Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

Not sure what to eat next? How about Burger King?

I saw this kind of propaganda slogan on the street.

He thought it made sense.

Unhealthy fast food that is high in oil and calories can indeed bring people happiness.

Especially when the happiness from the previous one has not yet faded away.

So, I walked slowly to the nearby Burger King.

When Kitano arrived, there were only a few employees walking back and forth in the fast food restaurant.

In addition to a personal meal consisting of a hamburger, fries and cola, he also ordered a chocolate sundae that is said to be collaborating with a movie.

He picked up the French fries and rolled them in ketchup a few times before putting them in his mouth.

The taste is average.

Just as he was about to poke the spoon into the top of the sundae mountain, a familiar-looking figure sauntered in from the doorway.

"Good morning, Mr. Kitano."

The tall and thin man greeted.

It was the reporter who had interviewed Kitano in the open-air stables before yesterday's Kentucky Derby.

"Good morning, Mr. Reporter."

Putting down the plastic spoon, Kitano nodded in response.

"Would you mind if I had the pleasure of speaking to you for a moment?"

The bald reporter stepped forward, handed over his business card, and asked politely.

【Id○l Horse】

Chief Reporter Mo Jinxian

Kitano took a look at the business card written in Chinese, English and Japanese and put it in his pocket.

"Sure, why not?"

He asked Mo Jinxian to sit down.

In the horse racing world, there are many producers and owners who are reluctant to have too much contact with the media and horse fans.

For riders and trainers, it is indeed possible to increase the probability of obtaining resources by increasing popularity.

However, for producers and horse owners, doing so will hardly bring them any substantial benefits in the short term.

Moreover, this is not in line with their consistent "business philosophy".

Kitano had no such concerns.

Despite the reputation of "Mejiro", his brain is completely that of a newcomer.

Even today, two years into my ownership career, the situation is similar.

How to become a qualified horse owner——

Even further, how to become a qualified horse breeder——

There is still no clear answer to this question.

But at least one thing is certain.

The connection with the media and even horse fans should not be simply ignored.

Almost all popular sports are characterized by high participation of off-field spectators.

Only close connections can create true support.

On this point, Kitano, who has been at Tiefu Temple for ten years, has an extremely profound understanding of it.

It wasn't even an informal private interview; the two chatted like friends.

As for the topic, it is naturally only horse racing.

Mo Jinxian quickly asked about Mejiro Sakuya.

“She might run until she’s four or five, but there won’t be any races scheduled for at least the short term.”

Kitano said while stirring the sundae in his hand.

"We plan to have Sakuya undergo leg surgery in the near future, which will help her in her future life and competition ability."

When talking about the details of the operation, the reporter's eyes gradually became straight.

Pushing his glasses, Mo Jinxian quickly asked Kitano about his thoughts on the next competition.

"If her recovery from the surgery goes well, we will try to arrange a less competitive match for her at the end of the year."

"Of course, it's possible that it won't."

Kitano went on to add: "But at least this year, the Breeders' Cup Series is too early for her."

It is not a wise choice to rashly participate in high-level competitions after surgery and a long period of rest.

Mo Jinxian nodded, looking thoughtful.

The sundae in Kitano's hand had turned completely brown.

He poured the half-melted sundae into his mouth like a milkshake.

During the chat, the topic turned from horse racing.

I learned a lot about exotic customs from Mo Jinxian, who was a journalist.

In this regard, Kitano, who has traveled abroad several times, is completely incomparable.

His meager overseas experience can be described as a transfer between racecourses.

Kitano shook the Coke, and the ice cubes at the bottom of the cup made a "crackling" sound.

Putting down the cup, he asked the reporter for his opinion on the ranch with a try-it attitude.

In response to this, Mo Jinxian expressed his lack of relevant knowledge very honestly.

But he still tried to point Kitano in a direction.

"If we're just talking about horse racing management, Australia's Mahanya is undoubtedly at the forefront of the industry."

After hearing this, Kitano nodded slightly.

But the action of nodding was inevitably mixed with an indescribable subtle expression.

"Australia?"

His information about the Australian horse racing world was very limited.

And it is basically dominated by negative aspects.

For example, last year the ATC (Australian Turf Club) nearly collapsed due to a $5 billion debt.

For example, a considerable number of Australian riders and trainers, including Davenport and Gansmin, have spontaneously "fled" from this land.

Lack of funds, outdated facilities, and brain drain——

Multiply the problems faced by NAR several times, and this is the situation ATC is facing now.

However, he still took note of Mo Jinxian's suggestion.

After finishing half the burger in his hand in a few bites, Kitano stood up and said goodbye to the reporters.

Watching the young horse owner's departing back, Mo Jinxian's eyes were calm behind his thin-framed glasses.

Curious yet restrained, bold yet steady, and with undisguised ambition in his words—

Will he witness the birth of another Japanese Owner Breeder?

Mo Jinxian believes that the answer to this question will naturally be revealed one day in the near future.

Picking up the unopened hamburger, the reporter hurriedly stood up.

He had to hurry and start working while the inspiration was still there.

The interview that I conducted on the spur of the moment not long ago seemed to be a good material.

Thanks to Yiyifei for the 500 starting coins reward

Thank you for your support

Ciallo～(∠ω<)⌒★

Chapter 130 Two Concepts

"Then I'll leave it to Mr. Kimura."

At Louisville Airport, Kitano said his final goodbye.

"Don't worry, leave it to me!"

Kimura nodded seriously, picked up the suitcase and agreed.

Entrusted by Kitano, Katuna will be temporarily placed at Xinsheng Ranch to start his second life as a retired horse.

A few days ago, the Kentucky Expedition was officially disbanded.

Although NAR had planned a welcoming ceremony, it had to be temporarily canceled after the news of Mejiro Sakuya's surgery was announced.

The first to leave was the rider Hotan.

After winning the Kentucky Derby, it seemed like the requests for rides kept coming.

Then there are the brother and sister Huangshan and Xuhe.

After handing over to the Johns Hopkins University team, the trainer hurried back home.

On Kitano's side, the procedure for canceling the horse racing took a little time.

However, it's time to leave.

"Then we'll see each other when we get back to the country."

Taking a deep breath, Kimura's gaze lingered on Kitano's face for a while.

To provide for the retirement of a newly purchased and worthless gelding—

If this kind of thing were to be made public, it would definitely cause a lot of ridicule.

However, Kimura secretly admired Kitano for making such a decision.

Then, I inadvertently remembered a rumor——

Compared to Toyokichi, this Kitano is more like Kyohiro.

The independent side of his personality can indeed be felt to some extent.

In any case, as a production ranch, we have indeed received care.

After learning that Cartoona was also a member of the "Meritorious Group" of the Kentucky Derby, Kimura took the initiative to offer to deposit him.

Speaking of which, the brother and sister from the Xuhe family seemed to have some strange looks in their eyes at that time.

Shaking his head, Kimura drove away some distracting thoughts from his mind.

"Well, see you back home."

Kitano raised his hand, and Kimura's figure gradually disappeared from his sight.

The two people's flights had similar times and were heading in the same direction, but they were heading to different destinations.

Kitano will travel to Sydney, Australia via a connecting flight via Los Angeles.

There, he will have the opportunity to witness the horse racing management that Mo Jinxian said is "at the forefront of the industry."

Thanks to the cooperation of Fujita, who is also the owner of the horse, Ma Hanya and his CMR (Ciaron Maher Racing) team agreed to Kitano's request to visit.

They will open the most advanced of CMR's eight training facilities across Australia to Kitano.

Bang Bang Ranch in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.

At the beginning, Kitano thought that Ma Hanya was a horse owner or a horse breeder.

I was shocked to learn that he was a trainer who managed more than 500 racehorses.