Run Wild: Sexy Umamusume Cosplay That’s Hard to Rein In!

Oh, you thought turning World War II-era battleships into sexy anime girls was the peak of Japanese creativity? Dear reader, there is nothing that cannot be transformed by the moe-moe beam of anime-ification. Case in point: the horse girls of Umamusume that are modeled on real-world race horses. And what would a discussion about waifus be without cosplay — specifically, cosplay of Umamusume‘s horse girls?

Join us today on J-List as we explore the world of Umamusume through cosplay and learn a little more about these horse girls and their real-life counterparts along the way!

Getting Started with Umamusume Cosplay

Where do you start with such a massive series like Umamusume: Pretty Derby?

A juggernaut worthy of the racing industry it collaborates with, Umamusume: Pretty Derby is a multimedia franchise encompassing multiple anime projects, video games, and even live concerts. Created by CyGames, the horse girls in Umamusume take the place of real horses on the race tracks, and also seek fame as both racers and idols (because why not).

You can get started with Umamusume: Pretty Derby on Steam, Apple, or Android. The game just received its long-awaited global version in June 2025, so it’s the perfect time to start building up your stable of horse girls. Alternatively, you could dive right into the phenomenally produced anime, which has three seasons and numerous spin-offs and films!

You can also start your physical collection thanks to J-List, with our store’s range of Umamusume products, including the Symboli Rudolf Nendoroid, now available for pre-order!

Maruzensky: The Grandsire of Umamusume Cosplay

One of the most popular Umamusume characters to receive cosplay is Maruzensky. She’s the strongest horse girl on the track, known by the nicknames “Supercar” or “Monster.” She appears in both the first anime series and Cinderella Gray. In real life, Maruzensky was a stallion who dominated racing in the late 1970s, winning all eight races he entered. Maruzensky retired at four years old, with a career mostly spent in two- and three-year-old events.

In-game, Maruzensky has a sisterly demeanor and speaks in outdated slang from the ’60s through to the ’90s, representing her origins as one of Pretty Derby’s first horses from the 1970s. Let’s enjoy these Umamusume cosplays, featuring Maruzensky the horse girl, including her stunning bikini version!

Rice Shower: The Prettiest Umamusume Cosplay

With Maruzensky as a maternal grandfather, Rice Shower took to the track with high hopes in the early 1990s. Despite a shaky performance, Rice Shower would soon earn love, especially in and around Kobe. After the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake, Rice Shower claimed victory at the 1995 Tenno Sho Spring, which was seen as a source of inspiration for those recovering from the disaster.

Rice Shower wasn’t always beloved, though. His victory over Mihono Bourbon earned him the infamous title “Black Assassin.” In Umamusume: Pretty Derby, Rice Shower and Mihono Bourbon are instead best friends with a cheerful rivalry. In both the game and anime, Rice Shower’s tragic demise at just 6 years of age is replaced by a bittersweet 2-episode arc about overcoming the odds.

From cat-girl onaholes to all the monster-loving doujinshi you could ever want, the J-List store has you covered with an incredible range of monster musume / demi-human products.

Gold Ship: Umamusume Cosplay Goldmine!

Characterized in Umamusume as a mischievous and eccentric prankster, the ever-popular stallion Gold Ship started racing in the 2010s. Among incidents where Gold Ship tried to kick other horses he seemingly hated, he even attempted to intimidate a rival horse by growling before a race — a noise rarely made by a racing horse.

Running 28 times for 13 wins, for some gamblers, Gold Ship is remembered infamously by the “12 Billion Yen Incident.” During the 2015 Takarazuka Kinen, Gold Ship was tipped to place first, but in a characteristically eccentric moment, reared in the gates. He ultimately placed 15th out of sixteen, losing a staggering 12.1 billion yen in wagers (roughly $82 million in USD).

Haru Urara: Our Most Beloved Horse Girl

You knew it was coming, didn’t you? How could any article about Umamusume not talk about one of the most beloved horses — and horse girls — of all time?

Beloved by both horse enthusiasts and gamers, Haru Urara was known for her seemingly boundless optimism and positivity. After entering a staggering 113 races and never winning a single one, Haru Urara became a national sensation as a symbol of perseverance and tenacity. 

In July 2025, after a boom in popularity thanks to Umamusume, a website was created where fans could donate ryegrass to Haru Urara; the site became so popular that it crashed due to the demand. It warms our hearts to think that Haru Urara knew she was loved by her fans, because just a few short months later, in September 2025, Haru Urara fell ill and died at the age of 29.

To Haru Urara, “the shining star of losers everywhere” — wherever good horses go when they die — we hope you have big fields and all the grass you could ever want to eat.

Thanks for reading this article about Umamusume cosplay. Are you a fan of real-life racing or the digital horse girl equivalent? Let us know in the comments!

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