Cover image via 
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
Haru Urara, the Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse famed for her losing streak, has died at 29
Notorious for losing all 113 races during her six-year career, she was an international symbol of perseverance and tenacity, and surprisingly scored a win in a race for retired horses in 2019.
Haru Urara was also famous for her trademark pink-and-red Hello Kitty face mask, which helped her focus during races and made her an instant icon.
Yesterday, 9 September 2025, Haru Urara died at age 29 from colic, a condition caused by a build-up of gas in the intestines.
"Haru Urara was 29 years old, which would be nearly 90 years old in human terms, but she was in great health until yesterday," her caretaker Yuko Miyahara told Friday Digital.
Haru Urara, whose name means 'glorious spring', also inspired Umamusume, the famous anime and horse-racing game
She's portrayed as a pink-haired, cheerful, and cheeky "horse girl" who keeps racing no matter how many times she loses.
When the global version of the game launched earlier this year, Haru Urara saw a dramatic resurgence in popularity. Fans even crowdfunded ryegrass for her through the Fresh Hay Bank.
The campaign was so successful that the website crashed, proof of her enduring fanbase decades after retirement.
Her caretakers at Matha Farm said Haru Urara genuinely enjoyed the treats sent by supporters, a testament to how the love she gave the world came back to her in return.
Fans worldwide have been sharing love and condolences
"She [may not have] been the fastest, strongest, or the luckiest horse, but she will always be one of the brightest stars," @tkn0801 said on X.
"She's just a horse…..so why am I crying[?]" @blackmanbubbs said.
Meanwhile, on Reddit's under r/umamusume forum, fans shared numerous fanarts and posts, expressing sadness over the loss of their beloved horse
