

SARGA.CO – For fans of the anime Uma Musume: Pretty Derby, the name Sweep Tosho is often remembered as an eccentric, stubborn, yet determined little girl. But behind that stylish character lies the true story of a legendary Japanese racehorse whose achievements carved history, and who once lived in the real world.
Sweep Tosho is not just a fictional character. She was a real thoroughbred mare, born on May 9, 2001, sired by End Sweep and out of Tabatha Tosho, owned by Tosho Sangyo Corporation. With champion bloodlines from her sire, she was also the half-sister of another famous horse, Rhein Kraft.
The “Unpredictable” Mare
In Japanese horse racing, Sweep Tosho was known as an eccentric mare with a quirky temperament. She was trained by Akio Tsurudome and paired with jockey Kenichi Ikezoe, often called the “specialist of quirky horses,” as he also rode Orfevre and Dream Journey, two legendary horses from the “Gold family.”
Though unpredictable and sometimes frustrating on the track, Sweep Tosho possessed immense talent. Racing from 2003 to 2007, she recorded 8 victories and 4 runner-up finishes from a total of 24 starts.
Yet the number of wins was not the only measure of her greatness—several of them were Japan’s most prestigious G1 races.
Sweep Tosho etched her name among Japan’s racing queens by winning the Shuka Sho (2004), the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2005), and the Takarazuka Kinen (2005).
Among these, the Takarazuka Kinen was her most historic triumph. Sweep Tosho became the first mare in 38 years to win the race, defeating big names such as Zenno Rob Roy, Admire Groove, and the Triple Crown queen Still In Love. This extraordinary feat instantly elevated her status to that of a legend.
After closing her career in 2007 following a loss in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Sweep Tosho retired to become a broodmare at Tosho Sangyo Farm. She produced 10 foals, including Clean Sweep, Piedra de Luna, and Sweep Hours. Tragically, on December 5, 2020, Sweep Tosho passed away at the age of 19 due to complications from intestinal volvulus (twisted intestines) while pregnant.
Though she is gone, Sweep Tosho’s name lives on—not only in the annals of Japanese horse racing history but also in the hearts of Uma Musume fans, who know her as a little witch-like girl with fierce ambition on the racetrack.
The Sweep Tosho character in Uma Musume may look playful and childlike, but she still carries that stubbornness, courage, and untapped potential—an accurate reflection of the real horse.
Many loyal Uma Musume fans only later realized that behind her adorable antics lies the true story of an extraordinary mare who defied expectations and wrote her own legacy.
(Sources: FB Atha ID, Wikipedia, Uma Musume Wiki Fandom, Netkeiba, Namuwiki)
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