Horse racing is a sport that has been around us for thousands of years. The sport has influenced our society in many different ways, which is why it is not surprising that we find horse racing references in popular Manga.
Obviously, the sport has galloped its way into unexpected corners of pop culture, including Japanese comics, which always had a knack for weaving niche interests into their stories, and the Sport of Kings fits right in.
Over the years, we can spot many horse racing references in popular Manga comic books, which inspired us to dig deeper and find the best ones.
Some of them cover basic and hidden horse racing themes, while others dive deeper into the sport and cover some of the biggest horse racing events like the Kentucky Derby.
So, here is a look at some popular manga that hide horse racing references that you might have missed.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: The Steel Ball Run
We start with the biggest one in the niche – Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure by Hirohiko Araki, specifically Part 7, Steel Ball Run, which covers every bit of the horse racing industry. It is focused on the content-spanning race across 1890s America and inspired by real-world events like the Kentucky Derby and historical endurance rides.
When we have manga combined with the best horse race in the world (Kentucky Derby), you know it is the real deal. If you are currently browsing through TwinSpires, checking out the previous winners, this might be your perfect opportunity to get inspired.
The story, serialized from 2004 to 2011 in Ultra Jump, follows Johnny Joestar, a former jockey turned paraplegic, and Gyro Zeppeli as they compete in a massive 6,000-kilometer horseback race for a whopping $50 million prize.
We also have horses like Slow Dancer and Valkyrie, their breeds – Appaloosa and Thoroughbred, and racing quirks are detailed with Araki’s signature storytelling.
The arc’s 95 chapters lean hard into racing tactics—pacing, terrain, even jockey weight—making it a love letter to the sport, disguised as a supernatural brawl.
One Piece
Next, we have another fan’s favorite – One Piece which has been running Weekly Shonen Jump since 1997, and we’ve seen the series sneak into horse racing during the Dressrosa Arc (chapters 700-801, 2013-2015).
Specifically, in chapter 732, the coliseum’s gladiator roster includes Ucy, who is a massive bull ridden by Luffy like a steed charging through all the enemies.
Yes, it might not be a horse, but since we are talking about mounted races, we thought that this fits right in. Plus, we are talking about One Piece, so you cannot expect something ordinary, right?
Oda himself confirmed in a SBS Q&A (volume 74) that he drew inspiration from Spanish bull runs and Japan’s historical horse archery contests, which blend them into a chaotic “race” for survival, and makes it even more fun to read.
Gate In!
Here we have a less subtle introduction of horse racing in Gate In! By Sakumoto Kenji, Nanamegi Nanaya, and Muneyuki Kaneshiro, which launched in 2023 with a unique backing form the Japan Racing Association (JRA).
This is a unique project that specifically focuses on horse racing, and it an effort to bring horse racing culture closer to manga fans.
This sports manga, serialized in Manga ONE, centers on three sisters—a trainer, a ranch manager, and a jockey—chasing victory at Japan’s top tracks.
In Volume 1, which was released in October 2023, the series dives into real racing details, like weight limits, trainer tweaks, and diets basted on actual equine nutrition science. It is basically a real-world recreation of the horse racing industry in Japan, only in manga.
So, if you are a true horse racing fan and you want manga that has less-subtle references to horse racing, but more of a deep dive into the sport, Gate In! Is a perfect option.
Naruto
How can we write a manga article without mentioning Naruto? Even though it was wrapped in 2014, we still have 700 chapters that will live forever.
Over the long list of chapters, we can find many subtle horse elements. We are particularly talking about the Sarutobi clan, which is named after the Japanese term for “monkey leaping (saru = monkey, tobi = leap)” which ties loosely to the zodiac and folklore, including the Horse.
In chapter 119 (2002), Hiruzen Sarutobi’s agility in battle mirrors a jockey’s control, and his summon, Enma, moves with equine grace. Kishimoto never calls it out directly, but fan forums like Reddit’s r/Naruto have long speculated the clan’s nimbleness riffs on mounted warriors—fitting, given Japan’s samurai cavalry history.
Okay, this might not be a full dive into the horse racing industry, but there is no doubt that horse racing elements or mounted combat is present in the Naruto chapters.
Bleach
Tite Kubo’s Bleach, serialized from 2001 to 2016 in Weekly Shonen Jump, offers a blink-and-miss-it moment.
In the Soul Society Arc (chapter 81, 2003), Captain Sajin Komamura’s hulking form contrasts with his lieutenant, Tetsuzaemon Iba, whose speed in combat feels almost horse-like.
Kubo’s art notes, published in Bleach: Official Character Book (2006), reveal Iba’s design drew from “a jockey’s tenacity,” a nod to their grit under pressure. It’s not a racetrack, but the reference ties to the sport’s spirit.
