# Nice Nature

Nice Nature (Japanese: ナイスネイチャ, April 16, 1988 – May 30, 2023) was a Japanese thoroughbred racehorse. From his debut in 1990 to his retirement in 1996, Nice Nature had a record of 41 starts and 7 wins, including 4 major wins. With a long GI racing career and often placing third, Nice Nature gained popularity as the "Bronze Collector". Nice Nature consecutively placed third in the 1991, 1992, and 1993 Arima Kinen. Before his death, Nice Nature was the oldest living stallion to have a JRA major win.

## Background

Nice Nature was born in 1988 at the Watanabe Ranch in Urakawa, Hokkaido. His sire, Nice Dancer, had six major wins in Canada, and his dam, Urakawa Miyuki, had three wins, including the 1984 open of what would become the Tulip Sho. Nice Nature's to-be owner Toyoshima Masao made a deposit at Watanabe Ranch. According to the owner of the ranch Watanabe Kazuma, Nice Nature was average as a foal, nor did he stand out in the training ranch. However, Watanabe vaguely alluded that he felt that Nice Nature might be just as good as Nice Nice Nice, also out of Nice Dancer and the winner of the 1989 Kisaragi Sho and 1990 Kyōto Kinen. Nice Nature's to-be trainer Matsunaga Yoshiharu quickly embraced the impression of a "good horse", saying that he felt that things were moving in a "good direction" as he looked at Nice Nature's growth.
After reaching the racing age of three years in 1990, Nice Nature transferred to the Rittō Training Center in Rittō, Shiga under Matsunaga. After Nice Nature's older sister suffered a career ending injury, Nice Nature was trained cautiously and debuted relatively late in December.

## Racing career

Nice Nature won 4 major races, the Kokura Kinen, the Kyoto Shimbun Hai, and Naruo Kinen, all in 1991, as well as the Takamatsunomiya Kinen in 1994. Nice Nature has also started in a total of 34 group races throughout his career, including 16 GI races, which was a record at the time.

## Post-retirement

Nice Nature was retired from racing in late 1996 in spite of initial plans to have the horse run in that year's Arima Kinen due to problems on his right forearm. The horse was sent to Hidaka Stallion Station to stand at stud, but retired in 2001 after siring a total of 17 registered horses. Alongside standing at stud, Nice Nature also became the poster character announcing the introduction of Quinella Place betting in JRA races in 1999.
Nice Nature spent the remainder of his life pensioned at the Watanabe Ranch, the same farm where he was bred.

## Popular culture

Nice Nature was the inspiration for the character of the same name in the franchise Uma Musume Pretty Derby. Consequently, players of Uma Musume have raised tens of millions of yen each year in celebration for Nice Nature's birthday donation. The developers of the Uma Musume game, as well as Kaori Maeda, who voiced Nice Nature in the franchise, were among those who sent their condolences upon Nice Nature's passing.

## Death

Nice Nature died on May 30, 2023, at the age of 35.

## Racing statistics

Below data is based on data available on JBIS Search and netkeiba.com.
| Date | Track | Race | Grade | Distance (Condition) | Entry | HN | Odds (Favored) | Finish | Time | Margins | Jockey | Winner (Runner-up) |
| 1990 – two-year-old season |||||||||||||
| Dec 2, 1990 | Kyoto | 2yo Newcomer | | 1,200m (Firm) | 11 | 3 | 3.9 (3rd) | 2nd | 1:11.9 | 0.0 | M. Matsunaga | Koei Royal |
| Dec 15, 1990 | Kyoto | 2yo Newcomer | | 1,400m (Standard) | 9 | 4 | 1.7 (1st) | 1st | 1:26.1 | -0.1 | M. Matsunaga | (Prairie Love) |
| 1991 – three-year-old season |||||||||||||
| Jan 5, 1991 | Kyoto | Fukujoso Tokubetsu | ALW | 2,000m (Firm) | 15 | 2 | 6.3 (3rd) | 6th | 2:04.2 | 1.2 | M. Matsunaga | Sister Tosho |
| Jan 19, 1991 | Kyoto | Wakagoma Stakes | OP | 2,000m (Firm) | 9 | 7 | 18.2 (5th) | 3rd | 2:02.5 | 1.1 | M. Matsunaga | Tokai Teio |
| Jul 6, 1991 | Chukyo | Nadeshiko Sho | ALW | 1,800m (Good) | 10 | 3 | 5.6 (3rd) | 2nd | 1:50.4 | 0.0 | M. Matsunaga | Shirokita Teio |
| Jul 28, 1991 | Kokura | Shiranui Tokubetsu | ALW | 1,800m (Firm) | 12 | 2 | 1.7 (1st) | 1st | 1:49.8 | -0.4 | M. Matsunaga | (Pierre Marie) |
| Aug 10, 1991 | Kokura | Hazuki Sho | ALW | 1,800m (Soft) | 9 | 4 | 2.0 (1st) | 1st | 1:49.6 | -0.2 | M. Matsunaga | (Second Caesar) |
| Aug 25, 1991 | Kokura | Kokura Kinen | G3 | 2,000m (Firm) | 10 | 7 | 2.5 (1st) | 1st | 2:02.7 | -0.3 | M. Matsunaga | (Nuevo Tosho) |
| Oct 13, 1991 | Kyoto | Kyoto Shimbun Hai | G2 | 2,200m (Firm) | 14 | 11 | 3.3 (2nd) | 1st | 2:15.6 | -0.1 | M. Matsunaga | (Ibuki Maikagura, Shako Grade) |
| Nov 3, 1991 | Kyoto | Kikuka Sho | G1 | 3,000m (Firm) | 18 | 5 | 5.2 (2nd) | 4th | 3:09.8 | 0.3 | M. Matsunaga | Leo Durban |
| Dec 8, 1991 | Hanshin | Naruo Kinen | G2 | 2,500m (Firm) | 11 | 8 | 1.9 (1st) | 1st | 2:36.3 | -0.1 | M. Matsunaga | (Mr. Cyclennon) |
| Dec 22, 1991 | Nakayama | Arima Kinen | G1 | 2,500m (Firm) | 15 | 5 | 8.7 (2nd) | 3rd | 2:31.1 | 0.5 | M. Matsunaga | Dai Yusaku |
| 1992 – four-year-old season |||||||||||||
| Oct 11, 1992 | Tokyo | Mainichi Okan | G2 | 1,800m (Firm) | 11 | 2 | 3.4 (1st) | 3rd | 1:45.9 | 0.3 | M. Matsunaga | Daitaku Helios |
| Nov 1, 1992 | Tokyo | Tenno Sho (Autumn) | G1 | 2,000m (Firm) | 18 | 11 | 3.9 (2nd) | 4th | 1:59.0 | 0.4 | M. Matsunaga | Let's Go Tarquin |
| Nov 22, 1992 | Kyoto | Mile Championship | G1 | 1,600m (Firm) | 18 | 8 | 6.9 (4th) | 3rd | 1:33.7 | 0.4 | M. Matsunaga | Daitaku Helios |
| Dec 27, 1992 | Nakayama | Arima Kinen | G1 | 2,500m (Firm) | 16 | 1 | 11.1 (4th) | 3rd | 2:33.7 | 0.2 | M. Matsunaga | Mejiro Palmer |
| 1993 – five-year-old season |||||||||||||
| Jan 24, 1993 | Kyoto | Nikkei Shinshun Hai | G2 | 2,200m (Firm) | 12 | 7 | 2.7 (1st) | 2nd | 2:14.1 | 0.1 | M. Matsunaga | El Casa River |
| Mar 14, 1993 | Hanshin | Hanshin Daishoten | G2 | 3,000m (Firm) | 11 | 7 | 1.9 (1st) | 3rd | 3:09.4 | 0.2 | K. Minai | Mejiro Palmer |
| Apr 4, 1993 | Hanshin | Sankei Osaka Hai | G2 | 2,000m (Firm) | 16 | 5 | 2.4 (2nd) | 2nd | 2:04.1 | 0.8 | M. Matsunaga | Mejiro McQueen |
| Oct 10, 1993 | Tokyo | Mainichi Okan | G2 | 1,800m (Firm) | 13 | 12 | 7.6 (4th) | 3rd | 1:45.9 | 0.4 | M. Matsunaga | Shinko Lovely |
| Oct 31, 1993 | Tokyo | Tenno Sho (Autumn) | G1 | 2,000m (Firm) | 17 | 7 | 5.6 (2nd) | 15th | 2:01.5 | 2.6 | M. Matsunaga | Yamanin Zephyr |
| Nov 28, 1993 | Tokyo | Japan Cup | G1 | 2,400m (Firm) | 16 | 11 | 39.2 (15th) | 7th | 2:25.1 | 0.7 | M. Matsunaga | Legacy World |
| Dec 26, 1993 | Nakayama | Arima Kinen | G1 | 2,500m (Firm) | 14 | 12 | 26.6 (10th) | 3rd | 2:31.6 | 0.7 | M. Matsunaga | Tokai Teio |
| 1994 – six-year-old season |||||||||||||
| Jan 23, 1994 | Nakayama | American Jockey CC | G2 | 2,200m (Firm) | 14 | 7 | 3.9 (2nd) | 7th | 2:14.7 | 0.6 | M. Matsunaga | Matikanetannhauser |
| Apr 3, 1994 | Hanshin | Sankei Osaka Hai | G2 | 2,000m (Firm) | 14 | 11 | 4.6 (3rd) | 2nd | 2:01.8 | 0.6 | M. Matsunaga | Nehai Caesar |
| Apr 24, 1994 | Hanshin | Tenno Sho (Spring) | G1 | 3,200m (Good) | 11 | 4 | 23.3 (7th) | 4th | 3:23.3 | 0.7 | M. Matsunaga | Biwa Hayahide |
| Jun 12, 1994 | Hanshin | Takarazuka Kinen | G1 | 2,200m (Firm) | 14 | 2 | 12.0 (3rd) | 4th | 2:12.4 | 1.2 | M. Matsunaga | Biwa Hayahide |
| Jul 10, 1994 | Chukyo | Takamatsunomiya Hai | G2 | 2,000m (Firm) | 13 | 12 | 8.5 (5th) | 1st | 2:00.7 | -0.1 | M. Matsunaga | (Star Ballerina) |
| Oct 9, 1994 | Tokyo | Mainichi Okan | G2 | 1,800m (Firm) | 11 | 4 | 4.5 (2nd) | 6th | 1:45.1 | 0.5 | M. Matsunaga | Nehai Caesar |
| Oct 30, 1994 | Tokyo | Tenno Sho (Autumn) | G1 | 2,000m (Firm) | 13 | 5 | 30.4 (6th) | 7th | 1:59.1 | 0.5 | M. Matsunaga | Nehai Caesar |
| Nov 27, 1994 | Tokyo | Japan Cup | G1 | 2,400m (Firm) | 14 | 11 | 23.3 (11th) | 8th | 2:24.4 | 0.8 | M. Matsunaga | Marvelous Crown |
| Dec 15, 1994 | Nakayama | Arima Kinen | G1 | 2,500m (Firm) | 13 | 9 | 46.0 (11th) | 5th | 2:33.3 | 1.1 | M. Matsunaga | Narita Brian |
| 1995 – seven-year-old season |||||||||||||
| Feb 12, 1995 | Kyoto | Kyoto Kinen | G2 | 2,200m (Firm) | 8 | 6 | 7.7 (4th) | 2nd | 2:12.0 | 0.2 | M. Matsunaga | Wako Chikako |
| Oct 8, 1995 | Kyoto | Kyoto Daishoten | G2 | 2,400m (Firm) | 13 | 1 | 13.0 (5th) | 8th | 2:26.0 | 0.7 | M. Matsunaga | Hishi Amazon |
| Nov 26, 1995 | Tokyo | Japan Cup | G1 | 2,400m (Firm) | 14 | 15 | 46.9 (13th) | 13th | 2:26.2 | 1.6 | M. Matsunaga | Lando |
| Dec 24, 1995 | Nakayama | Arima Kinen | G1 | 2,500m (Firm) | 12 | 5 | 43.1 (10th) | 9th | 2:35.4 | 1.8 | M. Matsunaga | Mayano Top Gun |
| 1996 – eight-year-old season |||||||||||||
| Mar 17, 1996 | Chukyo | Chukyo Kinen | G3 | 2,000m (Good) | 16 | 16 | 9.8 (7th) | 4th | 2:02.6 | 0.4 | M. Matsunaga | Inazuma Takao |
| Apr 6, 1996 | Nakayama | Lord Derby Challenge | G3 | 1,600m (Firm) | 16 | 16 | 30.3 (10th) | 6th | 1:33.8 | 0.4 | M. Matsunaga | Fujino Makken O |
| May 11, 1996 | Kyoto | Keihan Hai | G3 | 2,200m (Firm) | 16 | 4 | 10.8 (5th) | 8th | 2:13.6 | 0.8 | M. Matsunaga | Dance Partner |
| Oct 27, 1996 | Tokyo | Tenno Sho (Autumn) | G1 | 2,000m (Firm) | 17 | 2 | 93.6 (14th) | 10th | 1:59.7 | 1.0 | M. Matsunaga | Bubble Gum Fellow |
| Nov 16, 1996 | Tokyo | Copa Republica Argentina | G2 | 2,500m (Firm) | 18 | 2 | 17.5 (10th) | 15th | 2:34.0 | 2.2 | M. Matsunaga | L-Way Win |
Legend:
 Turf  Dirt

## Pedigree

Pedigree of Nice Nature (JPN), bay stallion, 1988 :
| Sire Nice Dancer (CAN) b. 1969 | Northern Dancer (CAN) b. 1961 | Nearactic (CAN) | Nearco (ITY) |
| Sire Nice Dancer (CAN) b. 1969 | Northern Dancer (CAN) b. 1961 | Nearactic (CAN) | Lady Angela (GB) |
| Sire Nice Dancer (CAN) b. 1969 | Northern Dancer (CAN) b. 1961 | Natalma (USA) | Native Dancer (USA) |
| Sire Nice Dancer (CAN) b. 1969 | Northern Dancer (CAN) b. 1961 | Natalma (USA) | Almahmoud (USA) |
| Sire Nice Dancer (CAN) b. 1969 | Nice Princess (USA) ch. 1964 | Le Beau Prince (FR) | Fontenay (FR) |
| Sire Nice Dancer (CAN) b. 1969 | Nice Princess (USA) ch. 1964 | Le Beau Prince (FR) | Quillerie |
| Sire Nice Dancer (CAN) b. 1969 | Nice Princess (USA) ch. 1964 | Happy Night (FR) | Alizier (FR) |
| Sire Nice Dancer (CAN) b. 1969 | Nice Princess (USA) ch. 1964 | Happy Night (FR) | Happy Grace (GB) |
| Dam Urakawa Miyuki (JPN) b. 1981 | Habitony (IRE) b. 1974 | Habitat (USA) | Sir Gaylord (USA) |
| Dam Urakawa Miyuki (JPN) b. 1981 | Habitony (IRE) b. 1974 | Habitat (USA) | Little Hut (USA) |
| Dam Urakawa Miyuki (JPN) b. 1981 | Habitony (IRE) b. 1974 | Courteous Lady (USA) | Gallant Man (GB) |
| Dam Urakawa Miyuki (JPN) b. 1981 | Habitony (IRE) b. 1974 | Courteous Lady (USA) | Fleurlea (USA) |
| Dam Urakawa Miyuki (JPN) b. 1981 | Kenmaru Midori (JPN) b. 1971 | Kenmaru Chikara (JPN) | Hindostan (GB) |
| Dam Urakawa Miyuki (JPN) b. 1981 | Kenmaru Midori (JPN) b. 1971 | Kenmaru Chikara (JPN) | Mikazuki (JPN) |
| Dam Urakawa Miyuki (JPN) b. 1981 | Kenmaru Midori (JPN) b. 1971 | Ken Midori (JPN) | Guersant (FR) |
| Dam Urakawa Miyuki (JPN) b. 1981 | Kenmaru Midori (JPN) b. 1971 | Ken Midori (JPN) | Velvet (FR) |
Family No.: F20-c
Inbreeding within 5 generations: None
Retrieved from Nice Nature's profile on JBIS (Japan Bloodstock Information Database)
Nice Nature's dam Urakawa Miyuki died on June 2, 2017, at the age of 36, making her the longest lived female thoroughbred in Japan to have been properly documented.