Umayuru (TV)

In real life, Vodka (2004-2019) was the daughter of Tanino Gimlet (foaled May 4, 1999).

The first ending sequence features a TP bottle and an alarm clock, two elements from the Uma Musume: Pretty Derby game. The TP bottle is used to restore the player's Toughness Points, which are required to play in Career mode. The alarm clock is used as a Continue item to redo a failed race; the player can use up to four alarm clocks in Career mode.

In real life, Daiwa Scarlet (foaled May 13, 2004) is the daughter of Agnes Tachyon (1998-2009).

A running joke throughout this series is Tanino Gimlet and her habit of destroying fences. This is in reference to the real racehorse, as he has a habit of kicking down fences at the ranch he has resided since his retirement in 2003.

Unlike the other characters, Happy Meek is an original uma musume who is not based on a racehorse. In 2022, racehorse owner Koichiro Yamaguchi named one of his horses Happy Meek. Unlike the character, who is designated as a stallion, the racehorse is a mare (female).

Another running joke throughout the series is the presence of a giant Hishi Akebono in the background. The regular uma musume version stands at 180 cm, becoming the tallest student at Tracen Academy. This is a nod to the real racehorse (1992-2008) being the heaviest (560 kg) to win the Sprinters Stakes in 1995. The racehorse was named after the sumo wrestler Akebono Taro (1969-2024).

Sasami Anshinzawa uses bamboo needles, which were once used on racehorses to relieve bloodstream congestion. In 2022, the Japan Racing Association (JRA) banned the use of bamboo needles, as they were proven to have no medical benefits.

Tanino Gimlet's eyepatch references the real racehorse having the "Dictus Eye", in which his left eye has a naturally piercing gaze. The real racehorse won five out of eight races in 2002 before a bowed tendon led to his retirement in 2003. In 2022, the real Tanino Gimlet developed an eye infection and had to wear an eyepatch.

Symboli Kris S uses some English on her dialogue as a reference to the real racehorse (1999-2020) being American-bred. The real Symboli Kris S won eight out of 15 races from 2002 to 2003, as well as the Japanese Horse of the Year award in both years.

In episode 2, Matikanetannhauser removes a TP bottle from her pocket as she tries to find a towel to wipe the honey drink stain off of Symboli Kris S.

In episode 6, the four uma musume detectives are cosplaying as famous TV detectives: Tokai Teio as Conan Edogawa from Detective Conan/Case Closed, Mejiro McQueen as Ukyo Sugishita from Aibou: Tokyo Detective Duo, Agnes Tachyon as Manabu Yukawa from Detective Galileo, and Matikanefukukitaru as Ninzaburō Furuhata from Furuhata Ninzaburō.

In episode 9, the Japanese title is "Yama o Kakeru!" (Run Through the Mountains!), a play on the Uma Musume: Pretty Derby Season 2 opening theme "Yume o Kakeru!" (Run for Our Dream!).

In episode 9, Happy Meek's number is 86, a reference to the Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno driven by Takumi Fujiwara in the manga and anime series Initial D.

The gang names in episode 12 reference historic western racehorses whose bloodlines link to the members. Brian's Bandidos is named after American racehorse Brian's Time (1985-2013), whose progeny includes Vodka, Tanino Gimlet, and Mayano Top Gun. The Sunday Syndicate consists of the descendants of American racehorse Sunday Silence (1986-2002): Daiwa Scarlet, Special Week, and Silence Suzuka. Tony's Angels, named after Irish racehorse Tony Bin (1983-2000), consists of Tosen Jordan, Air Groove, and Winning Ticket.

In episode 12, Winning Ticket rides a scooter as a reference to her concept art.

Daiwa Scarlet's nightmare in episode 16 references the Claw Machine mini-game, which can be randomly accessed in the Uma Musume: Pretty Derby game by selecting Recreation during the Classic or Senior season in Career mode. In the mini-game, there is a chance to grab five plushies in one round; however, it is practically impossible to collect them all, if not one, due to the combined weight of the plushies and the fluctuating speed of the claw.

In episode 19, Tazuna Hayakawa and Yayoi Akikawa rush to open a door. This is a direct reference to the Scout section of the Uma Musume: Pretty Derby game, where Tazuna (or sometimes Akikawa) reveals the trainee(s) the player receives from their pull.

The race in episode 24 is based on the 2002 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), with Tanino Gimlet and Symboli Kris S finishing first and second, respectively.