Predictions and Summaries of the Real-Life Racehorses That Inspired Characters in the Anime "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray"

"Umamusume: Cinderella Gray" is a TV anime set to air in Spring 2025. It adapts the manga of the same name, currently serialized in "Weekly Young Jump," which has surpassed eight million copies in total circulation.

This article summarizes predictions about the real-life racehorses that may have served as models for the characters appearing in "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray."

In the "Umamusume: Pretty Derby" series, the horse girls (Umamusume) are based on actual historical racehorses. However, for "Cinderella Gray," aside from those Umamusume who share names with historical racehorses, the official models for other characters have not been disclosed. Please note that the contents of this article are speculative and based on predictions and discussions found across the internet.

Story of the Anime "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray"

Oguri Cap, a horse girl, enrolls in the Kasamatsu Training Center Academy. Right after enrolling, Oguri Cap displays her unique, flexible running style, drawing the attention of in-house trainer Jo Kitahara, who scouts her to join his team and participate in races.

While receiving guidance from Kitahara, Oguri Cap enters various races, and this story follows how the “ash-covered” girl known as the “Monster” engraves her legend.

This anime adaptation is part of the cross-media content project "Umamusume," developed from the manga currently serialized in "Weekly Young Jump" (art by Taiyo Kuzumi, script by Masafumi Sugiura & Pita, manga planning/composition by Junnosuke Ito, original work by Cygames).

Is the Anime "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray" Based on Historical Events? What Is the Time Period Setting?

"Umamusume: Cinderella Gray" centers on Oguri Cap, whose character has been revealed to be modeled after the real historical racehorse of the same name.

Junnosuke Ito, the manga’s planning/composition supervisor, commented that this work is a fictional story depicting the real-life tale of Oguri Cap within the "Umamusume" universe. In an interview, he stated, "It's generally according to the real facts."

What Is the Time Period Setting in the Story?

In the afterword of Volume 1, Ito explained that if they set the story in the exact years Oguri Cap was active, it would reduce relatability for a Reiwa generation seinen manga. Therefore, he deliberately keeps the setting ambiguous ("fuzzy").

Nevertheless, depicting Oguri Cap’s story requires certain period-specific elements. Ito commented that he imagines the world to be set somewhere between 1987–1990 (Oguri Cap's racing years) and 1998–1999 (the setting for Season 1 of the "Umamusume: Pretty Derby" anime), yet not belonging to either of those points in time.

Are the Appearing Characters Modeled on Real-Life Figures?

The Umamusume appearing in the "Umamusume: Pretty Derby" game and anime are modeled after celebrated racehorses carrying the same names. However, for the Umamusume who make their debut in "Cinderella Gray," there are no characters directly named after real racehorses.

Since the story of "Cinderella Gray" is explicitly based on the real tale of Oguri Cap, many fans speculate that even the new Umamusume introduced in the manga must have had real-life racehorse inspirations.

In this section, aside from Oguri Cap, we summarize the rumored real-life racehorses and people who are said—mainly online—to have inspired the original characters who debuted in "Cinderella Gray."

Oguri Cap

Oguri Cap is a Umamusume modeled after the real racehorse of the same name. The racing Oguri Cap is famously regarded as one of the most beloved horses in Japanese racing history. Debuting at Kasamatsu Racecourse in 1987, Oguri Cap posted a record of 10 wins in 12 races before transferring to Japan Central Racing.

He then won numerous major races, earning nicknames like "Monster" and "The Grey Monster," and became a leading figure in the racing boom. At his retirement race, the Arima Kinen on December 23, 1990, Oguri Cap won first place, and the entire racecourse erupted in a cheer called "Ooguri Call."

In Episode 1 of the anime, Oguri Cap ends up sleeping in a storage shed. The next day, when speaking to Berno Light, she says it was "very comfortable" and the word "Hatsuratsu" ("lively" or "sprightly") appears in a subtitle. Oguri Cap’s foal name at birth was actually "Hatsuratsu" in real life, so this is likely a direct reference.

Berno Light

Berno Light is an Umamusume introduced in "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray," and the real-life racehorse that may have inspired her has not been identified.

While there is a similarly named horse called Berno Try that raced mainly in Kanazawa from 2014 to 2016, the real Oguri Cap was active from 1987 to 1990. Hence, Berno Try is unlikely to be Berno Light's model.

Among fans, it is theorized that Twin Bee, a horse that raced at Kasamatsu during the same era as Oguri Cap, might be the model. Berno Light wears hair accessories resembling the letter "B" twice, leading to the idea that "double B" refers to "Twin Bee." The real Twin Bee debuted in October 1987 and retired in October 1990.

Jo Kitahara

Though not officially confirmed, fans also speculate that the human characters such as trainers may have real-life counterparts. For Kitahara, it is often said his model might be Katsumi Ando (a former jockey) or Yutaka Take (a present-day jockey).

Ando debuted at Kasamatsu at age 16, was the main rider for Oguri Cap there, and in 2003, became the first jockey to transfer from regional racing to JRA (the Japan Racing Association).

Take debuted in 1987 and still races today. At Oguri Cap's retirement Arima Kinen in 1990, he was Oguri Cap’s jockey.

Some fans also believe Kitahara is modeled on multiple real figures involved with Oguri Cap, such as original owner Koichi Oguri or Kasamatsu trainer Masao Sumi, rather than one person.

Fujimasa March

The real-life horse model for Fujimasa March is not revealed, but many fans think March Toshō, who was Oguri Cap’s rival during his Kasamatsu years, is the inspiration.

March Toshō debuted at Kasamatsu on the same day as Oguri Cap, even defeating Oguri in their debut race—one of several similarities with Fujimasa March.

When Oguri Cap left Kasamatsu in "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray," Fujimasa March declared, "I'll keep running and stand here on this track longer than you!" In real life, March Toshō continued racing for over a year after Oguri Cap retired.

Norn Ace, Rudy Lemono, Mini the Lady

Norn Ace, Rudy Lemono, and Mini the Lady harassed Oguri Cap in Episode 1. Taiyo Kuzumi, the artist for "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray," has stated on social media that there are no racehorse models for these bully characters.

Given that the title "Cinderella Gray" references Cinderella, some fans speculate these Umamusume are designed after the mean stepsisters from the original fairy tale.

Opening Scene of Episode 1: Monochrome Umamusume

In the anime’s first episode, several Umamusume are portrayed in monochrome. Among them, the Umamusume surrounded by four men with raised arms is rumored to be based on Shinzan.

Shinzan won the Satsuki Sho, Japanese Derby, and Kikuka Sho in 1964, becoming the second Triple Crown winner in Japanese racing history, and was called "Five-Crown Horse" after also winning the Arima Kinen and Tenno Sho (Autumn) in 1965.

The monochrome race at the start of Episode 1 is said to be modeled after the 1965 Arima Kinen, which Shinzan won. After the Arima Kinen in real life, Shinzan was escorted by several men at the awards ceremony, similar to how the Umamusume and men are depicted with raised hands in the scene, a similarity noted by fans online.

Opening Scene of Episode 1: Race-Running Umamusume

After the monochrome Umamusume, there is a race scene featuring Maruzensky, Mr. C.B., and Symboli Rudolf. Fans suggest that the race scene just before these three are shown was modeled after the 1977 Arima Kinen.

In the 1977 Arima Kinen, the horse known as "The Meteor Prince," Ten Point, secured victory. Thus, it's speculated that the Umamusume leading the race in the anime is inspired by Ten Point.

Merry Beauty, Luna Swallow

Merry Beauty and Luna Swallow are Umamusume who raced in the Japan Derby viewed by Kitahara in Episode 1. Luna Swallow took the lead at the fourth corner, but in the end, Merry Beauty won.

The race depicted in Episode 1 is rumored to be inspired by the 1987 Japan Derby, which was Oguri Cap's debut year.

In the 1987 Japan Derby, Mejiro Nice placed first and Sunny Swallow placed second. Due to the name similarities, Merry Beauty is thought to be inspired by Mejiro Nice and Luna Swallow by Sunny Swallow.

South Heroine

South Heroine is an Umamusume who led early in Oguri Cap's debut race, eventually finishing third.

Oguri Cap, in real life, debuted in a race called "Sarabred 3-Year-Old Newcomers" at Kasamatsu; the real horse who placed third in that race was North Hero.

If South Heroine is based on North Hero, it's conceivable her name came from switching "North" to "South" and "Hero" to "Heroine."

Walk Dancer

Walk Dancer is the Umamusume who collided with Oguri Cap at the third corner in her debut race.

A horse called Lead Walk, with a similar name, competed in Oguri Cap's real debut race, so Walk Dancer is probably modeled after Lead Walk.

Other Umamusume in the Debut Race

Names of Umamusume racing in the debut event, besides Fujimasa March, South Heroine, and Walk Dancer, are listed in a bonus page in Manga Volume 1.

Other racing Umamusume: Sekai Touha, Bete Sugar, Joy Maker, Ultra Ichiban, Okan Maker, Royal Cherry.

Each has a similar-named real racehorse that also ran in Oguri Cap’s debut. If each is modeled on a real horse, the mapping could be as follows:
"Sekai Touha" → "Nippon Seiha"
"Bete Sugar" → "Benten Chateau"
"Joy Maker" → "Fate Joy"
"Ultra Ichiban" → "Super Ichiban"
"Okan Maker" → "Fate Okan"
"Royal Cherry" → "Cherry Road"

Umamusume Who Raced in the Junior Crown

Umamusume who raced in the 15th Junior Crown have names similar to real racehorses from the actual Junior Crown in which Oguri Cap participated. Possible mappings:
"Ten Zan Turf" → "Yamani Ten Zan"
"Ever Ever" → "Misato Never"
"Fujitaka Plant" → "Win Pront"
"Dragon Maker" → "Tomishino Shenron"
"Jet Maker" → "Fate Jet"
"Nanto Ichiban" → "Hokusei Ichiban"

The horse "Misato Never" likely inspired "Ever Ever," with "Eva" possibly referencing "Neon Genesis Evangelion"'s Misato Katsuragi. Likewise, "Tomishino Shenron," referencing "Shenron" from "Dragon Ball," could be the source for "Dragon Maker."

Ginjiro Musaka

Ginjiro Musaka is Kitahara’s uncle and Oguri Cap’s trainer after her transfer to central racing.

His model has not been officially disclosed. When Oguri Cap transferred to central racing in real life, she entered trainer Tsutomu Setoguchi’s stable. Many fans thus speculate Musaka may be based on Setoguchi.

Black Ale

A classmate of Oguri Cap, Black Ale expresses a dismissive attitude about Oguri Cap’s achievements at Kasamatsu, saying, "Country sand play doesn’t count," prompting Oguri Cap to reply, "That sand’s called dirt—it’s for racing, not playing." This creates a rivalry.

In her central racing debut at Pegasus Stakes, Black Ale is defeated by Oguri Cap.

In the actual Pegasus Stakes, Oguri Cap won, and the real runner-up was Lager Black. Hence, Black Ale is thought to be based on Lager Black.

Dicta Striker

Dicta Striker is a classmate of Oguri Cap with chestnut hair and a hood.

Though no official model is confirmed, fans suspect soccer colt Soccer Boy could be the inspiration. Soccer Boy's sire was named Dictus, and "Striker" is a soccer term for a scorer—so Dictus plus "Striker" forms Dicta Striker.

Soccer Boy earned ¥219.4 million in central racing and is known as the sire of popular horses like Narita Top Road and Kyoto City.

Meikun Tsukasa

Meikun Tsukasa is a senior Umamusume in Musaka’s team, known for her energetic and studious character.

When Oguri Cap moved to central racing, she entered Setoguchi’s stable in real life. Among fans, it’s speculated Meikun Tsukasa is modeled on either Tsukasa Power or Meisho Samson—both horses in Setoguchi’s stable—or a combination of the two.

Kraft Univer

Kraft Univer is a senior Umamusume on Musaka’s team, distinguishable by her hair-covering eyes.

Like Meikun Tsukasa, Kraft Univer may be inspired by Neo Universe and Rhine Craft (both in Setoguchi’s stable), or a combination. Note: Neo Universe (born 2000) and Line Craft (born 2002) were foaled after Oguri Cap’s active years.

Both Neo Universe and Line Craft appear as Umamusume with their original names in the "Umamusume: Pretty Derby" game.

God Hannibal

God Hannibal is another Musaka team senior Umamusume, mysterious but occasionally unreliable.

She might be modeled on God Speed and Maruka Hannibal, both in Setoguchi’s stable. Her name combines "God" (from God Speed) and "Hannibal" (from Maruka Hannibal).

Akitsu Teio

Akitsu Teio is a senior Umamusume renowned as the "Mile Emperor," who raced in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1). Though a favorite, she lost to Tamamo Cross.

In the real Takarazuka Kinen raced by Tamamo Cross, the runner-up was Nippo Teio. The similar names suggest Akitsu Teio is inspired by Nippo Teio.

Masami Komiyama

Masami Komiyama is Tamamo Cross’s female trainer.

Her real-life inspiration is unconfirmed, but due to the similarity of names, fans believe Isami Obara (Tamamo Cross’s actual trainer) is her likely model.

Dynam Heroine

Known as the "Lady on Stage," Dynam Heroine has two G2 wins and a second-place finish at Yasuda Kinen (G1). Based on her achievements and name, she is rumored online to be modeled after Dyna Actress.

Summary

Umamusume such as Oguri Cap and Tamamo Cross, who also appear in "Umamusume: Pretty Derby," are directly based on racehorses of the same name.

However, for original characters who first appeared in "Umamusume: Cinderella Gray," it remains unclear whether their prototypes are based on real-life racehorses or trainers. There are many online posts attempting to predict their models using information like the races Oguri Cap competed in.

（C）久住太陽・杉浦理史＆Pita・伊藤隼之介／集英社・ウマ娘 シンデレラグレイ製作委員会
（C） Cygames, Inc.

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