[Exclusive] Farewell Haru Urara: The Star of 113 Consecutive Losses Passes Away

In human terms, she is 90 years old

Do you remember the horse that once captivated all of Japan as the “star of the losing streak”? In 2004, Haru Urara set an unprecedented record of 113 consecutive losses at Kochi Racecourse, and precisely because of her weakness, she became a national idol. She had been spending her later years at a farm in Chiba, but it was revealed that in the early hours of September 9, she passed away peacefully, surrounded by staff.

“On the morning of the 8th, she hadn’t defecated, so I thought this was serious. We called the vet for treatment and stayed with her throughout the night… but her condition suddenly worsened at dawn, and she passed away. It’s truly heartbreaking,” said Yuko Miyahara (42), the representative of Martha Farm where Haru Urara was stabled and also head of the “Haru Urara Association.”

The cause of death was colic, a dangerous condition in horses caused when food doesn’t digest properly, leading to gas buildup or impaired intestinal movement. Colic is a frequent and often fatal disease for horses; even Derby winners like Winning Ticket, Sunny Brian, and Roger Barows have died from it.

“Haru Urara was 29 years old, equivalent to about 90 in human years, and she had been lively right up until yesterday. And then, suddenly… Lately, more people had been coming to see her from not just Japan, but overseas as well. So, it’s truly unfortunate.” Miyahara added.

She even served as a charm for traffic safety

FRIDAY visited Haru Urara at “Martha Farm” (Onjuku, Chiba Prefecture) at the end of August for an interview. She ran around the ranch and played in the sand right in front of the reporters. Despite being 29 years old, her steps were as sturdy as those of a young horse. She had no major illnesses and a healthy appetite. To think that she would pass away just two weeks later it’s still hard to believe she’s gone.

Haru Urara’s racing career was nothing short of extraordinary. From her debut in 1998, she never won a race, relentlessly continuing her losing streak. Normally, she would have been retired long ago, but her unwavering effort resonated with the era of “restructuring” in Japan, turning her into a massive sensation as the “loser star.” Because she never came in first, her win-only bets were seen as good luck charms for traffic safety and sold like hotcakes.

The peak of her fame came in March 2004, when top jockey Yutaka Take rode her. That day, 13,000 fans crowded into Kochi Racecourse, causing entrance restrictions in a near-panic situation. Haru Urara carried the hopes of the entire nation, but finished 10th out of 11 horses. Even Take couldn’t get the better of her.

After retiring, Haru Urara moved between farms in Chiba and Hokkaido, eventually settling at Yuko Miyahara’s retirement facility, “Martha Farm.” To support her remaining years, Miyahara established a membership-based “Haru Urara Association,” limiting membership to 50 people and not accepting any more.

“We were very conscious of avoiding any impression that we were making money off Urara. The current membership fees are enough to cover her care.”

“I am filled with gratitude.”

An unexpected turn came for Urara. She was chosen as a character in the hugely popular game “Uma Musume Pretty Derby,” which personifies racehorses. In the game, she is portrayed as a bright and resilient character who never gives up despite continual losses, reigniting her popularity. Young fans began visiting the farm again, and when the English version of the game for North America and Europe was released in June 2025, her fame spread worldwide.

“Before, we had quite a few visitors from China, Taiwan, and South Korea, but after the English version came out, the situation changed completely. Inquiries for farm visits came from the U.S., the Philippines, and recently even Poland. About a third of recent reservations are from overseas visitors.”

It’s been about 20 years since the craze that swept across Japan. Haru Urara continued to bring dreams and hope to countless people. The time she spent at Martha Farm was likely the most peaceful and happiest period of her life.

“She stayed true to her own will until the very end. During her colic, we needed to get her intestines moving, so yesterday we tried to get her to walk, but Urara stopped and said, ‘No, I don’t want to walk.’ But it’s precisely because she was so headstrong that we have so many joyful memories. I am truly filled with gratitude toward Urara.”

The September 26 issue of FRIDAY reported on Haru Urara’s lively appearance at the farm just two weeks before she passed away.