Haru Urara

Thoroughbred racehorse infobox
horsename = Haru Urara


caption =
sire = Nippo Teio
grandsire = Lypheor
dam = Heroine
damsire = Lucky Sovereign
sex = Mare
foaled = 1996
country = Japan flagicon|Japan
colour = Bay
breeder = Nobuta Bokujo
owner = Nobuta Bokujo
Takao Yokoyama
M A Office
trainer = Dai Muneishi
record = 113: 0-5-7
earnings = 1,129,000 Yen
race = None
awards =
honours =
updated= July 19, 2007

nihongo|Haru Urara|ハルウララ is the name of a Japanese racehorse. The horse gained nationwide popularity in 2003, not due to her success, but rather, due to a long string of consecutive losses.

Haru Urara, a fawn-colored mare, was born on February 27, 1996, on Nobuta Bokujo, Utafue, Mitsuishi, Hokkaido. Unable to find a buyer, the farm began training Haru Urara as a racehorse, under their own ownership.

At her debut, on November 17, 1998 at the Kochi Racetrack, Haru Urara lost, placing fifth—and last. Over the next four-and-a-half years, she would compete once or twice every month, but was unable to obtain a single victory.

In June 2003, after garnering her 80th consecutive loss, the story was picked up by the national Japanese media, making "Haru Urara" a household name. She quickly captured the hearts of the nation, and was called nihongo|"the shining star of losers everywhere"|負け組の星|makegumi no hoshi, for continuing to run with all her heart, despite her seemingly endless losing streak. This incredible surge in popularity was dubbed "The Haru Urara Boom," and news about Haru Urara even reached the international community, being reported in The United States, Canada, Germany and elsewhere.

During the boom, Haru Urara betting tickets began to be used as o-mamori, particularly for protection against traffic accidents: the word nihongo|"ataranai"|当たらない in Japanese can mean both "to lose a bet" and "to avoid being struck," so it was said that a Haru Urara betting ticket—a guaranteed loss—could protect the owner's car from being hit. In Sept. 2003, the Kochi Prefecture Horse Racing Association introduced a service wherein they would stamp the word on any betting ticket related to Haru Urara.

O-mamori were also created from mane and tail hairs that were said to have fallen out during brushing, but production was soon halted, due to concerns expressed by animal welfare groups.

At a race held on March 22, 2004, during the peak of her popularity, more than 13,000 spectators packed the Kochi Racetrack, 3,000 of whom had gathered outside before the gates opened, forcing the track to open 30 minutes earlier than scheduled. Some people waited in line for up to five hours to buy tickets at the "Haru Urara Commemorative Ticket Booth", which was established especially for the event. Fans bet a grand total of ¥121,751,200 on a Haru Urara victory, an impressive sum, particularly for a horse that had not won once in more than 100 attempts. The race ended in disappointment, but not surprise: despite being ridden by Japan's premier jockey, Yutaka Take, Haru Urara earned her 106th consecutive loss, placing 10th among 11 horses running.

Numerous products using Haru Urara's name or image have been produced, including stuffed toys, key rings, mobile phone straps, stickers, stamps, train tickets, rice, shochu, hats, t-shirts and bras. A number of books and songs, as well as a movie, were also written about Haru Urara during the boom period.

Haru Urara has not yet been officially retired, but has not raced since Sept. 2004. She currently maintains a record of 0 wins and 113 losses.

References

Much of the content of this article comes from the equivalent Japanese-language article, accessed on June 28, 2006.

Pedigree

Pedigree
name = Haru Urara
f = Nippo Teio
m = Heroine
ff = Lypheor
fm = Chiyoda Masako
mf = Lucky Sovereign
mm = Peerless Lady
fff = Lyphard
ffm = Klaizia
fmf = Lover John
fmm = Miss O Hayabusa
mff = Nijinsky
mfm = Sovereign
mmf = Tesco Boy
mmm = East Side
ffff = Northern Dancer
fffm = Goofed
ffmf = Sing Sing
ffmm = Klainia
fmff = Damascus
fmfm = Evening Primrose
fmmf = Partholon
fmmm = World Hayabusa
mfff = Northern Dancer
mffm = Flaming Page
mfmf = Pardao
mfmm = Urshalim
mmff = Princely Gift
mmfm = Suncourt
mmmf = Partholon
mmmm = Miss Hakuryu

See also

* Underdog
* Zippy Chippy, America's favorite maiden who retired after his 100th loss. No doubt, he could have gone on to lose more.