Umamusume tier list March 2026 – best horse girls ranked
Welcome to the definitive Umamusume tier list for 2026. If you’ve just started playing Umamusume: Pretty Derby, you might feel overwhelmed by the roster. With so many iconic horse girls to train, knowing which ones will cross the finish line first is crucial. I’ve spent countless hours analyzing stats, racing styles, and community consensus from top-ranking guides to bring you this breakdown.
The best Umamusume characters are Oguri Cap, Silence Suzuka, and Rice Shower. These S-tier athletes dominate the meta due to their superior base stats, powerful unique skills, and versatility across various track distances and surface conditions. Picking them gives you a significant advantage in both PvE story modes and competitive Champions Meets.
In this article, I’ll rank every prominent horse girl from S-tier to D-tier, explain my ranking criteria, and provide a detailed guide on how to utilize each one effectively. Whether you are rerolling or planning your next training camp, this guide has you covered.
Ranking Factors: How We Ranked the Horse Girls?
Before we dive into the tables, let’s talk about the methodology. I didn’t just pick my favorites (though Special Week is adorable). The rankings are based on:
- Base Stats: High initial speed and stamina are vital for racing success.
- Skill Pool: Gold skills and healing abilities that activate at the right moment can turn the tide of a race.
- Versatility: Can the character perform well on both turf and dirt? Do they excel at multiple distances?
- Racing Style: The meta favors runners that can recover stamina or break away early.
- Accessibility: While raw power is king, ease of training factors into general placement.
Umamusume Tier List
Here is the complete breakdown of the current meta. I have separated these by tier to make them easy to scan.
S-Tier Horse Girls
The absolute best. These racers have sky-high stats, game-changing skills, and fit into almost any team composition.
| Name | Best Distance | Surface | Racing Style | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oguri Cap | Long | Turf/Dirt | Front/Chaser | God-tier stats, versatile on dirt. |
| Silence Suzuka | Long | Turf | Front Runner | Unrivaled early speed & escape. |
| Rice Shower | Long | Turf | Chaser | Great stamina recovery skills. |
| Taiki Shuttle | Mile/Medium | Turf/Dirt | Front/Chaser | Best short-distance pick. |
| Narita Brian | Long | Turf/Dirt | Chaser | Massive power, heals mid-race. |
| Maruzensky | Long | Turf | Front Runner | Incredible stamina & speed combo. |
A-Tier Horse Girls
Strong and reliable. They are excellent choices for filling specific gaps in your roster or for specific track conditions.
| Name | Best Distance | Surface | Racing Style | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Week | Long | Turf | Front/Chaser | Balanced stats, easy to train. |
| Tokai Teio | Medium | Turf | Front/Chaser | Great speed & unique skills. |
| Symboli Rudolf | Medium/Long | Turf | Chaser | Leader skills, debuff resistance. |
| Gold Ship | Long | Turf | Chaser | High Guts, chaotic but strong. |
| Vodka | Medium | Turf | Front Runner | Excellent medium-distance racer. |
| Daiwa Scarlet | Medium | Turf | Chaser | Balanced, good rivalry skills. |
| Air Groove | Medium | Turf | Chaser | Strong stamina & pace skills. |
| Agnes Tachyon | Medium | Turf | Front Runner | Great acceleration skills. |
| Smart Falcon | Dirt | Dirt | Chaser | The queen of dirt racing. |
B-Tier Horse Girls
Solid mid-tier options. They perform well with the right training but might struggle against top-tier competition without heavy investment.
| Name | Best Distance | Surface | Racing Style | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grass Wonder | Long | Turf | Chaser | High stamina, tricky to train. |
| Nice Nature | Medium | Turf | Chaser | Good late-game acceleration. |
| Seiun Sky | Medium | Turf | Front Runner | Good pace control. |
| Winning Ticket | Long | Turf | Chaser | High guts, requires heavy support. |
| Matikane Fukukitaru | Mile | Turf | Front Runner | Solid for short burst races. |
C-Tier Horse Girls
These are generally outclassed by higher-tier units but can be useful early game or for very specific niche strategies.
| Name | Best Distance | Surface | Racing Style | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haru Urara | Short | Dirt | Front Runner | High motivation, low base stats. |
| T.M. Opera O | Long | Turf | Chaser | Needs very specific team comp. |
| Daitaku Helios | Mile | Turf | Front Runner | Average stats across the board. |
| Super Creek | Long | Turf | Front Runner | Good for farming, not meta. |
Detailed Character Analysis
Oguri Cap
Oguri Cap is widely considered the best all-around unit in the game. She is a monster on the track with high base stats in Speed and Power. What sets her apart is her versatility; she performs exceptionally well on both Turf and Dirt, making her useful in almost every event. Her unique skill activates frequently, giving her a massive boost in the final stretch. If you are rerolling, aim for her.
Silence Suzuka
If you love the “Front Runner” style, Silence Suzuka is your girl. She excels at taking the lead early and maintaining it. Her speed stat is terrifyingly high, and she has skills that prevent her from getting overtaken easily. However, she requires careful stamina management, as she burns out quickly if you don’t build her right. Once mastered, she wins races before others even finish.
Rice Shower
Rice Shower is the queen of stamina. She shines in long-distance races where others collapse from exhaustion. Her skills focus on stamina recovery and maintaining position in the back half of the pack before surging forward. I highly recommend her for grueling races like the Tenno Sho. She is a bit niche compared to Oguri Cap but unbeatable in her element.
Taiki Shuttle
When it comes to short bursts, Taiki Shuttle is unmatched. She dominates Mile and Medium distances. Her acceleration allows her to zip past opponents right out of the gate. While she struggles in long-distance endurance tests, her raw speed in standard races makes her a staple in the meta. She is also capable on Dirt, adding to her value.
Narita Brian
Narita Brian is a powerhouse Chaser with incredible Guts. Her unique ability to recover stamina and gain speed in the final moments of a race makes her a clutch winner. She fits well on Dirt or Turf, though her True Endings and events require specific knowledge to optimize. She is a “high risk, high reward” unit that pays off handsomely.
Maruzensky
Often overlooked, Maruzensky is a top-tier Front Runner with a distinct advantage: she doesn’t suffer from the usual “Nige” (runaway) drawbacks. She holds her pace beautifully and has a skill set that punishes late-race strategies from opponents. She is particularly effective in long-distance Turf races where stamina management is key.
Special Week
The poster girl of the franchise, Special Week is a fantastic all-rounder. She is easier to train than many other S-tier units, making her beginner-friendly. She fits well as a Front Runner or Chaser, adapting to your playstyle. While she might lack the raw brokenness of Oguri Cap, her consistency makes her a reliable main character for your team.
Tokai Teio
Tokai Teio is fan-favorite with a tragic backstory translated into high-risk gameplay. She has the potential for the highest speed in the game but suffers from injury risks during training. If you can manage her health and build her Power and Speed, she becomes an unstoppable force in Medium distance races. Her unique skill, “Invincible,” lives up to its name when it triggers.
Symboli Rudolf
The Student Council President is a born leader. Symboli Rudolf brings utility to the team with skills that boost motivation and performance. She is a versatile runner who performs well in Medium to Long races. Her true strength lies in her consistency and ability to debuff opponents, making her a strategic pick for competitive teams.
Gold Ship
Gold Ship is the wild card. With high Guts and a propensity for chaotic behavior, she can go from last to first in seconds. Her skills are powerful but sometimes unpredictable. She is the definition of a “Chaser” who saves all her energy for a chaotic final sprint. If you like suspense, Gold Ship is the way to go.
Vodka
Vodka is the premier choice for Medium distance racing. She strikes a balance between speed and power that few others can match. Her rivalry skills trigger often when racing against other top-tier girls, giving her stat boosts in competitive environments. She is solid, reliable, and hits hard exactly when she needs to.
Daiwa Scarlet
Daiwa Scarlet is a fierce rival to Vodka and a strong Chaser in her own right. She excels at reading the pack and making the right moves at the right time. Her stats are well-balanced, leaning slightly towards Power and Guts. She is a consistent A-tier pick who rarely disappoints on the Turf.
Air Groove
Air Groove is a technical runner. She specializes in Medium distances and utilizes “Tempo” skills to manage her stamina efficiently. She is great for players who like to micromanage their race pacing. While not as explosive as Vodka, she is steadier over long campaigns.
Agnes Tachyon
Agnes Tachyon is a speed demon focused on Medium distances. Her unique skill set allows her to accelerate rapidly, making her dangerous in the mid-race phase. She requires specific support cards to reach her full potential, but once she gets going, she is hard to catch.
Smart Falcon
While most tier lists focus on Turf, Smart Falcon rules the Dirt tracks. If you need a reliable Dirt runner, she is the absolute best option. Her stats are tailored for the chaotic nature of Dirt racing, and she has the stamina to go the distance. Do not overlook her when Dirt events roll around.
Grass Wonder
Grass Wonder is a resilient Chaser with high base Stamina. She performs best in Long distance races where she can utilize her healing skills to outlast the competition. She can be a bit tricky to train effectively, as she needs a specific balance of stats to trigger her best skills.
Nice Nature
Nice Nature is the underdog that everyone loves. She has excellent late-race acceleration, often surprising opponents in the final straight. While she lacks the overwhelming stats of S-tier girls, her utility in “comeback” strategies makes her a fan favorite and a solid B-tier unit.
Haru Urara
Haru Urara is unique. She doesn’t have the stats to win consistently, but her charm lies in her utility. She is often used in training supports or for specific “meme” strategies. In competitive racing, she falls to C-tier, but her popularity ensures she remains a relevant character to collect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best character in Umamusume Pretty Derby?
Currently, Oguri Cap is considered the best character due to her versatility on both Dirt and Turf, high base stats, and powerful unique skill set that dominates most race conditions.
What is the best racing style in Umamusume?
The “Front Runner” (Nige) and “Chaser” (Oikomi) styles are generally considered the best. Front Runners like Silence Suzuka can win by running away with the race early, while Chasers like Narita Brian utilize high Guts to overtake the pack at the finish line.
Is Special Week good in Umamusume?
Yes, Special Week is very good. She is an A-tier unit with balanced stats and is relatively easy to train, making her an excellent choice for beginners clearing the main scenario.
How do I reroll in Umamusume?
To reroll, you generally need to clear the tutorial, collect your free gacha currency, and pull on the banner. If you don’t get the characters you want, you must delete your account data or reinstall the game to start over.
Other Useful Resources
While training your horse girls, you might need some extra in-game items. Check out our guide on Umamusume Pretty Derby codes for freebies to boost your progress. Also, if you enjoy raising characters, our list of the best gacha games might interest you.
For more technical details on character stats and event choices, the official Umamusume Game8 Wiki is an excellent external resource for deep dives.