A chapter in Japanese pop culture and horse racing history has come to a close. Haru Urara, the legendary racehorse who became a national symbol of perseverance and hope, has passed away. She died peacefully at the age of 29 at Martha Farm, Chiba, where she spent her retirement.
The sad news was confirmed by FRIDAY magazine via their X (formerly, Twitter) account on 9 September 2025 at 1530 JST. Her death is caused by a sudden bout of colic, a digestive condition in horses that can be fatal.
According to Yuko Miyahara, a representative of Martha Farm, Haru Urara’s condition deteriorated rapidly. “On the morning of 8 September, she hadn’t passed any faeces, so we knew something was wrong”, she said. The farm staff immediately called a vet and stayed by her side throughout the night. Despite their efforts, her condition worsened in the early hours, and she quietly passed away.
The loss was especially painful as she had appeared healthy and spirited just the day before. “Recently, more and more visitors from overseas have come to see her. That’s why this is truly heartbreaking”, Miyahara added.
Haru Urara is a racehorse from Japan that became a national sensation not for her victories, but for her unmatched losing streak. She ran in 113 races without ever winning. However, her willingness to run despite those losses inspires a lot of people. People began to cheer her as she earned the nickname “Star of the Losers” from the public.
Later, Haru Urara retired and vanished for ten years until Martha Farm revealed her whereabouts. Haru Urara’s popularity surged again globally, thanks to her character’s inclusion in Uma Musume: Pretty Derby. In the game, she’s portrayed as a cheerful, optimistic girl who never gives up despite always losing.
The Indonesian Anime Times
