Umamusume: Pretty Derby is packed with incredible characters, each bringing their own flair and racing strategy to the track. But when it comes to dominating on Turf or Dirt, only a handful truly stand out as S-tier performers. These racers don’t just rely on Speed—they bring a winning combination of growth rates, skill synergy, and surface adaptability that turns them into race-day legends.
In this post, we’re highlighting seven of the best S-tier Umamusume characters in 2025, ranked for their consistent performance, flexibility, and overpowering race-day presence. Whether you're a seasoned trainer or a newcomer, these picks are top-tier investments for competitive racing.
Best S-Tier Characters in Umamusume: Pretty Derby
1. Gold Ship – The Unpredictable Powerhouse
Gold Ship is an unpredictable yet devastating force on long-distance Turf tracks. With a +10% Power and +20% Stamina bonus, she’s a marathon expert perfect for events like Tenno Sho (Spring). Her unique skill, Anchors Aweigh!, triggers mid-race and grants a powerful sustained speed boost.
While she requires careful stat management, once optimized, Gold Ship becomes nearly unbeatable in endurance races, making her a fan-favorite and meta staple.
2. Special Week – The All-Rounder Queen
Special Week shines in medium-distance races, offering unmatched flexibility and race stability. With a +20% Speed and +10% Power boost, she’s built to handle 2000 m tracks with ease. Her skill, Shooting Star, gives her a speed surge when overtaking an opponent during the second half of the race.
Special Week is ideal for both Pace-Chaser and Late-Surger strategies, making her an adaptable and strategic addition to any team.
3. Tokai Teio – The Comeback Specialist
Tokai Teio is a top-tier pick for medium and long-distance races, excelling as a Pace-Chaser. With +20% Speed and +10% Stamina, she balances endurance with explosive finishing speed. Her unique skill, Certain Victory, activates when overtaking opponents near the front, turning the tide of a close race.
Backed by stamina-saving and positioning skills, Tokai Teio consistently pulls off incredible comebacks—earning her a place among the elite.
4. Daiwa Scarlet – The Relentless Front-Runner
Daiwa Scarlet is the definition of a dominant Front-Runner. With a +20% Guts and +10% Speed bonus, she thrives in the lead and holds her ground under pressure. Her skill, Resplendent Red Ace, grants a velocity and acceleration boost in the second half, ideal when she’s either leading or head-to-head with a rival.
Once she grabs the lead, Daiwa Scarlet rarely lets go, making her a staple pick for trainers who prefer aggressive tactics.
5. Maruzensky – The Final Corner Finisher
Maruzensky blends speed and intelligence perfectly, boasting a +10% Speed and +20% Wit bonus. Her strong activation rates make her a consistent skill user, which is crucial for her style as a Front-Runner. Her signature skill, Red Shift / LP1211-M, delivers a high-speed burst on the final corner, often securing her the win.
With solid performance on both Turf and Dirt, she offers incredible flexibility for varied event types.
6. Mejiro McQueen – The Queen of Endurance
Mejiro McQueen is built for long-haul dominance. Her +10% to Speed, Stamina, and Guts makes her well-rounded and extremely effective in long-distance races (like 3,200 m events). Her skill, Legacy of the Strong, activates when challenged late in a race, giving her the edge to break ahead.
As a Pace-Chaser, she mixes offense and defense perfectly—a must-have for marathon races.
7. Oguri Cap – The Versatile Ace
Oguri Cap is arguably the most adaptable Umamusume. With +15% Speed and +15% Power, she excels across Short, Mile, and Medium distances, and dominates on both Turf and Dirt. This versatility allows her to slot into nearly any race type or strategy.
Her raw stats and flexible nature make Oguri Cap an S-tier powerhouse, perfect for trainers who want a consistent performer across multiple formats.
If you’re building a championship team in Umamusume: Pretty Derby, these seven characters are the perfect place to start. Whether you need a long-distance specialist like Gold Ship, a well-rounded lead like Special Week, or a flexible all-star like Oguri Cap, these picks give you the competitive edge needed to succeed across all race types.
Be sure to pair them with the right support cards and stat priorities to unleash their full potential!
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