Haru Urara, the Japanese racehorse who became a national symbol of perseverance despite losing every single race she ever ran, has died at the age of 29. The thoroughbred mare passed away in the early hours of Tuesday at Martha Farm in Chiba prefecture, eastern Japan, surrounded by her keepers, according to local media.
Known for wearing a pink Hello Kitty face mask during races, Haru Urara was once dubbed “the shining star of losers everywhere.” Her caretaker, Yuko Miyahara, told Friday Digital: “Haru Urara was 29 years old, which would be nearly 90 years old in human terms, but she was in great health until yesterday.” The horse was still receiving visits from fans and was reportedly in good health the weekend before her death.
Born in Hokkaido in 1996, Haru Urara—whose name means “glorious spring”—suffered her first loss at Kochi Racecourse in November 1998. She gained fame in 2003 when local media reported her 80th consecutive loss, postponing her planned retirement. She retired in 2004 with a record of 113 losses from 113 races, becoming a beloved icon of tenacity.
Her fame surged again in July with the launch of the mobile game Uma Musume: Pretty Derby, which features her as a pink-haired anime character. The game's developers posted on social media: “It is with heavy hearts that we share that Haru Urara passed away on September 9. The legendary racehorse's legacy serves as the inspiration for the character of the same name.”
