One of the real-world racehorses that inspired a character in Umamusume: Pretty Derby has passed away, leaving behind a successful career as a well-respected champion. The horse-racing simulation featuring anthropomorphized depictions of famous race horses has been a smash hit with fans since the game's global version release in late June. Umamusume: Pretty Derby's Steam launch quickly attracted tens of thousands of players, even surpassing other notable Steam releases like Persona 5: The Phantom X. Now, the game's community is mourning one of the racehorses that inspired a fan-favorite character.

Cygames officially announced the passing late last week of one of the real-world horses that influenced the creation of the game character, Grass Wonder. The horse was reported to have passed away on Friday, August 8. Cygames expressed its condolences to the many staff members who cared for Grass Wonder, who last raced professionally in 2000. Grass Wonder was considered part of the ‘Golden Generation’ in Japanese horse-racing, alongside other renowned horses within Umamusume, including Special Week, Seiun Sky, and El Condor Pasa.

Grass Wonder leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a premier Japanese racehorse, which is commemorated in Umamusume. He won four different Grade 1 races during his career, including back-to-back victories at the Arima Kinen in 1998 and 1999. The real-world Grass Wonder celebrated his thirtieth birthday earlier this year in February.

The impact of Grass Wonder’s passing on Umamusume and its community will likely be significant. The in-game version of Grass Wonder played a crucial role in the anime’s first season and is a two-star Trainee within the mobile game. Moreover, players can expect to see alternate versions of the character introduced in future updates, as the Japanese client has been given variants like ‘Fantasy’ and ‘New Year’s’ editions. Fans of Umamusume will undoubtedly find ample opportunities to honor Grass Wonder’s legacy both now and in the future.