Ultimate Beginner Guide Umamusume Pretty Derby Tips & Tricks!

If you’re new to Umamusume Pretty Derby, the game might feel a bit overwhelming at first. It’s not your typical mobile game—Umamusume blends character development, training strategy, and horse racing into one deep simulation. In this guide, we’ll cover all the essentials every beginner should know, from rerolling and building your support deck to choosing your first character and understanding the training system.

What is Umamusume Pretty Derby?

Umamusume Pretty Derby is a horse-racing simulation game with idol-style training elements. You don’t just collect characters (called Umamusume or “horse girls”), you raise and train them over the course of three in-game years to become champions in both PvE and PvP races. The main gameplay loop involves selecting one character to train, building a support card deck, going through training sessions, and competing in key races.

Common Beginner Mistake: Focusing on Characters

Many new players make the mistake of going after their favorite characters first. However, in Umamusume, your support cards are much more important early on. Support cards determine how effective your training sessions are, which skills you can learn, and how fast your character grows.

Tip: Use the reroll system to get top-tier support cards like Fine Motion or Silent Suzuka (Support)—these are more valuable at the start than any 3-star character. Check out our Reroll Guide!

Choosing Your First Umamusume Wisely

When selecting your first 3-star character, avoid picking one who matches a support card you already have. For example, if you get Silent Suzuka (Support), don’t train her as your first character. Instead, choose a character that complements your support deck. Also, pay attention to their race preferences:

• Sprint
• Mile
• Medium Distance
• Long Distance
• Dirt (off-road)

Picking a compatible character helps you get better results in early training and races.

Training Basics: What You Need to Understand

Training consists of five core options:

• Speed
• Stamina
• Power
• Guts
• Wisdom

Training not only boosts stats, but also builds your bond with support cards. Once the bond meter turns orange, you unlock Friendship Training, which offers large stat boosts. Aim to reach this point quickly. A few training tips:

• Avoid training with low energy—rest instead.
• Keep track of your character’s mood, as it affects training and race outcomes.
• Events often give stat boosts or unlock skills—check a database if you’re unsure which options to pick.
• Use clock items to retry a race if you fail.

For full Guide training, check out our Umamusume Pretty Derby Beginner Training Guide!

Understand Stats and Prepare for Races

Each stat plays a different role depending on your character and race type:

• Speed – Crucial for front-runners
• Stamina – Required for long-distance races
• Power – Helps with overtaking during races
• Guts – Impacts your final stretch performance
• Wisdom – Influences skill usage and energy efficiency

Before every race, make sure your training matches the race’s distance and surface type. Always check if your character is suited for turf or dirt, short or long distance, and which race strategy (front-runner, leader, etc.) fits best.

After Training: Building a Strong Bloodline

Once a training cycle is complete, your Umamusume becomes part of your legacy pool and can be used as a “parent” in future training runs. Focus on creating a strong bloodline by combining characters with compatible race types. Over time, your goal should be to build a team that covers all race categories:

• Sprint
• Mile
• Medium
• Long
• Dirt

Each successful training run strengthens your overall team for future races.

Umamusume Pretty Derby isn’t a game about fast reactions or twitch controls. Race results depend on your training strategy, preparation, and support deck. Stick with it, and don’t be discouraged by early setbacks. Start by rerolling for a solid support lineup, learn the training mechanics, and build a long-term plan for your team. With patience and a bit of trial and error, you’ll soon see your characters rising to the top of every leaderboard. Train smart, and may your horse girls cross the finish line first!