Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

What was finally sent was a set of renovation plans that Ma Hanya described as "not up to standard":

A row of three P (Perfect) stables and a double stable of twelve E (Excellent) stables, along with related functional areas

A rehabilitation training center that includes a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, hydrotherapy room, treadmill room, and data monitoring room

Top-grade breeding warehouse with integrated steel frame and Polytrack G4 buffer layer

A living area consisting of ten townhouses and five independent houses

· Well-decorated theme shops and horse racing museum

Even with this "bankruptcy version" of the plan, the total cost easily exceeded US$350 million.

However, this plan does perfectly meet the requirements of a "production and sightseeing ranch with inter-seasonal grazing and recuperation functions."

If the assets that can be exchanged for the amulets are also taken into account, Kitano can afford the huge cost of renovation.

Of course, it is impossible to carry out the reconstruction according to this plan completely.

No matter how passionate you are about horse racing, if you don't know how to make multiple preparations like Inaba's white rabbit, you will suffer a big loss sooner or later.

After cutting out the twelve E-class stables and breeding warehouses that are temporarily unused in the plan, Ma Hanya also expressed his willingness to transfer some of the overly expensive rehabilitation facilities at a depreciated price.

The final renovation cost was $268 million.

If the cost is distributed over each stage, it is not an unbearable expense.

Of course, even if the transformation plan is preliminarily confirmed, it is not so easy to start right away.

Both the feasibility assessment of the plan and the preliminary construction exploration require a certain amount of time.

Especially considering that some facilities still need the arrival of the Australian team before formal construction can begin.

"As for me, I still plan to invest in the renovation in stages."

After taking the hot tea brought by Ogawa Kana and thanking her quietly, Kitano continued.

"Renovation in stages is a good approach."

Ogawa Jō held the teacup in both hands and nodded.

After that, the three of them chatted about various topics.

"Mr. Kitano, would you like to try to go to this year's breeding mare auction?"

Ogawa Kana asked in a low voice while pouring tea into Kitano's cup.

"Thank you."

After nodding slightly, Kitano said, "I won't go this year."

Even without considering the potential large expenditures on purchasing the ranch and the subsequent renovations, he also had little interest in the remaining mares on the ranch.

"It focuses on support functions between seasons, and takes an elite approach in production."

This was Kitano's early plan for the ranch.

If we really can't find any mare resources worth purchasing, it won't be too late to start production management after Sakuya retires.

Before that, just focus on building facilities, recruiting personnel and increasing reputation.

"It's better not to go, so as not to waste a few days."

An expression of understanding appeared on Ogawa Jō's face, and Ogawa Kanna beside him also nodded like a kitten as if to confirm.

Afterwards, the three of them drank tea and talked a lot of gossip about the ranch.

By the time Kitano returned to Shinkansen Town, raindrops had already started to fall sporadically.

"We're moving soon—"

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(Same) MEJIRO Business has reposted

"A tribute to our new friend @MejiroShoji in the Northern Hemisphere"

——Ciaron Maher Racing

I had food poisoning today and vomited almost the entire day. I only have one update.

The layout and typos can only be corrected tomorrow morning.

Please forgive me, readers.

Chapter 140 Beyond the Clouds

On the morning of July 3rd, the sticky moisture left after the rain enveloped the Dajing Racecourse.

"So fast--"

An exclamation came from the horse trainer at the railing.

The petite chestnut figure emerged from the outer lane like lightning, leaving the other four horses participating in the test behind in an instant.

The time for 800 meters was 51.2 seconds.

Although on paper he was marked "qualified" like the other test horses, there was no doubt about his potential.

"How's it, Ayi? I told you it's a good horse!"

After reporting the passing of the ability test to the horse owner, Majima patted the railing and shouted to the rider on the horse.

"Hey, hey, this will put more pressure on me."

Taking off his slightly fogged goggles, a trace of helplessness flashed across the face of the rider known as Ayi.

"This child must be paired with the best rider."

With this obsession, Majima repeatedly invited his junior Sasagawa Tsubasa from his former rider days to commission him.

Of course, Sasakawa didn't accept the commission entirely because of the rogue senior's persistence.

His grandfather, Konomura Yoshimatsu, served as the manager of the Shirai Breeding Farm at Nishiyama Ranch for a considerable period of time.

Since I was six or seven years old, before I became a rider, I have had a deep connection with the Xishan title.

The Kitano horse owner with the white eyes has a close relationship with Mr. Nishiyama, regardless of age difference.

At the end of last year, Mr. Nishiyama introduced the owner of Kitano Horse, who was preparing to enter Oi, to Sasagawa.

Due to various reasons, we have only had the opportunity to cooperate now.

but--

As soon as his fingertips brushed the horse's neck, the chestnut-haired horse beneath him shrank its neck reflexively.

It is exactly as what is said in the rider circle.

The racehorses owned by the North Wild Horse Owner are all guys with weird tempers.

Even wearing a full-fledged mask and blindfold, he could still clearly feel the discomfort coming from the horse's back.

She was afraid of the horses in front and behind her, the grass and mud flying around her, and even the reflection of the railings on the track could make Atalanta feel scared.

The type who is completely unsuitable for running among horses.

Coupled with his overly petite body, there was probably only one way of running that was suitable for this child.

However, the trainer gave completely opposite instructions.

"No escape allowed."

This was within Sasakawa's expectations.

While it is certainly very entertaining, it is also obvious that the Great Escape Method is very harmful to the horse's body.

It's not surprising that the camp consisting of Kitano Mama and Majima-senpai would make such a request.

“Similarly, running in the front should be avoided as much as possible.”

Such a requirement is a bit of a headache.

Even in an 800m test with only five horses running, it is not easy to do this.

Atalanta itself is not a difficult type to control, and her fear of gates is also easily overcome.

From this point of view, the ranch responsible for the training work was really helpful.

However, it’s a different story when you’re among a group of horses.

"It's so scary, let me get out of here!"

In the test just now, this kind of emotion was conveyed through the tight reins throughout the whole process.

"I almost broke my hand just now, Majima-senpai."

Handing the reins to the stable attendant waiting nearby, Sasakawa rubbed his wrist and complained.

“There is indeed such a problem—”

The smugness on Majima's face instantly disappeared a lot.

"But can't you try a little harder?"

The trainer asked as he trotted to keep up with the rider.

"There's no way I'm running like this in a real race—"

The humid air of the rainy season was wrapped in sweat, sticking tightly to the winning uniform.

Majima picked up the form in his hand and fanned it diligently.

Although I can't feel much wind.

"Besides, 'You have to follow the horse's temperament,' isn't that what the senior said himself?"

Throwing the goggles to the other person, Sasakawa sighed helplessly.

"Keep up the good work. How about I invite you to the teahouse next time you come to Xiaolin?"

Majima took the goggles with some hesitation and suggested as if bargaining.

"At least three times, right?"

"Deal! You can't go back on your word if you're like this."

The two walked towards the exit side by side, and Sasakawa sighed again.

He is really a troublesome senior.

When I thought about someone calling a guy like this "Master Mashima" one day in the future, my future as an Oi rider suddenly felt bleak.

"If you sigh frequently, you'll age prematurely, you see."

Before we knew it, the thick clouds had disappeared without a trace.

The trainer and rider gradually faded away, leaving only vague outlines.

A ray of warm and humid sunlight like midsummer broke through the clouds and shone onto the track.

On the other side of the clouds, the silver-gray glass curtain wall of the building silently overlooks the intersection of the port area.

In the elevator going up, my stomach felt heavy, as if I was about to vomit.

The failure of the World Riders Series seems to be a foregone conclusion.

In addition to the fact that the impact was far less than expected, they encountered great obstruction in Europe, especially in the UK.

Many racing club managers believe that this activity may squeeze out the living space of local riders and even undermine the country's horse racing tradition.

Of course, such concerns are understandable.

Not every country's horse racing club has strong funds to maintain operations.

In the UK, many young riders spend hours every day traveling back and forth between racecourses just to earn a meager prize money.

Sometimes, they even have to pay out of their own pockets to maintain this undignified and physically dangerous profession.

In addition to the hostility from the Jockey Club and riders, the horse racing atmosphere in Europe is also very different from that in Japan.

Rather than the active racehorses and riders on the track, the horse lovers there seemed to be more interested in the beer and horse racing tickets in their hands.

In Japan, the promotion of this global series has also encountered problems.

Although the reaction was not as strong as that of its European counterparts, JRA was also not optimistic about the prospects of the event.