July 10 (UPI) -- A retired Japanese racehorse famous for never winning a race is experiencing a new surge of popularity thanks to a popular mobile game.
Haru Urara, a 29-year-old mare who retired from racing in 2004, served as the inspiration for a character of the same name in the mobile game Uma Musume Pretty Derby, which launched globally June 26.
The real-life Haru Urara, famous for wearing a Hello Kitty mask and losing every one of her 113 races, became a national icon during her ill-fated career, with fans considering her to be an inspirational figure who never gives up.
The mobile game features anime-style, human-like characters with horse ears and tails engaging in track races.
The fictional Haru Urara character's bio states: "She's always smiling, no matter how many times she loses. She always tries her best and looks on the brighter side of things."
