Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

"no problem!"

The two agreed.

"Then let's go eat."

"Long live the boss!"

Zep, who was bending over and examining the horseshoe, joined in the conversation.

"Long live the president!"

"Most High President—"

Outside the stables, cumulonimbus clouds rolled and expanded as if they were about to overtake Mount Hidaka.

The sky behind the white clouds is as blue as a curtain.

After a brief exchange with the head of the new stable construction team, Kitano started the car.

Then, meet up with the three people waiting at the ranch entrance.

The ranch warehouse naturally has emergency instant food, but it is too shabby for a first dinner party.

When it comes to places to dine, there aren't many options.

Unless you drive a long way to Urakawa or Shin-Hidaka Honmachi, there are only a handful of restaurants nearby.

There is actually only one place suitable for a dinner party.

A Japanese restaurant called "Bear's Pan" is located at the intersection of Yujun Romantic Street and Mikawa Sanishi Parking Lot Line.

When the four of them arrived, the store had just opened for lunch.

The restaurant is about 15 tatami mats in size, with only a square table in the middle and various daily necessities and children's toys scattered in the corners.

Rather than a restaurant, it is more like an activity center for the townspeople.

Although it is a Japanese restaurant, the menu is quite comprehensive.

Or, maybe the so-called Japanese-Italian food, Japanese-French food and other Japanese-style Western food are also counted as Japanese cuisine.

After taking the menu from the proprietress, Granny Miwako, Kitano handed it to the three people.

Lavid ordered a spicy curry pork chop rice, while Rachel Ho had black honey and soy milk with kinako and fried kogura ice cream.

Zep ate more. In addition to the same teppanyaki steak set meal as Kitano, he also ordered two extra servings of red bean rice cake soup.

Since they still had work to do in the afternoon, none of them drank.

Of course, Zep is not old enough to drink yet.

After learning this, both Lavid and Rachel Ho were a little surprised.

When Miwako's mother-in-law brought out the drinks, Rachel Ho clapped her hands and said seriously, "I'm eating."

Zep, who was drinking a drink, coughed violently several times.

Even the corners of Lavid's mouth relaxed, a rare occurrence.

“Just use the method you are used to.”

Kitano explained to the somewhat bewildered girl with a smile.

After everyone started eating, Zepu asked vaguely while chewing rice cake, "Are we going to the auction this year, Boss?"

Rachel Ho and Lavid also cast curious glances.

Kitano's vision as a personal horse owner, or his "horse luck," is well-known in the horse racing circles of both Japan and the United States.

However, if you participate in the auction as a ranch operator, you need to consider slightly different situations.

"Forget about the Select Auction, but I can give the Summer Auction a try."

Kitano answered while cutting the sizzling meat with a knife and fork.

Most of the horses auctioned at the Hokkaido Selection are yearlings and yearlings with unpopular or less outstanding pedigrees, but which have shown certain potential.

It is not the current priority.

As for the Northern and Shetai Select Clubs, which have more excellent bloodlines to choose from—

Even if he still had some spare money, he wouldn't be stupid enough to compete with those wealthy people who were using tax deductions.

The future direction of bloodline development, or the main selling point of the ranch, was considered a long time ago.

Kitano decided to make a name for the ranch on the dirt track first.

This year's auction actually has only one focus.

The first Tuesday in November is the broodmare auction at Keeneland Auction House in Lexington, Kentucky.

He was also attracted by the Keeneland September Yearling Sale held by the same auction house in September, but the funds available to him meant that Kitano could only choose one of the two.

This is the battlefield for super horse breeders from Europe, Australia and even Japan.

If you want to twirl the lion's mane, the more money you have on hand, the better.

In addition, although Keeneland Auction House has provided online auction services to global buyers in recent years, it is still inevitable to go to Kentucky in person.

after all--

[Detector] can only be used face to face.

------------

Results of the 8 Councillors' Election

Representative Director:

Yoshitaka Nakamura

Acting President:

西村和夫

Akitani Hisayuki

Supervisor:

Otaka Chaoyuki

Kitano Yuki

Hokkaido Racing Club

——"The 2nd Horse Owners' Meeting in Reiwa 8"

Thanks to book friend 20230515114556659 for the 5000 starting coin reward

Thank you for your support

Ciallo～(∠ω<)⌒★

Chapter 144 The Little Chestnut-haired Fugitive

On the evening of July 10, at Oi Racecourse.

The heat accumulated throughout the day made the ground scorching hot.

So-called antiperspirant patches or antiperspirant sprays are of little use in such hot weather.

Before entering the racecourse from the north gate reserved for stakeholders, I took a quick look at the parking lot.

Because it was not a day for big rewards, there seemed to be quite a few spots left.

Although it is a parking lot exclusively for related parties, people other than horse owners and those associated with the racecourse can also use it.

Therefore, when a big reward is held, even runaway horse owners have no choice but to choose taxis and other means of transportation.

As for horse owners like Kitano who took the monorail to watch the race—

There should still be a few.

Even when walking in the shade of trees, the wind was still mixed with an annoying warmth.

I'm afraid tonight will be another tropical night.

As I walked past the specialty paper store, sweat started to pour out.

When we arrived at the reviewing ground, there were only a few scattered figures in the vast space.

The venue, which is large enough to accommodate the surging crowds of the Tokyo Grand Prix, now seems a little deserted.

After all, it was a day with only the New Horse Race and the Class Race—

Thinking of this, Kitano quickly walked to the front of the railing.

After showing the horse owner certificate to the uncle in charge of security, he successfully entered the appearance circle seat reserved for horse owners.

But I soon regretted it.

The Ma chairperson's seat in the appearance circle of the Dajing Stadium is absolutely ingenious, set like the filling in a sandwich between the railing and the standing seats.

“I can’t even see what’s ahead!”

The old man who owned the horse sitting next to me let out such a mournful cry while wiping the sweat from his forehead.

So before the official appearance circle began, Kitano stood up and left for the standing seats.

"If you come in again, you'll still need to show proof of ownership."

The security guard said jokingly while leaning against the railing.

"It's really strict——"

As he said this, Kitano took out a parasol from his sports bag.

The clothes she wears are naturally sporty and breathable.

In weather like this, it takes a lot of courage to dress even a little formally.

"Ah, young man—"

Several old ladies who seemed to be horse owners also gave him pointing and criticizing looks.

"Are you from Kyoto?"

He asked in the direction of the old woman.

Then, he opened the parasol and walked around to the side near the rider's preparation room.

After a while, rider Sasakawa, wearing a yellow-red right-side-striped victory uniform, walked out of the preparation room with a whip under his clasp.

"I'll leave you to it today."

Putting away the parasol, Kitano bowed to the rider.

"Ah, please take care of me!"

Sasakawa, who was originally joking with the rider next to him, stopped smiling and bowed slightly in return.

When I raised my head, I saw a maroon figure in front of me.

Despite the stable boy's constant attempts to comfort her, Atalanta still tucked her tail between her legs and showed her three white eyes.

With the help of the stable attendant, Sasakawa climbed onto the horse's back and nodded slightly to Kitano and Majima on the sidelines.

The feeling on horseback wasn't particularly bad.

Of course, it's not much better.

Although I have ridden the horse several times during tests and training, I am still not sure whether I can control it smoothly in an official competition.

Before this, there was also the idea that "it would be better for this kid to run in the starting position."

However, after a pre-race discussion among the owner, trainer and rider, they decided to use a running method that follows the rider's temperament in the new horse race.

Regarding this, I have already apologized to Kitanoma-sama along with Majima-senpai who made the boast without permission.

As for Kitano's thoughts——

It's not surprising.

After all, he was watching Atalanta when she was still being tamed.

Just getting such a timid horse onto the track is already a difficult task.