The Ultimate Lock In
Mostly an OOC lore drop in explanation format, but you can react in character.
For those who are at least keeping up with Japanese horse racing, you are probably aware of the fact that Calandagan is currently considered the best mid distance (2000m to 2400m) turf horse in the world right now, having recently set the world record in the Japan Cup.
What you might not know is that Calandagan actually used to be REALLY similar to Masquerade Ball personality wise, having very similar temperamental issues as Masquerade Ball does. IRL they even threw their jockey off twice.
While IRL, this would be dealt with immediately after becoming a gelding, the Umamusume's (my) portrayal has these issues persist until after she's defeated by Jan Brueghel in the Coronation Cup. Even before that, she'd get a 2nd place at every G1 she would race.
After this and another crash out, she cleans herself up, starts to humble herself a bit, and learns to have better mannerisms while also starting to study her opponents very thoroughly. This is the Calandagan you see now.
Since this race, she defeats many notable opponents and goes on a winning streak in a plethora of G1s:
Aventure in the Prix De Saint Cloud: Has a G1 to their name (Prix Vermeille) as well as 2nd in the 2024 L'arc.
Goliath in the Prix De Saint Cloud: 2 G1 wins plus has defeated Rebel's Romance before (An Uma who has 9 G1 wins)
Kalpana in the King George IV & Queen Elizabeth Stakes: 2 G1 wins with both being in the same race.
Rebel's Romance in the King George IV & Queen Elizabeth Stakes: 9 G1 wins while beating out a bunch of JP umas, IRL horses, including Shahryar, Liberty Island, Rousham Park, Justin Palace, and Stars on Earth. Very acclaimed achievement wise, and arguably the best opponent Calandagan has beaten out.
Jan Brueghel in the King George IV & Queen Elizabeth Stakes: The one to defeat Calandagan in the Coronation Cup and also has another G1 win on top of that.
Ombudsman in the Qipco Champion Stakes: The arguably 2nd best in Europe currently having defeated Daryz (the 2025 L'arc winner), Delacroix (will touch upon in a second), and Danon Decile (You already know Decile, Sheema Classic + Derby winner) in the Juddmonte International Stakes.
Delacroix in the Qipco Champion Stakes: 2 G1 wins including winning against Ombudsman, Royal Champion (Won the G1 Neom Turf Cup), and Anmaat (Another who had defeated Calandagan before their lock in).
Masquerade Ball in the Japan Cup: Autumn Tenno Sho winner and is considered to be arguably the best in Japan currently. Also is just Calandagan 2.0 + the temper issues.
Croix Du Nord in the Japan Cup: 3 G1 wins including the Hopeful Stakes, Japanese Derby, and now Osaka Hai, having defeated Masquerade Ball, Museum Mile, Danon Decile, and Meisho Tabaru before.
Danon Decile in the Japan Cup: Has defeated Calandagan before in the Sheema Classic, and also has won the Derby.
Tastiera in the Japan Cup: 2023 Derby winner as well as having won the 2025 HK QE2 Cup.
Ethical Diamond in the Sheema Classic: Breeder's Cup Turf winner having defeated both Rebel's Romance AND Minnie Hauk (2nd in the 2025 L'arc while also having 3 G1 wins).
Arguably one of the biggest lock ins ever, and the horse IRL is STILL going strong. So this list could get even bigger for the Uma herself. Plus there are others you could consider "notable".
And another fun fact... she's pretty short.