Nakayama Festa, Takarazuka Kinen Winner and Umamusume Character Has Passed

Nakayama Festa, the winner of the 2010 Takarazuka Kinen and the inspiration for an Umamusume character, has passed away. The stallion was 20 years old. Earlier this month, Urakawa Yushun Village AERU(a retirement farm for racehorses) announced through its X account that Nakayama Festa was ill. The former racehorse’s health continued to decline, and by August 22, he could not stand. After veterinarians examined the stallion, they concluded that there was nothing they could do. The former champion died surrounded by staff and caretakers on August 23.

In their post, Urakawa Yushun Village AERU thanked everyone who supported Nakayama Festa throughout his career until his death. The farm also asked the public to refrain from making enquiries and stated they would inform supporters and fans about future flower laying.

Umamusume: Pretty Derby‘s global account offered their condolences to “all the staff involved in Nakayama Festa’s care”.

Nakayama Festa and Umamusume: Pretty Derby

Nakayama Festa was born on April 5, 2006, to Stay Gold (sire) and Dear Wink (dam). The stallion trained at the Miho Training Centre and made his debut race at Tokyo Racecourse. His racing career includes 5 wins out of 15 starts. His most significant victory came in the 2010 Takarazuka Kinen (G1), but he is perhaps best known for ^{finishing second} at the 2010 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. In that race, he narrowly missed victory by a neck, marking the closest any Japanese racehorse has come to winning the prestigious race.

Shino Shimoji voices Nakayama Festa in the Umamusume: Pretty Derby franchise. The game depicts her as a thrill-seeking gambling addict who regularly pals around with Gold Ship. The stallion is the 3rd Umamusume: Pretty Derby horse to pass in 2026, and the 5th in the last year.

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Source: Urakawa Yushun Village AERU X Account
Cover Image ©Hatomizinko
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