Gold Ship, a retired racehorse infamous for costing bettors 12 billion yen after a disastrously late start at the 2015 Takarazuka Kinen, found a second wave of massive fame through his character adaptation in the hit game Umamusume: Pretty Derby.
Now residing at Big Red Farm in Hokkaido, the stallion drew such massive crowds of gaming fans that the facility had to suspend weekend and public holiday visits starting July 11, 2026. The decision stems from safety concerns and severe parking congestion, highlighting how a fictional franchise can directly disrupt a functional, working breeding operation.
While it is fascinating to see such a dedicated real-world fandom, it serves as a reminder that the farm is a business, not a tourist attraction.