Umamusume horse Haru Urara inspires disabled fan to perform tribute on stage

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A fan with a disability shared how Japan’s beloved but often-defeated racehorse, Haru Urara, gave her the confidence to overcome years of self-doubt, leading her to perform a special tribute in Tokyo.

On December 28, 2025, Keiko Tanaka, a singer who uses a wheelchair and lives with spinal muscular atrophy, performed a song honoring the racehorse Haru Urara, as reported by Kyodo News. She also performed two other songs related to horse racing.

It was a really emotional moment, honestly. It brought everything full circle for me. I first heard about this horse – a total underdog who just wouldn’t quit – over twenty years ago, and seeing it all come to an end felt incredibly personal.

How Haru Urara inspired a disabled fan  

Haru Urara was a famous horse in Japan in the early 2000s, not because she won, but because she lost every single one of her 113 races! People nicknamed her the “shining star of losers” and admired her determination. She became a symbol of never giving up, inspiring people both inside and outside of horse racing.

Recently, Urara’s story gained international attention thanks to the game Umamusume: Pretty Derby, which portrays her as a positive and persistent character who always tries her best. This popularity was so widespread that fans from around the world began sending gifts and letters to the actual horse in Japan.

Urara’s story resonated deeply with Tanaka on a personal level. Tanaka had spent years battling anxiety and low self-worth, feeling like she was a burden to others. Learning about Urara’s experiences helped her to see herself in a new light.

“She taught me that living life as you are is the true meaning of life,” Tanaka said.

Their bond deepened when Tanaka was finally able to visit Urara at the Chiba farm where she was living after retiring from racing.

I used to worry if I was dependent on others, and if that meant I was failing in some way. But meeting Urara at the farm helped me realize I didn’t need to feel that way. She seemed to accept herself completely, refusing to let expectations define her, and showed me the importance of simply being true to who you are.

When Haru Urara died on September 9, 2025, Tanaka felt compelled to honor the horse who meant so much to her. Although she’d never sung before, she started taking lessons and practiced diligently, determined to perform a tribute to Urara by the end of the year.

Tanaka achieved her dream on December 28th, sharing a heartfelt tribute on stage in Tokyo to the horse that, despite never winning a race, had a profound impact on her life.

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2026-01-13 14:52