Japanese songs about horses – popular tracks. Heart dances to the galloping melodies.
Horses have long been by our side, loved as symbols of strength and grace.
Their presence has inspired countless artists in the world of music as well.
In this article, we’ve gathered popular Japanese songs related to horses.
From exhilarating rock tracks to ballads tinged with melancholy, it’s a truly diverse lineup.
Give them a listen, and you’ll surely find yourself loving horses even more than before.
Be sure to check them out to the end and find your favorite track!
Japanese songs themed around horses: popular tracks. Heart dances to the galloping melodies (1–10)
Haneuma RiderPorunogurafiti
A title track from Porno Graffitti’s 20th single, its galloping sense of speed—like a bucking horse—sets your heart racing.
Released in June 2006, the song was used in a commercial for Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s Pocari Sweat.
Lyricist Haruichi Shindo expanded on the image of a “wild horse” to match the dynamic sound, depicting uncontrollable impulses and a feeling of acceleration by likening them to a rider on a motorcycle.
The crisp band ensemble is reinforced by a muscular drive, delivering an exhilarating rush.
It’s the perfect song to boost your mood or to play while feeling the wind on a drive.
Make debut!supika
This is a single by Spica released in April 2018 as the opening theme for Season 1 of the anime Uma Musume: Pretty Derby.
It’s a track packed with the excitement of standing at the starting line and the joy of dashing forward with friends.
From the fanfare-like, dazzling intro to the steady four-on-the-floor beat, it gives you a pleasant push from behind.
The lyrics are sprinkled with positive words, leaving an impression that it values the brilliance of the moment you take off more than the harshness of winning and losing.
Perfect for when you want to start something new or need the courage to take on a challenge.
Highly recommended for your morning commute or school run!
FanfareTamaki Kōji
A track by Koji Tamaki that races ahead with a sense of exhilaration and overwhelming vocal power.
Written as the theme song for the drama “The Royal Family,” which portrays the world of horse racing, it will be released as a single in November 2025.
This song was created by overlapping Tamaki’s own life, growing up in Hokkaido, with the image of a horse maturing.
It’s an anthem that sings about the importance of moving straight ahead without being bound by winning or losing.
A song that gently gives a push to those who live desperately for what matters, even while wounded.
Highly recommended for anyone ready to take a new step forward.
Run, Makibao!F Map
This is a song by F-MAP, produced as the opening theme for the 1996 TV anime Midori no Makibaō.
The unit consists of three male Fuji TV announcers: Kenji Fukui, Masaharu Miyake, and Tatsuya Aoshima.
Fukui serves as the lead vocalist, while Aoshima—well-known for his horse racing commentary—handles the play-by-play parts, making full use of strengths unique to announcers.
The original song is Salty Sugar’s Hashire Kōtarō, and this version recreates that sense of exhilarating speed.
The inserted race commentary heightens the realism.
It’s perfect as background music for sports days and competitions, and is recommended when you want to get pumped up.
Chasing Dreams!Supesharu Wiiku (CV: Waki Azumi) Sairensu Suzuka (CV: Takano Marika) Toukai Teiou (CV: Machico) Uokka (CV: Oohashi Ayaka) Daiwa Sukaaretto (CV: Kimura Chisaki) Goorudo Shippu (CV: Ueda Hitomi) Mejiro Makkuiin (CV: Oonishi Saori)
Released in February 2021 as the opening theme for the anime Uma Musume: Pretty Derby Season 2, this song is performed by the voice actors for the characters.
Brimming with the energy of dashing toward their dreams and the bonds of friends pushing each other forward, it resonates atop a driving, fast-paced band sound.
The structure opens up more and more toward the chorus in a way that feels great, and no matter how many times you listen, it makes your heart race.
It’s perfect when you need courage to move forward or a boost of energy.
If everyone sings it together in unison, it’s sure to be an absolute blast!
Run, Kotaro!Sorutī Shugā
With its innovative concept of parodying a horse-racing commentary, this track shocked the early-1970s music scene.
Released in July 1970 as Salty Sugar’s second single, it became a massive hit as a comic song that broke out of the folk framework.
The rapid-fire, live-broadcast-style narration and the crowd’s cheers come one after another, letting you feel a mounting excitement as if your heart rate were rising just by listening.
Initially spreading gradually by word of mouth, it reached No.
1 on the Oricon weekly chart in January 1971.
It also won the New Artist Award at the 12th Japan Record Awards.
Riding the momentum of the song, a film starring Shunji Fujimura was released in February 1971.
Long beloved as classic background music for school sports day footraces, it’s perfect for energizing any race or competition scene!
Umapyoi LegendSupesharu Uiiku (CV: Waki Azumi) Sairensu Suzuka (CV: Takano Marika) Tokai Teiō (CV: Machico)
This song is emblematic of Uma Musume Pretty Derby, which sparked a major movement in both gaming and anime.
Performed by the voice actors from the anime, it first debuted in 2016.
In December 2022, it surpassed 50 million streams and earned Gold certification.
Its rapid-fire melody, lively call-and-response, and cascading interjections steadily boost the listener’s excitement.
Featured as the ending theme for the final episodes of various seasons, it has been cherished as a symbol of victory and celebration.
It’s the perfect track to play when you want to hype up a live crowd or lift your spirits.