Umamusume creator Cygames will be the main sponsor of the G1 American Oaks at Santa Anita Park
Video game publisher and developer Cygames, creator of Umamusume: Pretty Derby, the viral horse girl gacha game, has formed a partnership with Los Angeles Turf Club,and will be the main sponsor of the American Oaks G1 race.
News of the partnership broke late on Dec. 8, with Cygames becoming the main sponsor of the $300,000 American Oaks race, set to be held on Friday, Dec. 26.
As part of the partnership, the 2025 American Oaks will carry the Cygames name. In addition, the Cygames logo will be featured on the race program, jumbotron, and saddle cloths.
The American Oaks G1 is a one and a quarter mile race for three-year-old fillies. It’s reportedly one of the most prestigious races of the season, with G1 status, and has taken place for over 20 years. The release explains that it is watched both by US race fans and viewers around the world.
Nate Newby, General Manager, Santa Anita Park commented on the sponsorship announcement:
“The American Oaks is a coveted race that blends North American and international racing excellence, and we are thrilled to be partnering with Cygames to present the 2025 running on opening day of Santa Anita Park’s historic Classic Meet. The partnership with Cygames reflects Santa Anita’s commitment to expanding our racing content on a global scale to deliver unforgettable sports and entertainment experiences.”
Koichi Watanabe, President of Cygames added his own comments:
“The opportunity to sponsor the American Oaks, a G1 race watched by fans the world over, comes as a great delight to us. Here at Cygames, we are currently striving to bring our content to a global audience, and this sponsorship will provide the perfect chance to show the world our vision to be the best in entertainment. By building a global presence, we hope to make what contributions we can to the advancement of entertainment and racing culture.”
However, this is far from the first time Cygames has sponsored major horse races. The company sponsored the Breeders’ Cup in 2024 and 2025, with their own Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint, had a race at the Grand Prix de Paris in 2025, and featured at the 151st Kentucky Derby, with the Unbridled Sidney Stakes Presented by Cygames on Kentucky Oaks Day.
All of this is part of a wider initiative by Cygames to broaden awareness of not only their own horse girl gacha game, Umamusume, but of the sport of horse racing. The company has helped develop a new generation of racing fans who come in not just as casual observers and bettors, but as students of the history and lineage of the sport.
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Featured Image Credit: Cygames
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