Sakura Laurel

"No matter how harsh the winters can hurt. The cherry blossoms will always bloom, some day, for sure!"

- Sakura Laurel

Sakura Laurel (サクラローレル Sakura Rooreru) is a character of Uma Musume: Pretty Derby. She is to be a protagonist of Star Blossom.

Personality
Having a bright and positive spirit, Sakura Laurel is a horse girl that cannot be easily discouraged. Despite having weak legs since birth and being more prone to injuries than others, she always manages to stand her ground and never give up. She has a special feeling towards her classmate Narita Brian, believing that she will one day beat her in a race.

Relationships

 * Seiun Sky: Roommate.
 * IRL: Their main jockey is Norihiro Yokoyama.
 * Mayano Top Gun:
 * IRL: Member of 1997 Top Three.
 * Matches (SL/MTG)
 * 1996 Tenno Sho Spring 1st/5th
 * 1996 Sankei Sho All-comers 1st/4th
 * 1996 Tenno Sho Autumn 3rd/2nd (1st: Bubble Gum Fellow)
 * 1996 Arima Kinen 1st/7th
 * 1997 Tenno Sho Spring 1st/2nd
 * Marvelous Sunday:
 * IRL: Member of 1997 Top Three.
 * Matches (SL/MS)
 * 1996 Tenno Sho Autumn 3rd/4th (1st: Bubble Gum Fellow)
 * 1996 Arima Kinen 1st/2nd
 * 1997 Tenno Sho Spring 2nd/3rd (1st: Mayano Top Gun)
 * Narita Brian: Laurel wants to defeat her.
 * IRL: Laurel defeated him once.
 * Matches (SL/NB)
 * 1996 Tenno Sho Spring 1st/2nd
 * Sakura Bakushin O: Former member of Victory Club.
 * IRL: Their owner is Sakura Commerce, and they belonged to Katsutaro Sakai stable. Laurel accompanied Bakushin O at 1994 Mile Championship.
 * Sakura Chiyono O: Former member of Victory Club.
 * IRL: Their owner is Sakura Commerce, and they belonged to Katsutaro Sakai stable. They have episodes related with their sempai, Sakura Star O.

Songs

 * Youthful Eyes (Solo song)
 * Umapyoi Densetsu
 * Make Debut!
 * Gaze on Me
 * Ms. VICTORIA
 * KIRARI MAGIC SHOW
 * DRAMATIC JOURNEY

Special Commentary

 * Requirement: Winning senior Arima Kinen
 * Reference: 1996 Arima Kinen, by Masayuki Sakai (Fuji TV)

Real Life
"We have a dream that we want to dream with him. Although he had high expectations since his debut, his first major win wouldn't be until he was five, winning the Kin-Pai. Moreover, since he was forced to rest for a long time due to a leg anxiety, he has not been full-fledged until the spring of six years old . Despite his year-long absence, he overwhelmed everyone in the Nakayama Kinen. At the next race, Tenno Sho Spring, it didn't take long for him to catch up to Narita Brian and overtake him, and succeeded into the throne and title of the strongest older horse. On that fruitful autumn, though he aimed for a continuous win the Tenno Sho in Tokyo and lost in a close game, he completely won the 1996 Arima Kinen, not letting any rival present step on even his shadow. He showed his strength and grasped the honor of the Horse of the Year. His dynamic footwork, which widened the gap with each complete stride, makes us feel his infinite potential of a late-bloomer, and even made him dream of world domination."

- JRA Heroes poster

Sakura Laurel is a racehorse in the middle of 1990s. He is known as one of 1997 Old Horse Top Three with Mayano Top Gun and Marvelous Sunday. He got fatal injuries in his legs, but he survived and got two G1s.

"'Sakura again! Cherry blossoms fully bloom in Kyoto racecourse again! Sakura Laurel!'
 * His health was not good, so his debut was delayed until his age of three.
 * He broke his legs twice. The first time was when he was four, training for Tenno Sho Spring. He almost lost his racing abilty or his life, though, his stable tried and tried curing him and he returned on the turf. The second time was during 1997 Prix Foy in France. He lost in the tail end, and the vet suggested to put him down. His groom Ryota Kojima stopped it and returnd to Japan.
 * At Tenno Sho Spring, Kiyoshi Sugimoto announcer referred to 1987 Kikka Sho, that Laurel's sempai Sakura Star O won.

- 1996 Tenno Sho Spring, by Kiyoshi Sugimoto (Kansai TV)""'Cherry blossoms fully bloom in chrysanthemum season! Sakura in chrysanthemum season! Sakura Star O!'

- 1987 Kikka Sho, by Kiyoshi Sugimoto (Kansai TV)"