@nyoronyoropyon / CygamesFans of Umamusume have helped raise $615,000 USD to support the real-life retirement home of Meisho Doto, one of Japan’s most iconic race horses.
The fundraising effort is supporting Northern Lake, a non-breeding retirement farm in Japan where Meisho Doto now lives. As revealed on the official fundraiser page, the barns are now in urgent need of rebuilding to keep horses like Meisho Doto safe and comfortable.
During the early 2000s, Meisho Doto was a top-level Japanese racehorse, best known for repeatedly finishing second to dominant rival T.M. Opera O. While those results defined his racing career, his gentle nature in retirement helped turn him into a fan favorite.
However, his popularity surged globally thanks to Umamusume: Pretty Derby, the viral horse racing simulator that turns legendary racehorses into anime girls. Thanks to Umamusume, Meisho Doto has become even more famous, an area that has helped with the costly rebuild project.
Umamusume fans help raise $615,000 USD for Meisho Doto
Back in November, Northern Lake staff member Yoshie Sasaki said the response from fans has gone far beyond donations.
“Through this crowdfunding campaign, we received many truly warm comments from everyone, not only about the horses, but also about the comfort and safety of our staff,” she said.
“Hearing the voices of each and every supporter, I began to feel that this challenge could become a kind of hope, not just for Northern Lake, but for retired horse ranches as a whole.”
With donations still coming in, the farm has now set a new stretch goal of 100 million Yen, around $665,000 USD. The proceeds will then be used to improve the stables, as well as to create a better environment for Meisho Doto and his companions.
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Crowdfunding ends on December 22, and over 7,000 supporters have donated towards the campaign.
This isn’t the first time Umamusume fans have rallied behind real racehorses. One of the most well-known examples is when overseas fans sent Haru Urara gifts of ryegrass, while other diehard fans have traveled across Japan to visit racehorse retirement farms linked to Umamusume characters to help fund their retirement.