Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

"Yes, Yokoyama-senpai."

Wada responded, put away the live broadcast equipment, took a few quick steps to the empty seat next to Yokoyama, and knelt down upright.

After obtaining Kitano's consent, he recorded a lot of tour footage at the ranch.

The reason for this is that on the YouTube channel "Ryuji Wada's Journey to Find Retired Horses" that I opened a few years ago, many comments expressed the desire to see famous horses from the local area.

The previous special episode about visiting Xinsheng Ranch unexpectedly received a lot of praise.

Whether it was Katuna, whose temper had become more stable after his retirement, or Kimura, who was inexplicably nervous when introducing the team as a guide, they seemed to have left a lot of impressions on horse fans.

So we have this special episode about visiting Mejiro Ranch.

In addition to Mejiro Baima and Mejiro Sakuya who were recuperating and grazing, Kitano also visited two other retired horses.

“I want to tell everyone more stories about horse racing.”

In the past, there were similar ideas.

However, the time available to devote to related activities is very limited.

Especially after winning the Kentucky Derby this year, the number of commissions on hand suddenly increased.

Hotan quickly made a decision about this somewhat happy trouble.

In other words, the idea has never wavered from the beginning.

While leaving the crowd to visit the ranch training facilities, Wada suddenly bowed respectfully to Kitano.

"I'm sorry, President. I will still work hard towards the trainer exam next year."

Kitano, who was usually calm, had a look of surprise on his face.

"Oh, is everything alright?"

"If I hadn't failed the exam, my stables would have been open by now."

Wada, who had failed the trainer exam for two consecutive years, gave a wry smile: "If I keep riding, I'll become a hated old man."

"Can you hold on until April next year?"

After sensing the determination in the rider's words, Kitano had no choice but to ask this.

He and Master Huangshan have already discussed the route for next year.

The main goal in the first half of the year will probably be the competition in the Middle East.

"I'm sorry, but I've decided to retire this year."

The rider bent down again and bowed deeply.

“Is that so—”

Kitano could only look at the rider in silence and sighed.

Returning to the banquet hall, he thanked the relatives and friends who took turns to congratulate him.

The matter of the Wada rider retiring at the end of the year can only be put aside for the time being.

However, the new rider must be decided as soon as possible.

"Thank you very much for your support of Mejiro Ranch."

When everyone was present, Kitano stood up and bowed.

The four ranch employees standing behind him also bowed to the stakeholders.

After sitting down again, everyone raised their glasses and clinked their glasses before starting to use their chopsticks.

After a while, whispered conversations began to fill the room.

The two horse trainers, Tanaka and Arashiyama, continued the topic of ranch facilities, occasionally looking up to ask Kitano or several ranch employees some questions.

Wada and Lao Yokoyama, who were both former riders, took turns telling jokes to liven up the atmosphere, acting like banquet directors.

However, the two sons who came with old Yokoyama seemed a little embarrassed, just like the Hokkaido rider Ochiai. They just picked up the dishes silently and occasionally agreed with the words of the people around them.

After the banquet was over, Kitano noticed the look given to him by Huangshan.

So the two of them got up and went to the corridor outside the house.

"President, are you going to try to let Sakuya run a bit in the second half of the year?"

Huangshan's ears were a little red, but he seemed to be still quite conscious.

"If it's November or December, my physical condition should have almost recovered."

After thinking for a while, Kitano raised his head thoughtfully: "How about the Tokyo Grand Prix?"

"Understood. Then we at the stable will prepare for the Tokyo Grand Prix."

Huangshan nodded slightly to indicate that there was no problem.

"Well, ah, right—"

Halfway through his words, Kitano suddenly remembered something.

"Forget it, let's wait for the reply from the Wada rider."

Facing Huangshan's somewhat surprised look, Kitano shook his head and said.

Then he found Wada who was chatting with the eldest son of the Yokoyama family.

"I'm going to go check on that Takeshi guy."

Yokoyama Kazuo picked up the wine jug and stood up with a smile.

Several people not far away also moved quietly.

So, a space soon appeared between Wada and Kitano that could accommodate the two of them in a conversation.

"Does the Wada rider have any requirements for the retirement ceremony?"

Kitano asked tentatively.

“I’d be very satisfied if someone came to support me.”

Wada replied with a smile, while looking at him with some surprise.

"In that case, how about the Tokyo Grand Prix?"

So Kitano got straight to the point.

"Wouldn't it be too much of a stretch for Sakuya?"

Hetian's eyebrows twitched again and again, and finally froze into a somewhat serious expression.

Although I don't know much about it, I heard that it is a surgery that requires a long period of rest.

It is not a good thing to rush into the competition.

"It should be almost fully recovered by November at the latest."

As a horse owner and resident veterinarian, Kitano gave an answer from a professional perspective.

"Is that so? Then there's no problem on my end."

As if relieved, Hetian quickly accepted the proposal.

There is no such thing as a JRA rider retiring from local competitions being considered unsuitable.

The G1 race marks the end of a rider's career.

Even those legendary predecessors rarely had such opportunities.

"Thank you very much for your continued trust, President Kitano."

Hetian bowed solemnly.

"From my side, I would like to thank the riders from Hotan for their hard work."

Kitano followed suit and bowed in return to express his gratitude.

"Has President Kitano considered the next rider?"

After raising his head, a trace of embarrassment flashed across Hetian's face.

"There's no candidate yet—"

Several clear images flashed through Kitano's mind, and he answered like this.

"terribly sorry."

Wada lowered his head and bowed again.

"No, there's no rush for this kind of thing anyway."

Patting the rider on the shoulder, Kitano raised the can of wine in his hand.

"cheers."

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

"[Time report]

Kentucky Derby winner Sakuya Mejiro targets Tokyo Grand Prix

"We decided to use this match to help her regain her form," said Mr. Huangshan.

The two riders of An Shang and Tian Ryu have been appointed."

——《n○tkeiba》

"Is the story of Mejiro still going on? No, the story of Mejiro has just begun."

——"Weekly Gallop Special Supplement" - "Chamei in Bloom in the Autumn of White Dew - Mejiro Ranch"

Kenneth G. McPeek said Thorpedo Anna's racing career will not end this year, regardless of whether she defends her Breeders' Cup title.

——《Id○l Horse》-《The hot American queen seeks more challenges》

The work schedule has been adjusted back, and the update will be restored to 12 o'clock in the future

I'm very sorry for affecting your reading experience.

(﹏)

Chapter 156 Summer Chat in Tokyo

"It's still midsummer in the city—"

Looking at the boundless blue sky above my head, this thought subconsciously emerged in my mind.

The air in Hokkaido has taken on a distinct chill.

At this moment, the sky in Tokyo is clear, but the sun is still scorching.

Leaving the resentment from the people of Chiba behind, Kitano took a step forward.

The trees on both sides of the tree-lined path filled with the chirping of cicadas are still lush and green.

In a corner of the open corridor, Majima crunched the remaining popsicle into pieces and waved his arms towards the entrance.

"Oh hey—President Kitano!"

The horse trainer, holding the remaining wooden stick, came over with an inexplicable excitement on his face.

Sasakawa, who had been standing shoulder to shoulder with him, let out an inaudible sigh.

But he still silently drank the boxed drink and followed Majima towards the entrance where Kitano was.

"Good morning, President Kitano."

The riders greeted him in a much more normal way.

"Good morning."

Kitano nodded slightly in response, then looked helplessly at Majima who was still holding onto his palm.

"Master Majima, let's go inside and talk."

He had no choice but to remind her in this tactful way.

"Good good!"

As if waking from a dream, Majima untied his hands and continued to talk as he walked, "How about the Momiji set meal for the appetizer? I recommend the main course."