Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

"I am Taketoyo's unreliable brother, Koshiro. Please take care of me!"

Kitano hesitantly shook Takeyuki Shiro's enthusiastic hand.

I did hear that Taketoyo has a younger brother who is a horse trainer.

but--

They are two brothers who give people very different feelings.

Looking at the face that was somewhat similar to Taketoshi, I couldn't help but think so.

"I know absolutely nothing about auctions, so I'd appreciate any guidance from Master Kitano."

After the greetings, Takeyuki Shiro touched his head and said with a wry smile.

"No, no, I also need the martial arts master to take care of me."

Kitano waved his hands quickly.

They chatted a little more before the auction officially started.

According to Takeyuki Shiro, he was attending the auction today as a horse trainer at the request of Mr. Matsumoto.

"However, Mr. Matsumoto probably wants me to come here to broaden my horizons."

As the trainer said this, the commendation session of this year's auction seemed to have begun.

When Kitano heard the main victory announcement, a similar expression appeared on his face as last year.

"Has it actually become a local reward?"

Chapter 148 Is there something wrong with the continuous card distortion at the auction?

"The first day of the 2026 Hokkaido Summer Auction, the yearling auction, begins with horse number one."

Sitting in the center of the podium was still last year's female auctioneer.

During the interval before the first horse came on stage, the screen next to the platform was still scrolling information about the horses that would be auctioned.

"Ichiban, Hime Hongying, 2025, male, deer hair, born on March 19th. Father is a four-wheel drive, mother is Hime Hongying, a Seattle Slalom five-by-four."

Kitano's eyes briefly lifted from the phone screen.

"How about a good offer starting at eight million two hundred thousand? Eight million two hundred thousand—"

Many horse owners and trainers have already raised their arms eagerly.

“Oh eh—”

"Oh!"

Even before the auctioneer finished speaking, bidding sounds were heard one after another in the venue.

The numbers on the electronic screen kept jumping.

It took only a few seconds to exceed the maximum budget of 12 million yen.

So Kitano's neck relaxed and his eyes dropped again.

"It feels like a very well-proportioned horse!"

Beside him, Takeyuki Shiro gasped loudly and slapped his thigh hard.

Although I'm not sure what the trainer, who only has a budget of 5 million yen, is regretting.

Kitano opened his phone and continued to study the demonstration video uploaded by the ranch, comparing it to the marked Yuxiang Horse.

"Twenty-four million seven hundred thousand—is there a higher offer than twenty-four million seven hundred thousand yen?"

thump—

The crisp sound of a hammer falling.

Both the owner and the auctioneer seemed to have an obvious smile on their faces.

"Okay, 24.7 million, deal. Thank you to the customer at number 321."

For a summer auction where the average transaction price is less than 8 million yen, this is a really impressive start.

Then--

As Erbanma walked out of the exhibition corridor, the originally somewhat restless atmosphere suddenly became quiet again.

"Two million, seven hundred and fifty thousand, is there really no one offering? Two million, seven hundred and fifty thousand yen—"

The staff in charge of leading the horses are still working hard to show off the horses' bodies.

However, both the pedigree and the condition of the horse are quite ordinary.

Even the production ranch is just a small ranch with no real achievements in the Puhe area.

In this case, the possibility of a successful auction is actually very small.

After flipping through the booklet in my hand, it seems that even the production ranch does not have a very high opinion of the foals produced by our family.

"Master Kitano, do you think this kid has a chance?"

However, Takeyuki Shiro next to him seemed to be interested in it because of the low price.

"I can't say for sure, but at this price I shouldn't lose too much."

Even with the help of the [Detector], it is difficult to say that you can always get a particularly big bargain in the auction.

What's more, there are over a thousand yearlings registered for this auction, and it would be completely impossible to check them all with the [Detector].

The trainer supported his chin and soon fell into philosophical contemplation.

"What do you think of the price of 2,750,000 for Henry Baruch's colt?"

Some people in the field had already begun to yawn impatiently.

The hammer fell, and the auctioneer had no choice but to announce the result of the main take.

Takeyuki Shiro sighed with some regret.

"Master, don't you want to give it a try?"

Kitano turned his head curiously.

"After all, it's the owner's trust. It would be terrible if we just squandered it like that."

The trainer smiled helplessly and turned to the next page of the manual.

"That's right."

Kitano nodded solemnly.

Contrary to his rumored frivolous image, Takeyuki Shiro is surprisingly serious.

After that, several consecutive horses that were put on the market were basically unsold or sold at low prices.

Neither Kitano nor Takeyuki Shiro beside him chose to make a move after observing the prices, pedigree, horse body and other information on the field for a while.

"No. 39, Fenian Cycle 2025, male, deer hair, born on February 1st. Father is Golden Ship, mother is Fenian Cycle, a foal of the Dragon King."

"How about starting at 11 million yen? 11 million—"

The deer-hair yearling pony was led to the display area and then stopped very obediently.

He seems to be a completely different type from his kind and eccentric father.

Kitano stared at the page in the manual marked "You can try" and fell into a moment of thought.

It would be great if all the new horse riding requests were from the Dragon King's foals—

I've heard something similar from riders in Hotan.

Most of the foals born from the Dragon King have inherited its steady and docile temperament, and from the rider's perspective, they are easy to control.

If we think along this line of thought, we can somewhat understand the breeding expectations of some ranches.

Use a mare who inherited the Dragon King's calm temperament to neutralize the negative aspects of the paternal side.

As for the condition of the horse—

Turning his gaze to the field, Kitano carefully observed the gait of the deer-haired horse by comparing it with the video provided by the ranch on his mobile phone.

There is indeed no problem of limping, and the muscles and bones are relatively well-proportioned.

However, there is really no feeling of "smoothness" or anything like that.

It would be better to just say things like "I saw light in his eyes".

At least when sitting in Kitano's position, if you want to observe the details of the horse's body, you have to rely on the close-up broadcast on the big screen.

"What do you think of the price of 11 million yen for the Golden Ship's foal?"

The horse owners in the field were slightly tempted, but no one dared to make an offer.

On the maternal side, the first foal was a combination with Golden Master.

Judging from the current running results, this combination does not seem to be a wise choice.

After switching to the golden ship with similar bloodline, it is hard to say whether it will be another failed attempt.

Moreover, the horse's body looks like the type typical of a foal born by its father, tending to be more relaxed.

"It seems like he inherited some bad traits."

There seems to be some noteworthy aspects in terms of temperament, but there are also many areas that require concern.

"Try it for a bit."

Thinking of this, Kitano used the [Detector].

[Distance Suitability: 1200-1400]

He looked up at the horse on the field, which was obviously larger than the other horses, and his expression unconsciously became a little subtle.

Is this really a short distance horse?

With this question in mind, the detector was used for the second time.

[Race suitability: Grass ◎ Mud ○]

After a slight hesitation, he used it for the final third time.

[Atmosphere: Adult]

Zep and Rachel Ho occasionally complain about the crooked cards in mobile games.

Now, Kitano can more or less understand similar feelings.

"Lavid, what do you think?"

Kitano asked, tilting his head slightly.

"He looks like he has a sturdy frame. He should be able to perform well over long distances."

The Indian answered without hesitation.

Thanks to book friend 20230515114556659 for the 500 starting coin reward

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Ciallo～(∠ω<)⌒★

Chapter 149: New Staff at Mejiro Ranch

"That's it-"

After nodding, Kitano turned his attention back to the field.

From the outside, Fenian Cycle2025 seems to have a somewhat uneven head.

Although it is a little difficult to explain, both the appearance and temperament give off a unique feeling of the Dragon King's bloodline.

If the pedigree is covered, most people would probably think it is a foal of the Dragon King.

Mentally speaking, there doesn't seem to be too many weaknesses, which actually achieves the bloodline coordination goal of the production ranch.

However, the horse's body is more inclined towards the side of its father, the Golden Ship.

So far, it seems that no foal has been born that can fully inherit the advantages of the Golden Ship.