The Umamusume Wind at Santa Anita Park: Anime Enthusiasm at a Real Racetrack!
California's iconic racetrack Santa Anita Park is preparing to bring fans of the popular anime and game series Umamusume: Pretty Derby together for a unique event. The Cosplay Trackside event, which will be held as part of Japan Family Day, will take place on October 25-26, 2026. This special weekend will offer fans an unforgettable experience by bringing the "horse girls" of the anime world together with the excitement of real racetracks.
Umamusume: Pretty Derby is known as a massive multimedia project created by Japan-based Cygames that transforms legendary real-life racehorses into anthropomorphic characters. In the series, horses that have left their mark on real racing history, such as Special Week, Silence Suzuka, and Gold Ship, appear as "horse girls." These characters not only race on the tracks but also perform as idols in concerts held after the races. With the anime series that began in 2018 and the mobile game released in 2021 (globally in June 2025), the brand has turned into a multi-billion dollar phenomenon worldwide.
Cygames has been pursuing an aggressive global strategy in recent years to build a bridge between the anime world and the real horse racing industry. The company has made a name for itself by sponsoring some of the world's most prestigious races, such as the Kentucky Derby in the US and the Grand Prix de Paris in France. The collaboration with Santa Anita Park is also an important part of this strategy. The American Oaks presented by Cygames race, held in previous periods, allowed anime fans to fill the stands to support real horses and even contribute to funds for retired racehorses.
