In a heartwarming display of solidarity that bridges the gap between virtual entertainment and real-world impact, the global Umamusume community has come together to support Northern Lake Farm in Japan—the retirement home of one of their most beloved characters’ real-life inspiration, the legendary racehorse Meisho Doto.
A Race Against Time
Northern Lake Farm, nestled in Hokkaido’s Niikappu town, launched a crowdfunding campaign on the Japanese platform Readyfor to construct a new stable facility. The aging infrastructure of their current stables had become a growing concern for the welfare of the retired racehorses under their care. The campaign’s goal was to raise funds that would allow these champion horses—who had given everything on the track—to live out their golden years in safety and comfort.
The timing of the campaign couldn’t have been more serendipitous. Just as Northern Lake Farm announced their fundraising efforts in late October 2025, the English version of Umamusume: Pretty Derby released Meisho Doto as a playable character on October 21, introducing her to a massive new international audience.
What is Umamusume: Pretty Derby?
For the uninitiated, Umamusume: Pretty Derby is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by Cygames that has taken the gaming world by storm. The franchise centers on anthropomorphized racehorses known as “Umamusume” (literally “horse girls”)—characters with horse ears and tails who compete in races inspired by real-life racetracks managed by the Japan Racing Association.
The game is a unique blend of sports simulation and visual novel, where players take on the role of trainers who raise and train these Umamusume to compete in races. What makes the franchise particularly special is that most characters are named after and modeled on actual racehorses, reflecting their namesakes’ personalities, racing records, and relationships with other horses.
Released in Japan in February 2021, the game became a cultural phenomenon. Its global release in June 2025 brought the experience to international audiences, quickly accumulating over 25,000 overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam alone. The franchise has expanded to include multiple anime series, manga adaptations, and live concerts, creating a passionate fanbase that deeply connects with both the fictional characters and the real horses that inspired them.
Meet Meisho Doto: The Loveable Underdog
In the world of Umamusume, Meisho Doto is instantly recognizable—a character who embodies resilience wrapped in an endearing package of clumsiness and determination. With her distinctive drooping horse ears, purple eyes with swirling pupils, and a large white patch in her brown hair, she cuts an unforgettable figure on the racetrack.
But it’s her personality that has captured hearts worldwide. Meisho Doto is portrayed as a pessimist with low self-esteem who describes herself as clumsy and unlucky. Things never seem to go quite right for this awkward girl. Yet despite her self-doubt, she refuses to give up. She’s determined to change herself for the better and secure a brighter future, even when the odds seem stacked against her. Her character deeply admires T.M. Opera O’s grandiose self-confidence—a touching detail that reflects the real racehorse’s competitive history.
This characterization isn’t arbitrary—it mirrors the real Meisho Doto’s racing career. The actual racehorse was a champion who lived in the shadow of his legendary rival, T.M. Opera O. Despite being an exceptional runner, Meisho Doto placed second to T.M. Opera O five consecutive times before finally securing his first G1 victory at the Takarazuka Kinen in 2001. It was a David and Goliath story that resonated deeply with fans—the faithful challenger who never stopped trying.
The game and anime faithfully capture these dynamics, showing Meisho Doto and T.M. Opera O as rivals but also showcasing her determination to overcome her challenges. Her story is one of perseverance in the face of adversity, making her an incredibly relatable and beloved character.
The Perfect Friendship: Doto and Meto
Adding another layer of charm to Meisho Doto’s story is her friendship with Meto, Northern Lake Farm’s famous resident cat. In the Umamusume franchise, Meisho Doto is often depicted with various animals, a detail based on the real horse’s gentle nature and his actual friendships with farm animals during retirement.
Meto, a brown and white cat who became the farm’s unofficial mascot, captured the internet’s heart through viral videos showing the cat riding on Meisho Doto’s back—a testament to the gentle giant’s patient temperament. This unlikely duo became symbols of the peaceful retirement life that Northern Lake Farm provides. Their friendship transcended species and touched fans worldwide, appearing in the game’s stories and animations.
The bond between Doto and Meto represents everything the farm stands for: a peaceful sanctuary where retired champions can form new friendships and enjoy simple pleasures after years of intense competition. It’s this image of tranquility and care that makes the farm’s mission so meaningful to fans.
A Global Community Answers the Call
When news of Northern Lake Farm’s fundraising campaign spread through the Umamusume community, the response was immediate and overwhelming. International fans, many of whom had just been introduced to Meisho Doto through the English game release, flooded the crowdfunding page with donations and messages of support.
Comments on the campaign page tell a story of genuine affection spanning continents:
“For Meisho Doto, friends and Northern Lake Farm’s staff. Thank you for taking care of the animals. Sending all the love and well wishes to everyone from Finland!”
“Instead of spending money to get Meisho Doto in Umamusume, I used it to support the real Doto instead!”
“Thanks everyone at Northern Lake, for taking care of retired horses! I hope everything goes smoothly at your end, and the horses and the cats will have their new stable soon. Lastly, I hope Doto, Neko, Kirishima, and other horses live a long and healthy life at Northern Lake.”
These donations are expressions of gratitude and love for the real horses that had inspired characters who had touched players’ lives. The campaign became a bridge between the virtual world of Umamusume and the tangible needs of actual retired racehorses.
The fundraising effort also highlighted how gaming communities can mobilize for real-world causes. Social media platforms buzzed with activity as fans shared the campaign, created fan art celebrating Meisho Doto and Northern Lake Farm, and encouraged others to contribute. The community demonstrated that the emotional connections formed through gaming experiences can translate into meaningful action.
The Bigger Picture: Retired Racehorses Need Support
Northern Lake Farm’s campaign sheds light on an important but often overlooked aspect of horse racing: what happens to champions after their racing days end. Many racehorses, after giving their all on the track, need places where they can live out their remaining years in peace, safety, and comfort.
The new stable facility will provide improved living conditions for all the retired horses at Northern Lake Farm, not just Meisho Doto. It represents a commitment to treating these animals with the dignity and care they deserve after their racing careers conclude. For horses like Meisho Doto, who entertained millions and inspired beloved characters, this kind of retirement sanctuary is the least they deserve.
The campaign also provides these horses with proper veterinary care, nutrition, and social enrichment—including friendships with other horses and animals like Meto. It’s about ensuring that their retirement years are as comfortable and happy as possible.
Looking Forward
As the Northern Lake Farm campaign continues to gain momentum, it serves as an inspiring case study for the positive potential of gaming communities. The relationship between Umamusume players and Northern Lake Farm exemplifies how virtual experiences can create real emotional connections that motivate people to make a difference.
For Meisho Doto—both the character and the horse—this campaign ensures that his story of perseverance has a happy ending. The legendary racehorse who spent his racing career chasing glory, who finally achieved his G1 victory, and who now spends his days in peaceful retirement with his cat friend Meto, will continue to have a safe and comfortable home thanks to the global community of fans who were touched by his story.
In a world where gaming is often criticized for isolating people or encouraging escapism, the Northern Lake Farm campaign stands as a beautiful counter-example. It shows that virtual worlds can inspire real compassion, that fictional characters can teach us to care about actual beings, and that gaming communities, when united by shared passion and purpose, can achieve remarkable things.
The race to save Northern Lake Farm is one that the Umamusume community is determined to win—and this time, everyone gets to cross the finish line together.
To learn more about Northern Lake Farm and their ongoing efforts to care for retired racehorses, or to support their crowdfunding campaign, visit their Readyfor page. The legacy of champions like Meisho Doto lives on through the care these farms provide and the communities that support them.
Read More:
The Life and Legacy of Grass Wonder in Japanese Horse Racing and Uma Musume – VRSUS
Silence Suzuka’s Voice Actress Marika Kohno Will Be at Philippine Game Show 2025 – VRSUS
Still In Love: Uma Musume’s First Full-Blown Yandere Takes the Fandom by Storm – VRSUS
The Best Songs in Uma Musume: Post-Race Performances That Steal the Show – VRSUS
