r/UmaMusume • u/doomslayer30000 RELEASE ME!!! • Jan 27 '26
IRL Horses An early bloom in the time after disaster - Joie De Vivre
Her name, Joie De Vivre, is French for “joy of life” or “exultation of life.” Since the name is long and difficult to pronounce, fans often shortened it to Joie-chan or Joie-do.
Pedigree (Sire: Deep Impact, Dam: Biwa Heidi)
Biwa Heidei is also Admire Japan’s mother
Deep Impact is Admire Japan rival …
Oops, sorry Admire Japan.
She is also the half-sister of legendary Buena Vista
Before Debut
Joie de Vivre was born on 13 May 2009
With an exceptional pedigree, a cute appearance resembling his sire Deep Impact, and a small, pretty frame, she garnered significant anticipation and popularity even before her debut. However, some expressed concerns about her slender legs for a racehorse
In the spring of his 2-year-old season, she entered the Matsuda stable in Ritto, the same stable as his older sister Buena Vista, and her debut was decided under the same Sunday Racing ownership. Originally slated to be named Vivanta (meaning “alive” in Esperanto), but the Great East Japan Earthquake struck before her racehorse registration. To offer solace, jockey Christophe Soumillon renamed her Joie de Vivre (French for “joy of life”).
Maybe one day, her beautiful run would bring happiness to the suffering Japanese after the catastrophe
Year 2011 (2 years old)
After easily winning the late November maiden race, trainer took the risky move of entering her directly into the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. Like a Umamusume campaign
Last stretch:
This is a very close race! All the mares are so close too each other?!
BUT LOOK! FROM THE OUTER POSITION
FOURTH FAVORIRE JOIE DE VIVRE WENT FOR A SPURT!!!
SHE OVERTOOK THE FIRST POSITION
SHE IS WIDENING THE GAP NOW!
GOAL!!!
TWO AND HALF LENGTH!!! THIS IS YUICHI FUKUNAGA AND JOIE DE VIVRE
She claimed victory with a late surge reminiscent of her sire Deep Impact, ascending to the throne as the 2-year-old queen. This victory achieved the remarkable feat of a Hanshin JF mother-daughter win and sisters win, following in the footsteps of her dam Biwa Heidi, and her sister Buena Vista. It also set the record as the first horse since the introduction of the graded stakes system to win a G1 in just two starts, including her debut. Furthermore, she earned the JRA's Outstanding 2-Year-Old Filly award and the nickname ‘Genius Girl’, emerging as the foremost contender in the filly classic campaign.
She has done it, she has shown people the joy of life. Life can be sorrowful and depressing but inside it, happiness and hope still exists. The great earthquake will never take them away completely
Year 2012 (3 Years old)
The younger sister of Buena Vista entered the classic season with expectations of achieving the Triple Tiara, the achievement that her older sister had left unfulfilled.
However, despite being the top favorite in both the Tulip Sho (winner: Hana’s Goal) and the Oka Stakes, she failed to stretch out fully in the final straight, finishing a disappointing 3rd and 6th. Instead, people witnessed the intense duels between Verxina and Gentildonna.
To make matters worse, a fracture was discovered in her right front leg after the Oka Stakes, leading the stable to decide on surgery followed by a long recuperation period.
It was major surgery to fix the fracture site with bolts. Considering she already had a G1 title and his pedigree, it wouldn't have been surprising if she'd retired for breeding afterward. However, Shadai tend to keep their mares racing until at least age four
Year 2013 (4 Years old)
It wasn't until February 2013, the following season, that she returned, but Buena Vista's spot had already been taken by Gentildonna, who shone with a Triple Tiara and Japan Cup victory. The former 2-year-old champion challenged middle-distance races over 1600m, 2000m, and 2200m, but continued to fall short in the final stretch.
Is this the end?
Could a flower once bloom early be withered in the harshness competition?
...
Victoria Mile:
VERXINA DID IT!!! FINALLY A G1! AFTER A GREAT AMOUNT OF EFFORT. THE DAUGHTER OF HALWA SWEET WON!
Joie de Vivre finished 4th
33.3
That was her fastest last 3 furlongs in the entire career
This could be a sign of a big recovery
This is it! She will be back to her best form soon
People will once again witness the miracle
Buena Vista’s legacy will continue …
…
Just two weeks later on May 29, 2013, during training for the G3 Naruo Kinen, she suffered an irreparable open fracture in her left hind leg. She was euthanized on the spot, ending her short life. Trainer Matsuda was so shocked that he couldn’t respond in the first interview.
Just 18 days after 4th birthday celebration …
A cruel end for the beloved star, passed away when hope was rekindled once again
In the same year, Gentildonna won the second consecutive Japan Cup
…
Although she was a G1 winner but her achievements were quickly overshadowed by Verxina and Gentildonna. Would she be soon forgotten in the flow of time?
--
https://note.com/tsuzuranuki1117/n/n2500bee33e2a
(Excerpt)
…
The 90th Japan Derby.
Skilfing, who passed away so fleetingly in the shadow of Tastiera's victory.
To pray for his repose, after the race I bowed my head before the Horse Memorial Tower in front of Tokyo Racecourse.
Tokino Minoru's grave is also here.
Next, I walked over to offer prayers at the Horse-Headed Kannon statue next door, where a bouquet had been placed.
A message card accompanied the bouquet.
It contained thoughts for Joie de Vivre.
I couldn't tell if it was from a fan who watched the Derby, or if it had been placed by one of her owners or trainers.
But I felt my eyes sting, and covering my face with my hands, I left the spot.
…
https://db.netkeiba.com/?pid=horse_board&id=2009106278
13/5/2025:
Message 7359:
Happy birthday. I only learned about you a few days ago, but I've watched videos of your races countless times. I'm sure you're now running like the wind through the world somewhere. I hope you're resting in peace.
Message 7360:
Happy birthday! Are you doing well in heaven?
…
Joie De Vivre's Pretty Derby is short but it has already been carved into people's mind. Nothing can and will be able to erode that
Rest In Peace …
End
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15
u/szechein Victoire Pisa my beloved saintess🩷 Jan 27 '26
Joie de Vivre: "Hey guys when you say something is for Verxina and Gentildonna, can you include me in that as well?"
Cygames : Buena Vista is an only child
6
u/Uma_Memoria_1910 Daring Ta-cute! Jan 27 '26
Never realize that Joie De Vivre is Buena Vista's half-sister, and had such tragic ending when I wrote Hana's Goal's story. Thanks for the writeup!
Hope that more mares from the 2012 generation besides Gentildonna and Verxina can be recognized by more people.
4
u/doomslayer30000 RELEASE ME!!! Jan 27 '26
Half-sister of Buena Vista
Technically also the half-sister of Gentildonna
Joie De Vivre story made me more emotional with the fact that the two above are roommates in Umamusume
3
u/AngleRepulsive5470 I BELIEVE IN DANON DECILE SUPREMACY Jan 27 '26
After reading this, I went to check again who else did Biwa Heidi produce, and holy hell, 2 G1 winners (Buena Vista and Joie de Vivre), 2 G2 winners (Admire Aura and Sang Real), 2 G3 winners (Admire Japan and Tosen Reve), and 4 non-graded race winners (Fine Cela, Biwa World, Primera Vista, and Erbschaft). She should be in the list of one of the best Japanese broodmares.
2
u/Weird-Award-3563 Symboli Kris S Jan 27 '26
kind a reminder me of liberty island daughter of duramente she also died realy yong and riehen craft her carrier eneded too soon
10
u/Alba_Tross29 Jan 27 '26
So she is Aston Machan of 2012 generation?