Fans flocking to real-life racehorse ranches has prompted a reminder from Umamusume: Pretty Derby devs to respect the space of the horses.
Cygames, the developer behind Umamusume: Pretty Derby has issued an official statement urging fans to follow proper etiquette when visiting real-life horse ranches in Japan, after reports surfaced of visitors trespassing on private property and taking unauthorised photos.
Developers respond to fan visits disrupting real horse ranches
In a statement posted on the game’s official website, Cygames reminded players that ranches are “precious places of life” and that racehorses are highly sensitive animals. “Horses are very sensitive creatures and can become startled or stressed by small things,” the post reads. “Everyone at the ranch pours their heart and soul into caring for them every day.”
To avoid disrupting ranch operations or causing stress to the horses, Cygames strongly advises fans to consult the Racehorse Hometown Information Center for official tour information.
They also emphasise that fans should not contact individual ranches directly, as this can interfere with staff schedules and daily care routines.
The reminder follows a report by Automaton highlighting that some enthusiastic visitors have crossed boundaries during their visits to stables linked to the game’s characters. These incidents prompted the team behind Umamusume to release guidelines to help protect both the animals and those caring for them.
The official English-language Umamusume X (formerly Twitter) account also shared the announcement, reiterating that respectful behaviour is essential when engaging with the real-world side of the game.
This follows a recent surge in attention towards the real-life horses the game's characters were based on, like Haru Urara, Japan’s most famous winless racehorse.
Umamusume: Pretty Derby is a hugely popular mobile and PC title in which players train and race anime-style “horse girls” based on real Japanese racehorses. From cult favourites like Haru Urara to champions like Gold Ship, the game pays homage to Japan’s rich horse racing history while blending it with idol simulation and high-speed racing gameplay.
Originally released in Japan in 2021, the game finally launched globally in English on 26 June, 2025, for Steam, iOS, and Android. The game’s global popularity has surged, with millions of players logging in worldwide and popular streamers like Ludwig and Northernlion helping introduce it to wider audiences. As interest grows, real-life ranches connected to the game’s characters have seen a rise in visitors hoping to experience the origins of their favourite horses.
While passion for the game is welcomed, Cygames hopes fans will continue to show appreciation by respecting the ranches, the horses, and the people who care for them daily.
