual racehorses in Japan are reborn as anthropomorphic horse girls, who train to compete in races as runners, and also as idols who perform on stage.

The English version of the mobile game, also named Uma Musume Pretty Derby, launched globally on June 26, with more than a million downloads since then.

The free-to-play game allows players to train characters to take part in simulated races, charting a career path to develop their skills to their fullest potential.

Once dubbed “the shining star of losers everywhere”, Haru Urara’s namesake character is similarly recognised for her undying optimism and determination, despite never having tasted victory.

The game features a lucky draw mechanic known as gacha, where players can spend in-game currency in a bid to obtain rare characters. However, Haru Urara’s character is already available at the start of the game.

Newer fans of the franchise were instantly smitten with the character’s infectious energy, with some online lauding the never-say-die attitude of the actual horse through various memes.

While her character in the game may posses less-than-stellar attributes, some players have resolved to lead her to victory, allowing her to fulfil what she never could as a horse.

Since its original 2021 launch in Japan, the game has earned more than US$2.5 billion in revenue in Japan alone across more than 22 million downloads as at March.

X user @animal_love_kaz, a member of the official Haru Urara fan club, noted that a photo of the horse donning a tiara on her birthday saw more than 10,000 interactions on the social media platform.

“Haru Urara is doing very well. In fact, she’s healthier and more energetic than me,” said the user, who regularly visits the retired racehorse on the privately-owned farm in Chiba prefecture where she now resides.

For some, Haru Urara’s losing streak has also taken on a different meaning.

Betting tickets with her name were an almost guaranteed loss – the words “ataranai” in Japanese mean “to lose a bet”, but could also mean “to not be struck”.

As such, these have also been used as charms against traffic accidents or being laid off and can cost upwards of 3000 yen (S$26).

Haru Urara memorabilia and stuffed toys have also commanded a much higher price tag than some of her more successful race mates.

Previous Post

Is Pakistan’s messaging on India convincing anyone?

Next Post

Trump praises Patel and Bongino as they receive ire over Epstein memo

Related Posts

Mr Vitai Ratanakorn was poised to be picked to run the Bank of Thailand.

Thailand unexpectedly holds off naming new central bank chief

July 15, 2025
8
When it’s this hot, ‘We are enduring, not living’

When it’s this hot, ‘We are enduring, not living’

July 15, 2025
7
Next Post

Trump praises Patel and Bongino as they receive ire over Epstein memo

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

April 2, 2025
Pioneering 3D printing project shares successes

Product reduces TPH levels to non-hazardous status

November 27, 2024

Police ID man who died after Corso Italia fight

December 23, 2024

Hospital Mergers Fail to Deliver Better Care or Lower Costs, Study Finds todayheadline

December 31, 2024
Harris tells supporters 'never give up' and urges peaceful transfer of power

Harris tells supporters ‘never give up’ and urges peaceful transfer of power

0
Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend's Mother

Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother

0

Trump ‘looks forward’ to White House meeting with Biden

0
Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

0

Trump asked Zelenskyy if Ukraine could hit Moscow, say people briefed on call

July 15, 2025
Huawei Network Partner of the Year Award 2025 (1)

In2IT Technologies Awarded Huawei Network Partner Of The Year At Africa Connect 2025 | africa.com

July 15, 2025

Trump joins tech and energy executives amid AI push

July 15, 2025

Ontario students targeted by hundreds of antisemitic incidents, federal report finds

July 15, 2025

Recent News

Trump asked Zelenskyy if Ukraine could hit Moscow, say people briefed on call

July 15, 2025
0
Huawei Network Partner of the Year Award 2025 (1)

In2IT Technologies Awarded Huawei Network Partner Of The Year At Africa Connect 2025 | africa.com

July 15, 2025
5

Trump joins tech and energy executives amid AI push

July 15, 2025
5

Ontario students targeted by hundreds of antisemitic incidents, federal report finds

July 15, 2025
6

TodayHeadline is a dynamic news website dedicated to delivering up-to-date and comprehensive news coverage from around the globe.

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Basketball
  • Business & Finance
  • Climate Change
  • Crime & Justice
  • Cybersecurity
  • Economic Policies
  • Elections
  • Entertainment
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Policies
  • Europe
  • Football
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Health
  • Medical Research
  • Mental Health
  • Middle East
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Politics
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Science & Environment
  • Software & Apps
  • Space Exploration
  • Sports
  • Stock Market
  • Technology & Startups
  • Tennis
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Us & Canada
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • World News

Recent News

Trump asked Zelenskyy if Ukraine could hit Moscow, say people briefed on call

July 15, 2025
Huawei Network Partner of the Year Award 2025 (1)

In2IT Technologies Awarded Huawei Network Partner Of The Year At Africa Connect 2025 | africa.com

July 15, 2025
  • Education
  • Lifestyle
  • Technology & Startups
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 Todayheadline.co

Welcome Back!

OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Business & Finance
  • Corporate News
  • Economic Policies
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Market Trends
  • Crime & Justice
  • Court Cases
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Cybercrime
  • Legal Reforms
  • Policing
  • Education
  • Higher Education
  • Online Learning
  • Entertainment
  • Awards & Festivals
  • Celebrity News
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Health
  • Fitness & Nutrition
  • Medical Breakthroughs
  • Mental Health
  • Pandemic Updates
  • Lifestyle
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Food & Drink
  • Home & Living
  • Politics
  • Elections
  • Government Policies
  • International Relations
  • Legislative News
  • Political Parties
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Middle East
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Industry Analysis
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Climate Change
  • Environmental Policies
  • Medical Research
  • Science & Environment
  • Space Exploration
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • Sports
  • Tennis
  • Technology & Startups
  • Software & Apps
  • Startup Success Stories
  • Startups & Innovations
  • Tech Regulations
  • Venture Capital
  • Uncategorized
  • World News
  • Us & Canada
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Travel
  • Research & Innovation
  • Scholarships & Grants
  • School Reforms
  • Stock Market
  • TV & Streaming
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
  • About us
  • Contact

© 2024 Todayheadline.co