The Uncrowned King: Why Man O' War, The Greatest American Thoroughbred, Isn't In Uma Musume (Yet)

The question of Man o' War's inclusion in Uma Musume: Pretty Derby is one of the most persistent and intriguing mysteries for fans of the "Horse Girls" franchise, even as of this current date in December 2025. While the Japanese media mix project has successfully anthropomorphized hundreds of legendary Thoroughbreds from Japan and other international stars, the absence of the horse widely regarded as America's greatest—often referred to simply as "Big Red"—highlights a fascinating intersection of licensing challenges, cultural reverence, and the sheer magnitude of his legacy.

The truth is that Man o' War, the dominant figure of early 20th-century American horse racing, remains one of the most-requested but unreleased characters. His story is not just one of victory, but of such overwhelming dominance that it would require Cygames to introduce a character of almost mythical power, a challenge that goes beyond mere character design and delves deep into the game's established lore and competitive balance.

The Unmatched Legacy: Man o' War's Real-Life Biography and Records

To understand the hype surrounding a potential Man o' War Uma Musume, one must first grasp the sheer, terrifying dominance of the real-life horse. Born on March 29, 1917, at Nursery Stud farm in Lexington, Kentucky, Man o' War was an American Thoroughbred whose career statistics read like a fictional sports hero's resume.

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• Full Name: Man o' War
• Nickname: Big Red
• Foaled: March 29, 1917
• Died: November 1, 1947 (Faraway Farm, Lexington, Kentucky)
• Owner: August Belmont Jr. (as a yearling), Samuel D. Riddle (from 1918 onwards)
• Trainer: Louis Feustel
• Sire: Fair Play
• Dam: Mahubah (by Rock Sand)
• Racing Career: 1919–1920 (Two Seasons)
• Total Starts: 21
• Record: 20 Wins, 1 Second Place, 0 Third Places
• Total Earnings: $249,465 (A staggering sum for the era)
• Key Victories: Belmont Stakes, Preakness Stakes, Travers Stakes, Dwyer Stakes, Lawrence Realization Stakes, Stuyvesant Handicap.
• Notable Feat: Won the 1920 Lawrence Realization Stakes by an estimated 100 lengths, a record margin of victory.

His single loss came in the 1919 Sanford Memorial Stakes to a horse named Upset, a defeat so shocking that the horse's name became a permanent fixture in the English language to describe an unexpected victory.

In 1920, Man o' War was so dominant that he was often forced to race without competition, as other owners refused to enter their horses against him. He skipped the Kentucky Derby because his owner, Samuel Riddle, did not believe in racing a three-year-old at the Derby's distance of ten furlongs.

The Real Reason Man o' War Hasn't Debuted

For a character of Man o' War's stature, his absence is often chalked up to two major factors: licensing and narrative scale. Cygames, the developer of Uma Musume, meticulously secures the rights from the owners or estates of the real-life horses. Securing licenses for non-Japanese Thoroughbreds, especially iconic American horses like Man o' War, Secretariat, or American Pharoah, presents a significantly more complex legal and financial hurdle than acquiring rights for domestic Japanese horses.

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Furthermore, integrating international horses is not just a matter of adding a new character; it requires a major expansion of the game's world.

• Licensing Complexity: Acquiring the rights to deceased American legends, whose estates are managed by different entities than the Japanese racing industry, is a "complicated process."
• New Tracks and Events: To honor the careers of horses like Man o' War, Cygames would likely need to introduce American racecourses (such as Belmont Park or Pimlico Race Course) and their unique race schedules, which is a massive development undertaking.
• Narrative Power Level: Man o' War's 20-win, 1-loss career, and his 100-length victory, makes him a difficult character to balance. He is arguably the greatest Thoroughbred of the 20th century. His power level in the game would have to be near-mythical, potentially overshadowing the current roster of legendary Japanese Horse Girls like Gold Ship, Tokai Teio, and Special Week.

The developers have shown a willingness to engage with American racing, notably by becoming a sponsor for the Kentucky Derby, which suggests a path is being paved for future American inclusions. However, the process is slow and deliberate.

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The Deep Genetic Connection to the Uma Musume Universe

Despite his physical absence from the roster, Man o' War's influence is already deeply woven into the fabric of the Uma Musume world through his descendants. This is the key piece of topical authority that links the American legend directly to the Japanese racing scene. Man o' War was a supremely influential sire, producing many champions, including the famous Triple Crown winner War Admiral. This lineage extends directly to some of the most beloved and well-known Horse Girls.

Man o' War's Descendants in Uma Musume

The game’s narrative often highlights the bloodlines of the Horse Girls, and several popular characters trace their ancestry back to "Big Red," making his spiritual presence undeniable.

• Haru Urara: Perhaps the most surprising connection, the lovable, perpetually losing Haru Urara is a direct descendant of Man o' War. This contrast—the greatest horse of the 20th century being the ancestor of the most famously winless horse—creates a powerful, emotional narrative thread in the game.
• Oguri Cap: The "Grey Wonder" of the late 1980s and early 1990s also has Man o' War in his pedigree through his sire line. This connection adds a layer of "fiery fighting spirit" to Oguri Cap's own legendary status and rivalry with other horses.
• Nippo Teio (Akitsu Teio): Another character with a strong connection, showing how pervasive Man o' War's influence is, even decades later, in the Japanese Thoroughbred population.

This lineage ensures that the history and spirit of Man o' War are constantly referenced, even without a standalone character. His legacy is the foundation upon which the careers of many current Horse Girls are built, making him the ultimate "ancestor" figure.

What a Man o' War Uma Musume Could Look Like

Fan speculation about Man o' War's design is intense, often imagining a character that embodies his nickname, "Big Red," and his American heritage. His design would need to reflect his status as a century-defining legend, a figure of immense strength, speed, and almost regal bearing.

The real Man o' War was a large, powerfully built chestnut horse with a distinctive white star and stripe on his face. This would almost certainly translate into a character with striking red hair, a tall, muscular build, and an outfit featuring American iconography, perhaps a subtle nod to the Stars and Stripes or the colors of his owner, Samuel Riddle. His personality would likely be that of an overwhelming, confident, and perhaps slightly aloof champion, who views the track as his kingdom, mirroring his real-life dominance where he was rarely challenged. The narrative arc would likely center on his one defeat to Upset and his refusal to race in the Kentucky Derby, exploring themes of perfection, legacy, and the weight of being the greatest.

While the wait continues for Cygames to announce the official debut of a Man o' War Uma Musume, the anticipation only grows. His eventual release would not just be the addition of a new character; it would be a landmark event, a bridge connecting the golden age of American Thoroughbred racing with the modern era of Japanese media. Until then, fans can appreciate his legacy through the many Horse Girls who carry his championship bloodline, patiently waiting for the day the "Uncrowned King" finally arrives at the Tracen Academy track.