Winning Post (series)

Winning Post (ウイニングポスト), officially abbreviated as WiPo (ウイポ) or WP, is a horse-raising simulation series first released by Koei in 1993. It is Koei's longest running sports and executive simulation IP. Kou Shibusawa, the series' general producer, aimed to create a visual IP focusing on horses sprinting in motion. He researched Japanese horse owners and popular racing tracks to replicate the care and resources for rearing a race horse that could win a Group One race.

Overview[]

The player plays as an independent horse owner in a series of games aiming to accumulate fame by entering races and raising prize race horses. The game begins with a free scenario in the 1980s, with unlimited time and no mandatory objectives. Players name their avatar, stables, secretary selection, and jockey. Horse breeding is crucial, with bloodlines determining offspring's stats. Players can breed Western and real Japanese race horses, and can upgrade their facility to own both stallions and mares.

In the game, players can designate colts or fillies for weekly training sessions to improve their stats and skills for races. The horse's progress depends on the trainer's experience and the horse's dynamics. Players receive news notices for major races and can restore funds by entering them into races. Factors affecting a horse's success include health, stats, and jockey. Super horses can intimidate players, but later titles offer the chance to breed or win them. Expansions update races, jockeys, and horses based on real-world data.

Key characters in the series who make regular comebacks are Sakurako Arima, Shuzaburo Isaka and Kikuo Takarazuka. These characters make guest appearances in Mahjong Taikai IV. Certain titles allow players to transfer their horses from preceding titles or the G1 Jockey series through save data.

Released Games[]

Winning Post
Winning Post EX
Winning Post 2
Winning Post 2 Plus
Winning Post 2 Plus with Power Kit
Winning Post 2 Program '96 - localized as Winning Post
Winning Post 2 Final '97
Winning Post 2 Program '97
Winning Post 3
Winning Post 3 with Power Up Kit
Winning Post Program '98
Winning Post 4
Winning Post 4 with Power Up Kit
Winning Post for Gameboy Advance
Winning Post 4 Program 2000
Winning Post 4 Maximum
Winning Post 4 Maximum Program 2001
Winning Post 5
Winning Post 5 with Power Up Kit
Winning Post 5 Maximum 2002
Winning Post 5 Maximum 2003
Winning Post 6
Winning Post 6 with Power Up Kit
Winning Post 6 Maximum 2004
Winning Post 6 Maximum 2005
Winning Post 6 Maximum 2006
Winning Post 7
Winning Post 7 with Power Up Kit
Winning Post 7 Maximum 2006
Winning Post 7 Maximum 2007
Winning Post 7 Maximum 2008
Winning Post World
Winning Post World 2010
Winning Post 7 2012
Winning Post 7 2013
Winning Post 8
Winning Post 8 2015
Winning Post 8 2016
Winning Post 8 2017
Winning Post 8 2018
Winning Post 9
Winning Post - discontinued mobile companion application for Winning Post 7
100man-nin no Winning Post - by DeNA and Mobage
Pachislot Winning Post
Winning Post Stallion

Related Media[]

Promotional booths for horse racing IPs are frequently seen at Japanese Racing Association events. Koei published a fan mook series, Winning Post Tsushin, which was featured in their second collaboration, Real Escape, in October 2013.

Music from the first game was performed for the GAME SYMPHONY JAPAN 24th CONCERT KOEI TECMO Special ~Shibusawa Kou 35th Anniversary~ orchestra concert.