In a story that echoes the recent triumph of Meisho Doto and Northern Lake Farm, another Japanese retirement farm is reaching out to the global Umamusume community for support. This time, the sanctuary in need is Versailles Resort Farm — home to three legendary racehorses who, while not yet available in the English version of the game, have already captured the hearts of international fans through their vibrant presence in fan art and community discussions: Tanino Gimlet, Wonder Acute, and Transcend.

A New Stable for Champions

Located in Hidaka, Hokkaido—Japan’s heartland of thoroughbred horse racing—Versailles Resort Farm (officially known as Yogibo Versailles Resort Farm through a naming rights partnership) launched a crowdfunding campaign on October 1, 2025, with an ambitious goal: to raise 50 million yen (approximately $330,000 USD) to build a fourth stable facility, expand pasture areas, and repair critical infrastructure.

The campaign is a continuation of a mission that began in 2017 when the farm’s representative, Takafumi Iwasaki, decided to address one of Japanese horse racing’s most troubling statistics: of the approximately 7,000 racehorses that retire annually, only about 1,300 continue as breeding horses, and roughly 3,000 become riding horses. Nearly half face an uncertain fate, their whereabouts unknown after their racing careers end.

Starting from nothing, Versailles Resort Farm has grown to care for over 40 retired racehorses, giving these champions the peaceful retirement they deserve after years of thrilling fans on the racetrack. The farm’s evolution from its struggling origins—when it was inherited with 300 million yen in debt in 2015—to a thriving sanctuary is a testament to the power of community support and innovative thinking.

Meet the Stars: Three Umamusume You’ll Want to Know

While Tanino Gimlet, Wonder Acute, and Transcend aren’t available in the English version of Umamusume: Pretty Derby yet, they’ve already become familiar faces to international fans. Through the constant stream of fanart circulating on social media, artwork featuring their anime counterparts at various events, and discussions in Umamusume communities, players worldwide have gotten to know these three characters and their distinctive personalities long before their official English debuts.

Tanino Gimlet: The Cool Speedster (and Fence Destroyer)

Tanino Gimlet is an umamusume with a distinctive aesthetic who acts only according to what she thinks looks cool. With her short bay brown hair with a purple tinge, yellow eyes, and an iconic eyepatch covering her right eye, she’s quite the unforgettable figure. She has a strong obsession with “speed” in mile distances and “strength” in mid distances—and possesses formidable talent for both.

What makes Tanino Gimlet particularly memorable is her use of the very masculine pronoun “ore” when referring to herself (a trait shared only with Vodka, who in real life was her daughter). The eyepatch is a reference to the real horse’s “Dictus eye”—a left eye with a naturally piercing gaze that set him apart on the track.

But perhaps her most endearing quirk is also her most destructive: Tanino Gimlet is a fence destroyer. She’s famous for breaking down fences, turning property damage into performance art. This playful detail connects perfectly to her real-life counterpart at Versailles Resort Farm, where fence repairs are an ongoing necessity thanks to the spirited residents.

Interestingly, Vodka—one of the most popular characters in Umamusume and the real-life daughter of Tanino Gimlet—idolizes her, creating a touching mother-daughter dynamic that fans adore. Tanino Gimlet is also roommates with another champion, Narita Brian, adding to her circle of legendary connections.

Wonder Acute: The Grandmother of All Umamusume

Wonder Acute is well-known for her calm, caring personality that reminds everyone around her of their own grandmother. With her messy warm-gray hair reaching below her mid-back, gentle blue eyes that fade to pastel yellow, and her distinctive ear cover with pastel red and blue lines adorned with white pom-poms, she embodies comfort and warmth. She has a reputation for making people feel at home whenever they talk to her.

However, when a race approaches, Wonder Acute transforms completely. Her gentle demeanor gives way to an irresistible fighting spirit as she pushes herself stoically, revealing the fierce competitor beneath the grandmotherly exterior.

This grandmother-like characterization isn’t random—it’s a clever reference to the real Wonder Acute’s exceptionally long racing career. The real horse raced until he was nine years old, significantly longer than average, making him a true veteran of the track. In fact, Wonder Acute holds the distinction of having the longest career out of all the umamusume in the franchise.

The fact that this gentle, artistic soul discovered a talent for painting during retirement at Versailles Resort Farm adds another layer to her story. The farm sells artwork created by Wonder Acute himself (with brushes held in his mouth) along with merchandise featuring his creations—a charming real-world echo of her creative, nurturing personality in the game.

Appropriately, Wonder Acute shares a room with another distinguished resident we’ll meet next: Transcend.

Transcend: The Tech-Savvy Information Hunter

Transcend is an information-savvy umamusume who loves delving into subcultures. With her brown hair featuring a white diamond-shaped mark, signature glasses, and pink eyes, she stands out with her bold, tech-inspired fashion sense. She has a keen eye for the latest gadgets, and her curiosity about what’s new and cool thrills her every day.

An excellent communicator, Transcend possesses the remarkable ability to pop into any group and seamlessly join their conversation, always hungry for new information. This social butterfly nature, combined with her intellectual curiosity, makes her a bridge between different circles and communities—much like how the real Transcend bridged Japanese and American racing with his international career.

The real Transcend raced in both Japan and the United States, representing Japanese racing on the global stage. This international background perfectly complements his Umamusume counterpart’s worldly, information-seeking nature. Having arrived at Versailles Resort Farm in late September 2025 alongside Lani and Epoca d’Oro, the real Transcend is now settling into peaceful retirement with his roommate Wonder Acute.

They’re Not Yet In The English Version, But We Love Them Already

The phenomenon of international fans connecting with characters they haven’t officially met in-game yet speaks to the unique culture surrounding Umamusume: Pretty Derby. The franchise’s commitment to honoring real racehorses means that players naturally become curious about the horses behind their favorite characters. This curiosity drives them to learn about Japanese horse racing history, follow the lives of retired champions, and engage with content from the Japanese version of the game.

Fan art serves as a great bridge between the Japanese and international communities. When artists share their works, they’re introducing global audiences to these characters, and in effect, their IRL counterparts and their stories. This cross-cultural exchange has fostered anticipation for when these characters eventually join the English roster, turning them into familiar friends before they’re even officially available.

The community has already begun learning about their racing styles, personality quirks, and storylines based on fragments of information from the Japanese version, translated event stories, and—most importantly—what they know about the actual horses’ racing histories and current lives at Versailles Resort Farm.

A Proven Model: When Gaming Communities Unite for Good

When fans learned that Meisho Doto—the lovable underdog character who had just been introduced to English players—needed help securing a comfortable retirement home, they responded with overwhelming support. Donations poured in from around the world, accompanied by heartfelt messages expressing gratitude to the farm for caring for the horses that inspired characters players had grown to love.

Versailles Resort Farm now stands at a similar crossroads, reaching out to this same global community with hope that the magic can happen again.

The Campaign: Building a Brighter Future

The current crowdfunding effort focuses on several critical improvements:

Fourth Stable Construction: Building new stable facilities to provide more spacious, comfortable living quarters for the growing number of horses under the farm’s care. The new structure will allow horses like Tanino Gimlet, Wonder Acute, and Transcend to have larger stalls where they can rest peacefully.

Pasture Expansion: Installing and repairing fencing to expand grazing areas. These aren’t just fields for eating grass—they’re essential spaces where horses can move freely, interact with their companions, and maintain the physical and mental health that makes their retirement truly fulfilling.

Infrastructure Repair: Addressing damage from natural disasters to ensure the farm’s roads and facilities remain safe and accessible year-round.

Indoor Facility Completion: Finishing an indoor training and activity space began with funds from a previous campaign in January 2025. This versatile building will protect horses from harsh weather while providing space for enrichment activities.

The campaign offers various reward tiers for supporters, including specially designed merchandise that celebrates the horses’ personalities. Backers can receive exclusive items like 70cm oversized plush toys of Tanino Gimlet and Transcend, mini plushies wearing distinctive horse blankets, photo books documenting the horses’ daily lives, and even the opportunity to have their names engraved on bricks that will be placed in front of the new stable—a permanent reminder of the global community’s support.

More Than Just Three Horses

While Tanino Gimlet, Wonder Acute, and Transcend may be the names most familiar to Umamusume fans, Versailles Resort Farm cares for over 40 retired racehorses, each with their own story.

Every horse at Versailles Resort Farm, whether they’ve been immortalized in Umamusume or not, deserves the safe, comfortable retirement that this campaign will help provide. The farm’s philosophy—captured in their slogan “A Future Where We Don’t Call Them Retired Horses”—reflects a commitment to seeing these animals not as has-beens but as individuals deserving of respect, care, and continued purpose in their post-racing lives.

Innovation in Horse Welfare

What sets Versailles Resort Farm apart is its creative approach to sustainability. Rather than relying solely on donations, the farm has developed multiple revenue streams that celebrate the horses while generating income:

Artistic Merchandise: Selling paintings created by Wonder Acute, along with goods featuring his artwork, partnering with brands like Holbein.

Upcycled Products: Repurposing destroyed wooden fence posts into commemorative items and converting worn horse blankets into fashionable tote bags.

Visitor Experiences: Operating accommodation facilities and a café where guests can spend time near the horses, creating memories while supporting the farm’s operations.

Digital Engagement: Maintaining an active social media presence with daily updates, morning news, and behind-the-scenes content that keeps supporters connected.

These initiatives demonstrate that caring for retired racehorses can be a viable business model when paired with transparency, creativity, and genuine passion for horse welfare. The farm’s partnership with Yogibo—the bean bag furniture company known for its comfort-focused products—reinforces this message: just as Yogibo creates products that let people relax and “melt,” Versailles Resort Farm provides a place where champion horses can finally relax after years of intense training and competition.

A Personal Mission

Representative Takafumi Iwasaki’s story adds another layer of meaning to the farm’s mission. Born in Tokyo in 1993 and having spent part of his childhood in Los Angeles, Iwasaki began riding horses in Akashi during elementary school. His path eventually led him back to Hokkaido, where he took over the struggling family farm in 2015.

As a former equestrian athlete with international experience, Iwasaki understood horses not just as livestock or racing commodities but as individual athletes deserving of respect. His interest in horse welfare issues, combined with his exposure to different cultures and business approaches, informed the innovative direction he’s taken Versailles Resort Farm.

When the farm began using crowdfunding in 2019, it was practically unheard of in the traditional horse racing community. “What are you doing?” was the prevailing attitude, with many in the industry unfamiliar with the concept of crowdfunding altogether. But Iwasaki persisted, recognizing that connecting directly with people who cared about horses—even if they’d never set foot on a racetrack—could create a sustainable support network.

His instinct proved correct. The farm’s previous campaigns have been remarkably successful, with their January 2025 effort raising over 71 million yen from nearly 3,000 supporters—179% of their goal. This success story demonstrates that when people understand the need and see transparent, effective use of their contributions, they’re willing to support causes that matter to them.

Current Progress and Future Hope

As of mid-October 2025, the Versailles Resort Farm campaign had raised approximately 8.3 million yen (about 16% of their goal) from 371 supporters. Construction has already begun, with support pillars for the new stable being erected—visible progress that demonstrates the farm’s commitment to transparent use of funds.

The campaign has received endorsements from prominent figures in the Japanese horse racing industry, including representatives from Bando Farm (home to champion jumper Ohjuchosan) and Northern Horse Park, lending credibility and highlighting the campaign’s importance within the professional community.

But reaching the 50 million yen goal requires sustained momentum, and that’s where the international Umamusume community’s support becomes crucial. Just as players rallied around Meisho Doto and Northern Lake Farm, there’s now an opportunity to support three more champions whose virtual counterparts will one day join the English game.

A Race Worth Running

Whether you’re a dedicated Umamusume player eagerly awaiting these characters’ English debuts, someone who simply loves horses, or a person who believes in supporting ethical animal welfare, your contribution matters. Every donation, every share on social media, every conversation you have about the campaign helps build momentum.

The race to support Versailles Resort Farm is about showing that the connections formed through gaming can translate into real-world positive change. It’s about ensuring that when Tanino Gimlet, Wonder Acute, and Transcend finally gallop onto English players’ screens, they can do so knowing that their real-life counterparts are safe, comfortable, and cared for.

The Northern Lake Farm campaign proved that the Umamusume community has a big heart. Now Versailles Resort Farm is counting on that same compassion to help them build a brighter future for over 40 retired champions. These horses gave everything during their racing careers—their speed, their strength, their spirit. Now they’re asking for nothing more than a safe place to enjoy their golden years.

To support Versailles Resort Farm’s crowdfunding campaign and help provide better care for Tanino Gimlet, Wonder Acute, Transcend, and their 40+ companions, visit their Readyfor campaign page. The legacy of champions lives on not just in records and memories, but in the care we provide when their racing days are done. Every contribution to campaigns like this ensures that future generations of racehorses—and future Umamusume characters—will have the happy endings they deserve.

Read More:

Filipino Fans Create WPlace Tribute for Grass Wonder – VRSUS

Still In Love: Uma Musume’s First Full-Blown Yandere Takes the Fandom by Storm – VRSUS

The Life and Legacy of Grass Wonder in Japanese Horse Racing and Uma Musume – VRSUS

Beloved Underdog Racehorse Haru Urara Passes Away at 29 – VRSUS

Silence Suzuka’s Voice Actress Marika Kohno Will Be at Philippine Game Show 2025 – VRSUS