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IRL:Haru Urara

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Haru Urara
ハルウララ
Haru Urara with jockey Yutaka Take before the YS Derby Jockey.

Silks
Romaji Haru Urara
Foaled February 27, 1996
Died September 09, 2025
Sire Nippo Teio
Dam Heroine
Sex Mare
Color Bay
Trainer Dai Muneishi
Race Record 113: 0-5-7
Earnings 1,129,000 JPY
Major wins
None
Shining Star of Losers Everywhere
Shining Star of Losers Everywhere

If society valued only winning, then life is constant competition.
Winners and losers. It's war.
If you yourself feel you gave it your all and then lost, you should still be commended.

There are horses that don't try very hard.
Haru Urara would always try till the end.
- Dai Muneishi, trainer of Haru Urara[1]

Haru Urara was a Japanese racehorse that was active from 1998 to 2004. Known as "The Shining Star of Losers Everywhere" (負け組の星 Makegumi no Hoshi), she gained international fame for her long string of consecutive losses racing at Kochi Racecourse.

Name Origin

Her name means "Glorious Spring"[Note 1] in English. She was named by her trainer, Dai Muneishi. While her name was initially going to be Mary Jane, it was changed to Haru Urara due to a horse named Mary Jane already being registered as a racehorse at the time. She was named after Urara Kawashima, the main character of the 1998 television show Ten Urara.[2]

Racing career

Pre-debut

Haru Urara was born on February 27th, 1996 on Shinoda Farm. She was put up for auction, but had no buyers, so the farm became her owners. She was sent to Kochi Racecourse, where Shinoda Farm entrusted her to trainer Dai Muneishi. He remarked that Haru Urara was a difficult horse to handle, often throwing tantrums while washing or reacting violently when being saddled.[1]

Losing streak

On November 17th, 1998, Haru Urara made her debut at Kochi Racecourse, but finished last in a field of five. Haru Urara began to race consistently, averaging almost 20 races per year at Kochi, but never won a single time. She only missed one race in a span of 4 years, due to a hoof injury. Kochi race announcer Koji Haseguchi counted how many races Haru Urara had lost, and by May 2003, she reached 87 consecutive losses. Shinoda Farm planned to retire Haru Urara to become a riding horse in the spring of 2003, but her trainer believed that she wasn't suitable for riding. Ownership was transferred to Takao Yokoyama, who continued to have Haru Urara race.[3]

The Haru Urara Boom

In 2003, Japan had recently endured a financial recession that left thousands without jobs and endangered several businesses, known as the "Lost Decade". Kochi Racecourse suffered from the financial crisis, and was in danger of closing down had it continued to lose money by the end of the year. To save the track, Kochi PR officer, Masashi Yoshida, and track announcer, Koji Haseguchi, were tasked to share stories about Kochi Racecourse. Haseguchi presented Haru Urara and her now 88 consecutive losses to the Kochi Shimbun, who wrote an article on her titled "Let's win just once, keep running! Haru Urara!".[4] The article was sent to national press outlets and was soon picked up by the Mainichi Shimbun, the oldest and one of the biggest newspapers in Japan. Haru Urara became a popular figure in Japan, marking the beginning of the "Haru Urara Boom".[1] She was hailed as a hero by many Japanese, recognized as "the star of the underdogs", with many people soon traveling to Kochi to watch Haru Urara race. By December 14th 2003, over 5,000 spectators came to watch her 100th consecutive defeat.[5]

Haru Urara was gaining significant press coverage, with even the Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi cheering for her success: "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."[6] On March 7th, 2004, it was announced that star Japanese jockey Yutaka Take would travel to Kochi Racecourse to ride Haru Urara for her 106th race.[7] With people believing this may be the race where Haru Urara finally wins, fans from all over Japan came to Kochi. On March 22nd, over 13,000 spectators came to watch Haru Urara, and over 500 million yen of bets were made on her race alone, breaking records for attendance and handle at Kochi Racecourse.[8] Haru Urara failed to win the race, finishing 10th out of 11 horses. Despite the defeat, Take took a victory lap with her to the cheers of the crowd. Two weeks before the race, Yutaka Take wrote on his blog, "It is hard to understand why a horse that has never won a race in its life gained more attention than Grade 1 winning horses."[9] After the race, he commented, "True fans of racing will support strong winning horses, that will never change. But Haru Urara attracted so many fans to Kochi Racecourse and created a frenzy all over Japan, for that I think it's safe to call her a great horse."[10]

Haru Urara continued running throughout 2004, and on August 3rd, had her 113th consecutive defeat.

Controversy and Retirement

After her 113th race, it was announced that Haru Urara will retire from racing in March 2005. On September 15th, 2004, Haru Urara was transferred to Nasu Training Farm in Tochigi Prefecture by Anzai Mitoko. Anzai had gained ownership in March 2004, after Takao Yokoyama made her the owner free of charge. There was conflict between trainer Dai Muneishi and the new owner, with Anzai wanting to transfer Haru Urara to the farm to have her rest so she could win her final race. Dai Muneishi opposed the idea, but Anzai showed up to his stable, threatening Muneishi and forcing her transferal to the farm. It was announced that Haru Urara returned to Kochi Racecourse on January 2005, but she never did, and on October 2006, Haru Urara's NAR registration was cancelled.

Nasu Training Farm manager, Hirota Shuji, remarked on the matter: "[Haru Urara] was trained to a level that it would be surprising had she not won when returning to Kochi Racecourse, but the owner didn't let her race, and suddenly took her away... it was a shame that she was being treated like a pet for the convenience of others."[11]

Post Retirement and Legacy

Anzai Mitoko intended for Haru Urara take part in a horse therapy school and be sent to Shadai Stallion Station to bred with Deep Impact and Stay Gold in 2009,[12] but those plans never came to fruition. For years, the whereabouts of Haru Urara would be unknown.

Around early 2013, Anzai transferred Haru Urara to Martha Farm in Chiba Prefecture. After half a year, Anzai stopped visiting the farm and stopped paying her stable fee. In February 2014 it was announced that Haru Urara was abandoned and now owned by Martha Farm, with the Haru Urara Association soon created to care for her remaining years at the farm.[13]

Haru Urara's popularity from June 2003 to August 2004 helped Kochi Racecourse significantly improve their finances, saving the track from bankruptcy. Kochi Racecourse has stayed open ever since and continues to draw spectators. Haru Urara is still revered as one of the greatest losers in horse racing and sports, having several media created about her story. A picture of her in her racing days is printed on the wall of Kochi Racecourse, next to the stands, forever remembering her as the savior of Kochi Racecourse.

In summer 2018, Haru Urara was featured in a summer traffic safety poster of the Kisarazu Police Station. She was then awarded with 600kg of carrots by the chief of the police station.

In a twist of fate however, Haru Urara joined her 7th Soft Keiba race, which is a soft racing event for retired horses in May 18th 2019, where she won. Fans and media say this is her first victory out of 120 races.[14]

With the introduction of Umamusume: Pretty Derby, fans from the country regularly visited her and with the global release of the game in June 26th 2025, Haru Urara greatly gained popularity from overseas, so much that a website where they can donate ryegrass, her favorite grass, to her and Martha Farm went temporarily offline due to high traffic. She received her first batch of ryegrass shortly after.

On September 8th 2025, staff at Martha Farm observed issues with Haru Urara, such as the lack of defecation, and was checked by a vet. Her condition worsened overnight and on September 9th 2025, Haru Urara passed away due to colic at 29 years old.[15]

Yuko Miyahara, the representative of Martha Farm, said "She stuck to her stubborn ways right to the end. When she had colic, we needed to get her intestines moving, so yesterday we tried to get her to walk, but Urara said 'No, I don't want to walk'. But it's precisely because she was such a stubborn Urara that we have so many happy memories. I'm truly filled with gratitude for Urara."

Films and other media about Haru Urara

  • Haru Urara (2005) - a drama film by Morikawa Tokikisa.[16]
  • The Shining Star of Losers Everywhere (2016) - Award-winning short film by Mickey Dujyz, made for ESPN's 30 for 30.[1]
  • Haru Urara - a song by the Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro, for their 2021 album "The Myth of Happily Forever After".[17]

Relationships

Relatives

Race Records

Race data sourced from netkeiba.
Date Racecourse Race Grade Distance Gate Odds Fav. Fin. Time Margin Jockey Winner (Runner-Up) Other Umamusume
1998/11/17 Kochi Three-Year-Olds 3 D 1000m 3 3 5 1:09.2 3.4 F.Furukawa Gallopski
1998/12/13 Kochi Three-Year-Olds 4 D 1000m 1 6 5 1:07.5 2.3 F.Furukawa Easy Queen
1998/12/31 Kochi Three-Year-Olds 4 D 1000m 5 5 6 1:08.7 3.4 S.Tokudome Easy King
1999/01/10 Kochi Four-Year-Olds 4 D 1300m 4 7 5 1:31.9 2.8 S.Tokudome Sweet King
1999/01/30 Kochi Four-Year-Olds 4 D 1300m 3 7 6 1:32.9 2.9 S.Tokudome Harima Ichimonji
1999/02/13 Kochi Four-Year-Olds 4 D 1300m 6 4 4 1:29.9 1.1 S.Tokudome Multi Iruseta
1999/02/27 Kochi Four-Year-Olds 4 D 1300m 5 2 3 1:27.4 0.4 Y.Tokudome Tomino Chanel
1999/03/21 Kochi Four-Year-Olds 3 D 1300m 7 8 10 1:27.1 2.5 T.Yamakita Evlos Fit
1999/04/05 Kochi Four-Year-Olds 4 D 1300m 1 5 4 1:29.1 1.0 Y.Tokudome Nissei Rinden
1999/04/19 Kochi Four-Year-Olds 4 D 1300m 4 6 4 1:26.6 1.1 Y.Tokudome Wild Clover
1999/05/04 Kochi Four-Year-Olds 4 D 1300m 10 5 3 1:27.2 0.5 Y.Tokudome Odaken Harmony
1999/05/22 Kochi Four-Year-Olds 4 D 1300m 6 1 5 1:29.8 0.6 F.Furukawa Tenju Noko
1999/06/19 Kochi Four-Year-Olds 4 D 1300m 6 7 6 1:25.4 0.2 Y.Tokudome Silver Touch
1999/07/10 Kochi Four-Year-Olds 4 D 1300m 1 7 6 1:27.7 1.7 Y.Tokudome Easy King
1999/08/07 Kochi Four-Year-Olds 4 D 1300m 3 8 8 1:27.1 2.0 Y.Tokudome Kanetoshi True Bs
1999/08/28 Kochi Four-Year-Olds 4 D 1300m 3 6 6 1:26.7 2.6 Y.Tokudome Eishin Malone
1999/09/06 Kochi Four-Year-Olds 5 D 1300m 4 5 5 1:26.5 2.0 F.Furukawa Laurel Sniper
1999/09/20 Kochi C68 D 1300m 1 7 7 1:26.8 3.1 F.Furukawa Daikou Angel
1999/10/04 Kochi C68 D 1300m 6 2 2 1:27.5 0.0 K.Imamura Pot Man Dyna
1999/11/02 Kochi C65 D 1300m 4 5 6 1:26.5 1.5 Y.Tokudome Hana no Euro
1999/11/23 Kochi C66 D 1000m 7 6 7 1:06.4 1.7 K.Imamura Snark Sunrise
1999/12/19 Kochi C67 D 1300m 4 5 5 1:28.0 2.0 K.Imamura Kiyoraka Sparrow
1999/12/30 Kochi C67 D 1300m 3 5 4 1:28.3 0.6 K.Imamura Blue Wembley
2000/01/16 Kochi C68 D 1300m 3 4 7 1:28.5 2.2 K.Imamura Safety Arrow
2000/02/07 Kochi C67 D 1300m 4 7 8 1:27.7 3.2 H.Miyagawa Kanetoshi Ability
2000/03/18 Kochi C68 D 1300m 8 6 4 1:29.8 3.3 H.Miyagawa Safety Arrow
2000/04/23 Kochi C67 D 1300m 6 7 5 1:27.4 2.9 H.Miyagawa Kane Mizuki
2000/04/29 Kochi C62 D 1300m 1 5 8 1:28.1 4.1 H.Miyagawa Judi Urban
2000/05/14 Kochi C67 D 1300m 8 6 7 1:28.3 3.3 H.Miyagawa Land Atlas
2000/06/12 Kochi C66 D 1300m 1 5 7 1:25.6 3.6 K.Imamura Bamboo Pino
2000/07/02 Kochi C63 D 1300m 3 5 6 1:26.6 4.1 K.Imamura Bamboo Pino
2000/07/16 Kochi C63 D 1300m 1 7 5 1:27.2 1.8 K.Imamura Golden Tolomeo
2000/08/07 Kochi C65 D 1300m 5 5 4 1:27.6 1.6 K.Imamura Golden Tolomeo
2000/08/28 Kochi C64 D 1300m 2 3 4 1:28.5 2.9 H.Miyagawa One For All
2000/09/16 Kochi C63 D 1300m 9 5 7 1:25.8 3.2 H.Miyagawa Strong Max
2000/09/30 Kochi C63 D 1300m 1 7 6 1:27.9 2.9 H.Miyagawa Strong Max
2000/10/16 Kochi C64 D 1300m 1 5 6 1:30.0 2.0 Y.Ogata Taiki Liberty
2000/11/04 Kochi C63 D 1300m 9 4 7 1:29.3 3.6 Y.Ogata Taiki Liberty
2000/11/26 Kochi C62 D 1300m 6 4 5 1:29.4 3.1 S.Myojin Inter Shark
2000/12/09 Kochi C62 D 1300m 3 6 8 1:29.9 2.7 Y.Ogata Inter Shark
2000/12/30 Kochi C63 D 1300m 2 4 8 1:31.0 2.9 F.Furukawa Golden Shake
2001/01/22 Kochi C64 D 1300m 9 7 10 1:31.1 5.6 F.Furukawa Kona Sunset
2001/02/05 Kochi C66 D 1300m 6 5 6 1:27.8 3.3 K.Imamura Hama Okan
2001/02/25 Kochi C64 D 1300m 7 6 5 1:30.8 2.9 K.Imamura Eishin Caerleon
2001/03/11 Kochi C64 D 1300m 3 7 8 1:30.3 2.6 F.Furukawa Ibuki Cycle
2001/04/02 Kochi E D 1300m 2 9 9 1:30.7 3.8 Y.Ogata Tosano Big
2001/04/23 Kochi E D 1300m 8 5 8 1:28.9 2.9 K.Imamura Tribune
2001/05/05 Kochi E D 1300m 2 6 9 1:28.1 2.5 H.Miyagawa Asakusa Tablet
2001/06/03 Kochi E D 1300m 9 9 8 1:29.3 3.5 K.Imamura Gambarino
2001/07/01 Kochi E D 1300m 1 4 3 1:28.7 1.5 K.Imamura Advance Movie
2001/07/15 Kochi E D 1300m 6 6 9 1:28.8 2.3 K.Imamura Sakura Asset
2001/08/05 Kochi E D 1300m 1 4 9 1:30.6 2.0 K.Imamura Tosagin Win B
2001/08/27 Kochi E D 1300m 9 4 4 1:30.7 2.2 K.Imamura Silk Sunshine
2001/09/09 Kochi E D 1300m 1 4 2 1:27.3 0.2 K.Imamura Seto Brave
2001/10/07 Kochi E D 1300m 5 7 7 1:29.3 2.1 F.Furukawa Very Very
2001/10/20 Kochi E D 1300m 7 6 2 1:28.8 0.7 K.Imamura Kiyoraka Sparrow
2001/11/05 Kochi E D 1300m 3 2 8 1:28.5 2.2 Y.Ogata Guinness Book
2001/11/23 Kochi E D 1300m 1 7 7 1:31.2 2.7 F.Furukawa Kaiyou Heat
2001/12/15 Kochi E D 1300m 7 7 9 1:29.3 2.6 F.Furukawa Meiner Gabe
2001/12/31 Kochi E D 1300m 10 5 8 1:31.3 1.9 H.Miyagawa Feeling Raijin
2002/01/19 Kochi E D 1300m 6 4 9 1:30.6 2.8 K.Imamura Aino Golden
2002/02/16 Kochi E D 1300m 1 7 10 1:30.8 3.6 K.Imamura Ibuki Rise Up
2002/03/09 Kochi E D 1300m 8 6 6 1:29.7 1.4 K.Imamura Yuubi Shop
2002/03/30 Kochi E D 1300m 9 7 8 1:29.0 2.3 Y.Ogata Kijou Kodama
2002/04/28 Kochi E D 1300m 6 8 7 1:30.6 2.5 Y.Ogata Lovely George
2002/05/05 Kochi E D 1300m 4 8 3 1:26.5 0.8 Y.Ogata Just Touch
2002/05/13 Kochi E D 1300m 3 6 6 1:28.3 2.0 Y.Ogata Remain Guts
2002/05/26 Kochi E D 1400m 7 3 6 1:35.4 1.3 Y.Ogata East Pegasus
2002/06/23 Kochi E D 1400m 7 5 7 1:36.9 1.7 F.Furukawa Asahi Tension
2002/07/22 Kochi E D 1400m 3 5 4 1:36.6 2.2 F.Furukawa Eishin Tempe
2002/08/12 Kochi E D 1300m 5 7 2 1:27.2 0.3 Y.Tokaji Namura Hiden
2002/08/31 Kochi E D 1300m 5 6 8 1:28.0 2.4 F.Furukawa With Honesty
2002/09/14 Kochi E D 1400m 1 8 9 1:38.0 3.2 Y.Tokaji Tomoe Moule
2002/10/13 Kochi E D 1400m 10 10 7 1:37.2 1.9 S.Hanamoto Hatshepsu
2002/10/29 Kochi E D 1300m 1 4 8 1:31.0 2.4 M.Ueda San M.Papillon
2002/11/24 Kochi E D 1300m 5 8 7 1:30.5 1.7 Y.Tokaji Bamboo Byblos
2002/12/07 Kochi E D 1400m 1 3 6 1:35.1 1.9 M.Ueda Divine Call
2002/12/22 Kochi E D 1300m 4 4 4 1:28.5 0.5 M.Ueda Hikaru Sazan Cross
2003/01/01 Kochi E D 1400m 3 3 5 1:37.5 2.6 M.Ueda Toushin Koban
2003/01/18 Kochi E D 1300m 4 4 8 1:30.4 2.6 M.Ueda Cloune
2003/02/10 Kochi E D 1300m 7 7 6 1:27.6 1.6 F.Furukawa Silk Ability
2003/03/01 Kochi E D 1300m 9 8 7 1:28.8 2.6 F.Furukawa Meiner Pensee
2003/03/10 Kochi E 2nd Race D 1300m 1 5 6 1:30.0 1.9 H.Miyagawa Marutaka Blizzard
2003/03/17 Kochi E D 1400m 2 6 7 1:35.9 1.4 F.Furukawa Kamui Fujin
2003/04/27 Kochi G D 1300m 9 6 6 1:29.2 1.6 M.Ueda Heisei Kagura
2003/05/10 Kochi G D 1300m 7 8 7 1:29.9 3.4 H.Miyagawa Titanic O
2003/05/17 Kochi G D 1300m 4 5 4 1:29.1 0.5 M.Miyagawa Y.B.Surf
2003/06/07 Kochi G3 D 1300m 1 7 6 1:29.2 3.4 F.Furukawa Meiner Trust
2003/06/21 Kochi G5 2nd Race D 1300m 5 5 8 1:28.0 2.5 M.Ueda Yugiri Jo
2003/07/05 Kochi G2 D 1300m 7 4 8 1:28.5 3.5 H.Miyagawa Jono Jimbaran
2003/07/27 Kochi G2 D 1300m 10 2 7 1:30.3 3.5 K.Kawae Meiner Vintage
2003/08/10 Kochi G2 D 1300m 6 2 5 1:30.0 1.0 F.Furukawa Yamahisa Teio
2003/08/24 Kochi G2 D 1000m 9 3 8 1:07.3 1.7 F.Furukawa Minonoto Sama
2003/09/07 Kochi Ganbare!! Haru Urara D 1300m 10 2 9 1:30.5 2.6 F.Furukawa Corbin Swan
2003/09/28 Kochi Haru Urara o Oen suru D 1300m 4 2 5 1:30.1 1.3 F.Furukawa Turf in Flight
2003/10/13 Kochi F5 D 1300m 1 1 6 1:28.4 2.3 Y.Ogata Corbin Swan
2003/10/25 Kochi Urara Otanjobi Kinen Tokubetsu D 1300m 1 2 7 1:32.1 2.8 M.Ueda Marutaka Crafty
2003/11/09 Kochi Ouchi e Kaero CLU D 1300m 1 2 3 1:28.8 2.3 F.Furukawa News Flash
2003/11/30 Kochi Urara no Hon January 2004 D 1300m 7 2 3 1:28.3 2.0 F.Furukawa Zenno Takamoku
2003/12/14 Kochi Haru Urara 100 Senki D 1300m 5 1 9 1:29.9 2.1 F.Furukawa Kanekome Hikari
2004/01/02 Kochi Ouchi e Kaero CLU D 1300m 1 1 7 1:31.5 1.6 F.Furukawa Takano Bakushin
2004/01/11 Kochi Ganbaru Kochi Keiba Gekirei D 1300m 10 3 10 1:31.9 3.3 F.Furukawa Sea Riant
2004/02/01 Kochi Haru Urara Kanko Korosha D 1300m 7 1 6 1:32.0 0.5 F.Furukawa Kanetoshi Freedom
2004/02/15 Kochi Kochi o Marugoto Itada D 1300m 3 3 7 1:32.0 1.5 F.Furukawa Grail Mining
2004/02/29 Kochi Tassuiga wa, Ikan D 1300m 11 1 9 1:29.0 2.2 F.Furukawa Grail Mining
2004/03/22 Kochi YS Derby Jockey D 1300m 5 1 10 1:28.6 2.2 Y.Take Fast Bounce
2004/04/18 Kochi Minna Ganbatterun D 1300m 6 2 5 1:30.7 1.5 F.Furukawa Canyon Daikan
2004/05/05 Kochi Haru Urara Asunaro Tokubetsu D 1300m 11 2 6 1:30.3 1.3 F.Furukawa Suzuma Saru
2004/05/23 Kochi Haru Urara Sanka: Hatsu D 1300m 5 2 2 1:30.9 0.3 F.Furukawa Green Seresa
2004/06/13 Kochi 彰海深く千代の宙へ特 D 1300m 6 1 3 1:30.9 1.8 F.Furukawa Suzuma Saru
2004/06/27 Kochi Otoko no Kunsho ☆ Ganbatte D 1300m 5 1 5 1:28.9 1.2 F.Furukawa Rainbow Shuttle
2004/07/11 Kochi Urara Summer Ray D 1300m 3 2 4 1:29.6 0.8 F.Furukawa Many Memory
2004/08/03 Kochi Haru Urara Challenge D 1300m 3 3 5 1:28.9 3.7 F.Furukawa Onozomi Doori

Pedigree

Horse pedigree of Haru Urara (JPN)
Sire
Nippo Teio (JPN)
Lypheor (GB) Lyphard (USA) Northern Dancer (CAN)
Goofed (USA)
Klaizia (FR) Sing Sing (GB)
Klainia (FR)
Chiyoda Masako (JPN) Lover John (USA) Damascus (USA)
Evening Primrose (USA)
Miss O Hayabusa (JPN) Partholon (IRE)
World Hayabusa (JPN)
Dam
Heroine (JPN)
Lucky Sovereign (USA) Nijinsky (CAN) Northern Dancer (CAN)
Flaming Page (CAN)
Sovereign (GB) Pardao (GB)
Urshalim (GB)
Peerless Lady (JPN) Tesco Boy (GB) Princely Gift (GB)
Suncourt (GB)
East Side (JPN) Partholon (IRE)
Miss Hakuryu (JPN), (Family: 12)


Notes

  1. Kanji presumably 春麗

References