Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

There was still room for the roof, but the snow on the roads had indeed reached the point where it had to be cleared.

The warmth of the hot tea spread down my throat, and my body quickly became invigorated.

After mustering up a little motivation, the day's work began.

Outside, Lavid was spreading coarse salt on the road for snow removal.

Rachel Ho breathed out hot air and swept the snow off the fence bit by bit.

On the grazing ground, the white horse, almost blending into the snow, tilted its head and made faces as if no one was around.

Atalanta wiggled his tongue slowly, and from time to time he shrank his neck in fear of the snowflakes falling on his head.

Kitano arrived at the entrance of the ranch early in the morning with a dazzling move and waited.

The mountains in the distance were covered in white, and the dark hairs looked even more magnificent against the backdrop of snowflakes.

"It's so beautiful—"

As he said this, Kitano raised his cell phone.

After the "click" sound, the scene in front of me was indeed preserved.

but--

"Isn't that look too fierce?"

He pushed his lips, which were constantly reaching for the buttons of his horse's coat, and such a feeling came into his mind.

Even among horses with triple-white eyes, such an oppressive look is quite rare.

Even Mubai Baima, who always regarded himself as the leader of the horse herd, seemed to be afraid to provoke her.

It’s totally unimaginable what kind of foal this guy will give birth to.

Soon after, a horse-drawn carriage came from the direction of Minowa Bridge.

The sound of the snow tires rolling over the road gradually drowned out the sound of the wind, and the outlines gradually became clear on the white and brown horizon.

"Please."

Kitano said to the two people who got out of the car.

The two men wearing masks nodded silently and took the leash from him.

The black deer-haired horse was skillfully loaded onto the vehicle, and the tailgate quickly closed again.

As I fastened my seat belt and sat firmly in the passenger seat, the vehicle started slowly.

The target is the Hidaka Livestock Highness Medical Center six kilometers away.

A month ago, after repeated confirmation, the breeding team of Gumoya finally agreed to the application submitted by Kitano.

Until a few minutes before the electronic contract was signed, He Luoxuan, the ranch manager of Gumoya Ireland, was still recommending many "more reasonable" options for the North American station, including Justice.

Finally, with He Luoxuan's subtle and unconcealed tone, the two sides reached a complete breeding agreement including breeding and post-breeding foster care services.

The price is 35,000 euros, based on the breeding fee of 30,000 euros, plus an additional 5,000 euros.

Moreover, the round-trip transportation costs are not included.

Considering that there will most likely be two horses when returning, the transportation cost will increase a lot.

However, Kitano still chose to foster Dazzling in Gumoya until she gave birth.

Staff skilled in prenatal and postpartum care, a high-standard thoroughbred mare delivery room and foal intensive care unit, the world's top thoroughbred colostrum bank, and the Feshard Horse Hospital adjacent to the ranch -

These are top-level breeding conditions that Mejiro Ranch cannot provide.

For mares, giving birth is a life-or-death experience, and every year some mares lose their lives during childbirth.

In addition, for three- or four-year-old mares whose bodies are not fully developed, even successful breeding will place a huge burden on their bodies.

Only mature mares are bred, and after reaching a certain age, they are only mated once every other year.

This was another piece of advice given by David, a ranch employee, while I was studying at Claiborne.

Of course, Kitano, who is a veterinarian, also holds a very conservative view on this matter.

Moreover, in the long run, although this approach increases short-term costs, it also significantly reduces the risk rate of breeding.

Generally speaking, this is a topic that only horse owners and breeders consider.

Since it is impossible to improve the level of the foaling unit in a short period of time, temporarily borrowing the world-class foaling unit from Gu Moa is also a good choice.

Of course, this will inevitably cost a lot of extra money.

Moreover, there are still many preparations to be made before officially setting off.

In addition to the quarantine before departure that is even more stringent than that of overseas expeditions, Gumoya also requires that any mare entering the ranch breeding shed must receive influenza, tetanus and EHV 1-4 vaccinations.

In addition to the vaccination, today the dazzling action will also undergo a complete pre-pregnancy checkup at the Hidaka Livestock High-Tech Medical Center.

The genetic samples and dazzling performances of the prolific master provided by Gumoya were sent to the biomedical laboratory in Kentucky at the beginning of the month.

Although it has not yet achieved the "foreseeing the future" that the project sponsor Ma Hanya had envisioned, the laboratory has accumulated considerable experience in identifying and analyzing genetic diseases in thoroughbred horses.

"Is this still just 'rest season'?"

Kitano couldn't help shaking his head, which attracted the driver's attention.

"If you get carsick, you can open the windows."

The driver's lips trembled slightly through the mask.

"Thanks."

Kitano sighed once again, which might have been taken the wrong way.

Chapter 169: Conversation between Horse Breeders

Through the window of a train speeding along the Musashino Line, the white clouds in the clear blue sky are clearly visible as if they were carved out.

The gloom that lasted until the morning had disappeared, replaced by a rare sunny winter day.

Christmas is in four days.

Kitano leaned lazily against the car door and yawned noticeably.

In addition to maintaining the ranch's operations, he has been busy since December planning breeding for the coming year.

Compared to when I was just a horse owner, I have become much busier.

but--

Doing what you want to do and what you should do, this feeling is surprisingly good.

Of course, both the body and mind were squeezed even more thoroughly.

As for why he came to the mansion during his rare free time—

Today, a breeder talk show will be held at the Nakayama Racecourse as a warm-up for the Arima Memorial.

As a young horse breeder who recently opened his business, Kitano unexpectedly received an invitation to the conversation.

The other interlocutor was Mr. Teruya Yoshida, the representative of Shadai Ranch.

Of course, in such performance-heavy occasions, it is difficult for either party to make any substantive remarks.

"Next stop, Funabashi Hodo Station, Funabashi Hodo Station."

I cheered myself up a little and walked out of the station into the sparse crowd.

"Eh?"

When I raised my phone, I was a little surprised.

There seems to be a tunnel inside the station that leads directly to the Zhongshan Racecourse.

"Turns are more convenient, aren't they?"

However, re-entering the station is a bit troublesome.

So, take a step forward.

It's been a long time since I've experienced the feeling of measuring the city with my own legs.

There were not many pedestrians on the road which took more than ten minutes at noon on Monday.

The road surface is also very flat, and walking is not as difficult as in snow-covered Hokkaido.

Slowly walked from the alley into the main road.

After turning the corner and leaving the residential area, there were gradually more pedestrians.

From the intersection where Yoshinoya is located, cross the cross-roads and the main entrance of the racecourse is not far away.

As we walked to the main entrance, we were immediately greeted by the staff who had been waiting there since early morning.

The leaves on the very famous Kawazu cherry tree have all fallen, leaving only bare branches.

Looking through the gaps between the branches towards the inside of the racecourse, only the bushes on both sides of the road and the track on the other side barely showed any signs of green.

On the other side of the view is the Hesek statue, which is slightly different from the Oi.

"As expected of the original idol horse—"

It left a very deep mark both at the local and central levels.

His eyes lingered briefly on the statue, and then he followed the staff member.

The conversation took place in the reviewing ground behind the statue, where a considerable number of reporters were already prepared.

Kitano saw the old man surrounded by the crowd from afar.

Amid the sound of shutter clicks, Teruya Yoshida had a smile on his face and occasionally made a few playful jokes with the reporters.

Stopping at a distance, Kitano nodded slightly and greeted him in a rather calm manner.

On the contrary, Yoshida Teruya's side seemed quite enthusiastic.

"Please give me your guidance, Mr. Xing."

Having said this, the thin old man took the initiative to extend his hand.

"Same here, Mr. Yoshida."

Kitano smiled and shook hands back, and the sound of "click" kept ringing in his ears.

Even if there has not been much interaction before, or even if there is some bad feeling, in certain situations they will put on a disguise like a raccoon cat.

This is exactly what is meant by polite talk.

The conversation took the form of reporters asking questions and two ranch representatives answering them, and it was impossible to know in advance what questions might be asked.

It is an occasion that requires improvisation.

"The Arima Festival is coming up soon, Mr. Yoshida. What are your expectations for this year's Arima Festival?"

The reporter first asked questions to Teruya Yoshida.

"If we can win at a year-end festival like this, the whole year will be much more fulfilling."

"So, after all, I still want to win the game."

The old man answered the first question with a smile.

Then, the reporter turned his attention to Kitano.

"Mr. Kitano, would you consider having Mejiro Sakuya participate in the Arima Kinen next year or the year after?"

Despite announcing her second appearance at the Tokyo Grand Prix, Mejiro Sakuya, as a local horse, still ranked eleventh in the Arima Kinen voting.

In terms of popularity, he is already at the level where he can play the leading role in a Taiga drama.

"I see, the Arima Kinen is indeed a race not to be missed."

Kitano held the microphone and nodded with a smile.

"However, as for the racing, I still need to discuss it with the trainer before making any decisions, so I can't say anything about it right now."

Of course, in reality, no matter what the considerations are, Mejiro Sakuya, who is not suited to grass, will not be allowed to run the Arima Kinen.

"If Mr. Xing participates in the competition, I will have a headache."

Yoshida Teruya narrowed his eyes and said jokingly.