The newest entry to Umamusume: Pretty Derby’s main story will be available on 22 January.
Umamusume: Pretty Derby has unveiled the main trailer for the upcoming fifth update to its Main Story, entitled “Scenery”. It focuses on one of the game's trainees, Silence Suzuka.
This marks the third Main Story update for the game since its global release back in June 2025. The game was initially released with two Main Story chapters for Mejiro Mcqueen and Rice Shower, and was later on followed by a chapter for Winning Ticket in August, and Narita Brian in October.
Who is Silence Suzuka?
Silence Suzuka is part of the introductory cast of characters in Umamusume: Pretty Derby. Remembered for her “otherworldly” frontrunning, as well as her friendship with the franchise’s mascot, Special Week, and their fellow team members, Silence Suzuka has cemented herself as a formidable and lovable runner in the game and its various anime instalments.
But like with all the other umamusume in the game, Silence Suzuka is based on the real life Japanese thoroughbred racehorse of the same name, who ran on Japanese turf in the late 1990s.
A progeny of the legendary leading sire Sunday Silence, Silence Suzuka was a chestnut-coloured stallion who began his running career in 1997 at three years old, albeit on a rather rough note. However, tactical changes to his running style, which would later evolve to his signature frontrunning (called “Runaway”), and distance choices saw him gain much success in his four-year old season in 1998.
Silence Suzuka is remembered for his incredible speed on the turf, easily breaking away from the pack to lead at a considerable distance, and he was shaping up to be a promising, record-breaking horse with a number of Grade 1 race wins under his saddle. However, a tragic incident during the 1 November, 1998 Autumn Tenno Sho dashed his future, leading to him sadly being euthanised due to a comminuted fracture of the left carpal bone–an injury that was as devastating as it was fatal.
The incident happened when Silence Suzuka, who was being ridden by star jockey Yutaka Take, was leading the pack by approximately 15 lengths. Near the fourth and final corner of the track, the horse visibly began to slow down and stagger, veering away from the incoming runners towards the railing before coming to a complete stop. Yutaka Take jumped down from the saddle in concern, as officials came to assess the situation. Take would try to comfort a clearly distressed Silence Suzuka as they figured out what went wrong.
Take and Silence Suzuka were transferred to an animal ambulance, where doctors discovered the fracture. The extent of the injury was too severe to assure a recovery and life without difficulty, and so the heartbreaking decision was made.
The injury that led to Silence Suzuka’s death came as a tragic surprise to his owner, trainer, jockeys, and the fans who had supported his career. Various anecdotes regarding the incident state that, as there were no clear indicators as to what could have caused the fracture, his body simply could not keep up with the speed and power that the horse was known for.
1 November is now known by Japanese horseracing fans as “Silent Sunday”, and many still take a few minutes of quiet contemplation, remembering the horse whose full, overwhelming potential never really got the chance to shine.
“Scenery”: Silence Suzuka’s story retold
Longtime fans of Umamusume: Pretty Derby who have consumed its anime counterpart, particularly the first season of the mainline Umamusume: Pretty Derby anime adaptation, where she starred as co-protagonist to Special Week, may already know the gist of the upcoming Main Story Chapter 5 update, but it doesn’t make it any less achingly bittersweet.
In the world of Umamusume, Silence Suzuka is a reserved, stoic girl whose only desire is to chase the breathtaking scenery that can only be seen by the one leading the pack. Due to her all-consuming passion, others around her view her from an arm’s length, and she ends up being more glorified and revered than understood.
However, Chapter 5 will take on a different perspective from the anime, in which you, the player, will now come face-to-face with Silence Suzuka as her one and only trainer. Concerned about how she may be pushing herself too far, you try to understand her point-of-view, and try to support her in the challenges she will face–and yes, the “Silent Sunday” incident will happen.
This time around, however, Silence Suzuka will have a chance to make her dreams come true.
