Winning Ticket: I absolutely LOVE it when Umamusume links a connection between the Uma and their IRL Jockey.
Ticket's dream is to win the Japanese Derby, which is inspired by his IRL Jockey's dream. Masato Shibata, Ticket's Jockey, wanted to win the Japanese Derby. But he just couldn't! Even though he's been Horse racing for quite literally a TWO DECADES and a half! he raced in the Derby 18 times and didn't win a single time.
that was until he found Winning Ticket! The two then proceeded to win the Japanese Derby together!
Maruzensky: Maru IRL was a MONSTER! Winning all 8 of his races by HUGE lengths! the only time he almost lost was his 3rd race, winning by a nose! it got to a point where other Jockeys LEFT the race because they saw that Maruzensky was racing in it!
But unfortunately, he was banned from racing in the Japanese Classics due to his status as a "Foreign Horse" even though Maru was birthed in Japan by her mother, Shill.
Maru's Jockey BEGGED for Maru to enter the classics, saying "I don't care if he's on the outside. I won't interfere with the other horses. I don't want any of the prize money. I just want to see what this horse can do" But no amount of begging could convince them. leading Maru to retire with an undefeated record
Also, Props to her for giving me my first ever A rank in the game!
Kitasan Black: Now you'd expect me to list off some cool facts about some races with Kitasan, but no. I wanna talk about his TRAGIC love life.
IRL, Kitasan is considering an AMAZING Stallion, being able to Sire horses like Equinox and Croix du Nord. But his early days were ROUGH.
He was supposed to mate with Sweep Tosho, but his crew were busy. That's when DURAMANTE'S TEAM, HIS RIVAL'S TEAM, swept in and stole Sweep Tosho first. and it doesn't end there. Because Duramante then MATED WITH HIS MOTHER, SUGAR HEART. Imagine having a brother of the person you hate the most.
Another props to Kitasan for giving me my first ever A+ Rank!
Kawakami Princess: A VERY Underrated Uma! Kawakami was a pretty powerful Horse, winning her first 5 races and gaining a Double Tiara! becoming an Undefeated Double Tiara! Unfortunately, during the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, she DID place first. But was disqualified on the account on giving Yamanin Sucre a career ending injury. She didn't win any races after that.
But still, an amazing and very underrated Uma! Daughter of King Halo and absolutely a First-rate Uma!
Vodka: If this list was ordered, She'd be first. She was my first ever Career run in the game (Cuz I thought her name was funny lol) giving me my first ever Career win and B+ Rank! She legitimately made me fall in LOVE with Umamusume as a whole! And her history is quite cool too!
Her name, Vodka, was chosen by her owner because Vodka is the strongest alcoholic drink. But they didn't include the "Tanino" Clan name because it would saturate the drink
Her achievements were pretty amazing too! Becoming the first Mare in 64 years to win the Japanese Derby since the undefeated Kurifuji! And she broke the world record Special Week set at the 1999 Tenno Sho! She won the Tenno Sho at 1:57.2 seconds, with Spe-Chan winning the 1999 Tenno Sho at 1:58 seconds! (Also she beat Daiwa Scarlet at the same race by 2 CENTIMETERS!!)
She then went on to win 3 more G1 races, setting her total of G1 wins by 7 wins! (More then her father's lol) With her also winning the Japan cup by 2 CENTIMETERS AGAIN! (and ofc it was Daiwa Scarlet that lost)
I love her till death!