TOKYO, March 23 (UPI) -- A racing horse at a local track, which has never won a race in her 105 attempts, won hearts of many derby fans in Japan on Monday.
Called "Haru Urara" (Balmy Spring), the 8-year-old female horse has been breaking a world record of no wins since she began racing six years ago at the Kochi Horse Racing Track on the Shikoku Island, the smallest of the four main islands that make up the Japan archipelago.
Although she reached the second position in four races, it was her stubborn running style even in a miserable defeat that brought her nationwide attention.
Initially thanks to desperate advertising ploy by the Kochi Racing Track, Haru Urara ended up achieving much more than expectated. At the age of retirement, she not only helped the track out of management crisis but also inspired a book and a CD of chorale music, both selling very well. A movie is also being made.
On Monday when Japan's foremost jockey, Yutaka Take, rode the Haru Urara in view of 13,000 spectators, Haru Urara crossed the goal line ahead of the last. Nonetheless, fully-packed fans applauded the horse for her unending pursuit for the victory. Maybe, they were cheering themselves up, hoping for their own balmy spring.
