If you’ve spent any time in the chaotic world of Uma Musume Pretty Derby, you know that Cygames doesn’t just make cute "horse girls." They build personalities out of weird, obscure history. Enter Tanino Gimlet. She’s not just some edgy goth with a penchant for destruction. Honestly, she’s one of the most fascinating reflections of a real-life powerhouse to ever hit the game.
People see the eyepatch and the philosophical rambling and think, "Okay, she’s just a chuunibyou archetype." But there’s a lot more under the hood. The real Tanino Gimlet was a beast on the track. He won the 2002 Tokyo Yushun (the Japanese Derby) in a way that left people's jaws on the floor. In the game? She captures that raw, slightly terrifying energy perfectly.
The Legend of the Destroyed Fences
Let’s talk about the fences. If you follow the real-life retirement of the stallion Tanino Gimlet at Versailles Farm, you know he has a... hobby. He kicks fences. A lot. He’s destroyed dozens of them. It’s become a literal tourist attraction and a meme in the horse racing community.
Cygames leaned into this hard. In Uma Musume, Tanino Gimlet is obsessed with "destruction" as a form of creation. It’s her aesthetic. She talks about the transience of life while eyeing a piece of wood like it owes her money.
It’s hilarious. But it’s also smart character design. It bridges the gap between a hardcore racing sim and a character-driven gacha. Most players come for the cute designs, but they stay because the "inside jokes" for racing fans are everywhere. When she’s staring down a fence in the game, it’s a direct nod to the real horse’s stubborn, destructive personality.
Why the 2002 Derby Still Matters
You can't understand Tanino Gimlet without understanding that specific Sunday in May 2002. The Japanese Derby is the race every trainer dreams of. Gimlet didn't just win; he dominated. Ridden by the legendary Yutaka Take—who is basically the face of Japanese racing—he put on a clinic.
In the game, Gimlet’s skills reflect this "Derby King" status. She’s built for middle distances. She’s a closer.
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Watching her Chaser (Oikomi) or Betweeners (Sashi) build-up in the final straight is a rush. Her unique skill, "Schwarzer Soldat," triggers when you're making that final push. It’s not just a stat boost; it’s a visual representation of that 2002 run. You see her eyes light up, the speed increases, and she just carves through the pack.
Building a Winning Tanino Gimlet
Training her isn't exactly a walk in the park. She’s a bit of a glass cannon if you aren't careful with her stamina.
Most people mess up by focusing too much on Speed (SPD) and Power (PWR) because, well, she’s a Chaser. You need that. But if you ignore Stamina (STA) or Guts (GUT), she’ll gape out before the final turn at Tokyo Racecourse.
- Intelligence (INT) is the secret sauce. If she doesn't have the "smarts" to position herself, she’ll get boxed in. A Chaser who can't find a lane is just an expensive wallpaper.
- Support Cards: You want cards that give you "Straight Ventilation" or "Cool Down." Anything that helps with recovery or positioning in the back half of the race is vital.
- Inheritance: Look for factors that boost her Medium distance Aptitude to S. It makes a world of difference in the URA Finals or Champions Meeting.
She’s moody. Her training events can be a bit of a gamble. But when the RNG gods smile on you? She’s unstoppable.
The Philosophical Rebel Aesthetic
I love that she’s a bit of a "cool loser" sometimes. She takes herself so seriously that it becomes endearing. Her dialogue is filled with references to Shakespeare, existentialism, and "the void."
But then you see her interacting with Vodka. The relationship between Gimlet and Vodka is one of the best dynamics in the game. In real life, Tanino Gimlet is Vodka’s father. In Uma Musume, this translates to a mentor-student, almost "cool dad" vibe that is incredibly wholesome despite all the brooding.
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Vodka looks up to her. Gimlet pretends she doesn't care while secretly being the proudest person in the room. It adds a layer of heart to a character that could have easily been a one-note "edgy" trope.
How She Fits into the Current Meta
Is she the absolute best horse in the game?
Probably not the #1 tier-list breaker for every single race. But for the Tokyo 2400m? She’s a menace.
The current meta favors horses that can reliably trigger their unique skills without relying on 10 different conditions. Gimlet’s skill is relatively stable. If you’re playing in the Grand Masters or the Project L'Arc scenarios, she scales decently because her Power growth is solid.
The trick is knowing when to use her. She shines in rooms where the pace is fast. If the front-runners (Runners/逃げ) are burning each other out, Gimlet is the one who comes screaming from the back to steal the win in the last 50 meters. It’s a heart-attack style of racing, but man, it’s satisfying.
Real Talk on the Eyepatch
People keep asking: why the eyepatch?
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The real horse didn't have one eye. It’s purely a stylistic choice by Cygames to represent his "rebellious" nature and perhaps a nod to the injuries stallions can get when they're as rowdy as he is. It fits the "lone wolf" persona perfectly. Plus, let’s be real, it looks cool. In a game with 100+ characters, you need a visual hook. The eyepatch, the coat, and the "don't touch me" aura do the heavy lifting.
Final Strategy for Aspiring Trainers
If you've just pulled her, don't just dump all your points into Speed.
Start by building a solid Power base. Since she spends most of the race at the back, she needs the raw strength to push past other horses when the transition to the final straight happens.
- Prioritize Power inheritance.
- Aim for at least 600-700 Stamina for Medium tracks.
- Equip gold recovery skills like "Maestro of the Arc" if you can get them from support cards like Super Creek.
Tanino Gimlet isn't just a meme about broken fences. She’s a tribute to a horse that had a terrifying amount of talent and a personality that couldn't be tamed. Whether you’re a fan of the history or just want a badass Chaser for your roster, she’s worth the investment.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Stable
To get the most out of Tanino Gimlet right now, focus on these three things. First, check your support library for the SSR Jungle Pocket (Speed) or SSR Manhattan Cafe (Stamina) cards; these provide the specific endgame skills that complement a Chaser's late-race surge. Second, run her in the Tokyo 2400m practice races to see exactly where her Stamina peaks—if she’s slowing down before the line, you need more Stamina inheritance. Finally, make sure to pair her with "Parent" horses that have high Power and Intelligence blue factors to ensure she doesn't get stuck behind the pack during the critical middle-leg of the race. Proper positioning is the difference between a legendary comeback and a frustrating 10th-place finish.