A Japanese racehorse who turned well-known for having by no means gained a single race has died,
Haru Urara, who was the inspiration for a well-liked cell recreation character, handed away within the early hours of Tuesday on the age of 29. She was surrounded by her keepers at Martha Farm in Chiba prefecture, in jap Japan, in line with native media.
The thoroughbred mare, recognized for donning a pink Good day Kitty face masks whereas racing, was as soon as dubbed “the shining star of losers in all places.”
“Haru Urara was 29 years previous, which might be almost 90 years previous in human phrases, however she was in nice well being till yesterday,” her caretaker, Yuko Miyahara, advised Friday Digital.
“Not too long ago, increasingly folks, not solely from Japan but additionally from abroad, have been coming to see Haru Urara. So it’s actually unlucky.”
The horse was nonetheless receiving visits from followers and was reportedly nonetheless in good well being the weekend earlier than her demise.
Haru Urara, whose identify means “superb spring” was born within the northern island of Hokkaido in 1996. She suffered her first loss on the Kochi Racecourse in southwestern Japan in November 1998.
Nonetheless it was not till 2003 when she first discovered fame when native media in Japan reported on her eightieth racing loss in a row, suspending her deliberate retirement.
She continued the spectacular streak till her retirement in 2004 – having misplaced 113 races – and later turned a nationwide image of perseverance and tenacity.
The horse’s fame additionally took a bump lately in July, following the launch of the Uma Musume: Fairly Derby cell recreation, the place she appeared as a pink-haired anime character.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we share that Haru Urara handed away on September 9,” the sport posted on social media Tuesday.
“The legendary racehorse’s legacy serves because the inspiration for the character of the identical identify in Umamusume: Fairly Derby. We share our condolences to all of the workers concerned in Haru Urara’s care.”
