CygamesThe Royal Bangkok Sports Club is set to stage its first official Umamusume cosplay race, marking a new crossover between anime fandom and live horse racing.
In early August, more than 450 cosplayers kitted out in Umamusume costumes wowed audiences at Thailand’s Queen’s Cup when they were invited onto the turf after the races. Fans posed for photos, cheered from the stands, and even sprinted across the racetrack.
While this Umamusmume-themed moment wasn’t formally part of the race day program, it quickly went viral among the game’s community. However, this month, the Royal Bangkok Sports Club is taking things a step further and finally giving Uma fans what they want: a real-life Umamusume race.
IRL Umamusume race gets underway
RBSC has announced that on September 14, 2025, a 150-meter “Cosplay Racing” sprint will take place immediately after the day’s final race. Competitors will line up at the starting gate and dash down the same grass track as the thoroughbreds, with cash prizes of 3,000 baht ($80) for first place, 2,000 baht ($55) for second, and 1,000 baht ($27) for third.
So, more than enough for a few rolls on the Umamusume’s current Seiun Sky banner, and given our luck on previous banners, we wouldn’t say no to some free Carats!
The upcoming race is certainly an exciting event for Umamusume fans, and demonstrates how Umamusume: Pretty Derby has been influencing real-world horse racing far beyond the game itself.
Royal Bangkok Sports ClubSo far, the franchise has boosted public awareness of once-forgotten racehorses, reviving interest in icons like Haru Urara and Gold Ship. There have also been reports of Uma fans boosting IRL horse racing viewership figures.
Meanwhile, real-world stables and ranch owners have also embraced Umamusume’s impact, with some setting up ways for overseas players to send their favorite horses gifts.
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So, if you’ve always wanted to unleash your inner Uma and run like your life is on the line, then you may want to consider booking a flight out to Thailand.