Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

Of course, this is also inseparable from the enthusiastic cooperation of several old employees.

"Besides—Sakuya isn't some slow-witted person."

Kikuchi spoke softly, gently brushing away the grass debris between the deer and horse hairs.

"She just doesn't care too much about things she thinks are unnecessary, but she will also respond seriously to things that she cares about."

Recalling the stories he heard from the old employees, Kikuchi couldn't help but smile.

"During the Kentucky Derby, Sakuya sensed the president and Mr. Wada's determination to win, so she ran very hard from the start even with a leg injury."

"So that's what it is—"

Takeshi nodded seriously.

"He seems to be a very principled horse."

That was one of the reasons why he came to the stable.

While a lot of information about racehorses can be obtained from trainers, there is also information like this that only stable staff or ranches can reveal.

Even though it is just a temporary replacement for the warm-up rider, it will not work if we don't do this.

To this day, he still rides diligently in the way his father taught him.

"Please give me your guidance during the Emperor's reward, Sakuya."

As he said this, Takeshi bowed to Mejiro Sakuya who was in the stable.

The deer-hair horse, which was concentrating on chewing its feed, was unmoved and just perfunctorily shook its tail as if to say, "I know, so don't disturb me while I'm eating."

Turning his head to look at Kikuchi, Takeshi's expression became somewhat helpless.

"It seems like she doesn't care much about me."

After that, he got to know several other horses on the ranch with Kikuchi's company.

"This child really doesn't look like the Golden Ship at all."

Wu Shi smiled and said as he rubbed Xingchuan's head which was sticking out from the stable.

The deer-haired pony initially flinched back a few steps, but soon re-emerged with a look of curiosity.

"Yeah, even the president said this kid is the type who prefers short trips."

"Hey! A short trip?"

Wu Shi looked at the slightly relaxed horse in front of him with some surprise.

Considering the horse's bloodline and actual physical condition, it should be more of a long-distance type, like his father.

but--

If the person who said this was President Kitano, then the situation would be different.

"It's almost time for the baby to be stabled. Haven't you decided where to send him yet?"

While rubbing Xingchuan's head, which had the unique feel of a Dragon King colt, Wu Shi asked.

"It's Hattori's stable in Saga—"

While answering, Kikuchi looked at the deer-haired horse in the stable with gentle eyes.

Judging from the horse's body, he already looks like a man.

However, it would be a bit difficult to rush into the competition now.

Keep running healthily——

This is what everyone on the ranch expects from the starship.

On the other side, Old Yokoyama drank the remaining tea in the cup and then stood up from the tatami swiftly.

"Please stay and have dinner with us."

Kitano stood up and made an invitation.

"No, Yuki-kun, you have guests to entertain later, right?"

Waving his hand, Old Yokoyama smiled and refused Kitano's request to stay.

While feeling a little regretful, a new idea emerged in Kitano's mind.

Teacher Tanaka and the others will not come until after lunch.

Maybe, I can try curry sukiyaki today?

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Ciallo～(∠ω<)⌒★

Chapter 203 The Difficulty Between Man and Horse

It was just past lunch time when Tanaka and Ochiai arrived at the ranch.

"Long time no see, Master Tanaka."

"Well, long time no see."

After greeting the trainer, Kitano turned his head and turned his gaze to the rider beside him.

"Xunta too, long time no see."

"Excuse me, President."

Ochiai took a step forward and bowed deeply.

"That's a bit too serious."

Kitano couldn't help but complain, but he had no choice but to put his hand down and bow in return.

The two took off their shoes at the entrance and followed him onto the creaking plank corridor.

The moment he entered the door, Tanaka subconsciously wanted to take off his stuffy baseball cap.

The moment his fingertips touched the brim of the hat, he pushed the cap back on his head as if he remembered something.

The precarious hairline will not be exposed to the sun.

As I approached the lounge, a strong smell came out through the crack in the door.

"Is beef curry for lunch?"

Tanaka asked with a smile.

"I guess so."

Kitano smiled slightly stiffly and handed two bottles of oolong tea that he had just taken out of the refrigerator to the two of them.

The three of them sat down at the low table.

While chatting, Tanaka looked out the window and sighed.

"That's incredible! Are they planning to expand the fenced-off area around the stables?"

"No, just some minor modifications to the existing stables."

"This isn't something that can be described as 'slightly'."

The horse trainer laughed as he twisted the bottle cap.

Ochiai also nodded in agreement.

The topic naturally shifted to the high temperatures of recent days.

"If this continues, I'm afraid this year's debut season will be moved forward again."

After taking a sip of oolong tea, Tanaka frowned, as if the tea was bitter.

“It will be very hard on the horses and the stable boys, too.”

Ochiai rarely took the initiative to speak, and his tone was extremely serious.

“That’s what I mean—”

Kitano took over the conversation, nodded, and said, "If it weren't for the high temperature countermeasures, the situation might have been even worse."

Although the shortening of the appearance segment will inevitably be opposed by some Ma fans, there is nothing that can be done about it.

Gu Long drank up the remaining oolong tea, and Tanaka changed the subject to talk about today's business.

"How about we aim for the Grand Universe Memorial as our first battle this year?"

"Then it will become a tough battle between Guma and Ma."

Kitano immediately realized which race the trainer was talking about, but his expression gradually became serious.

The full name of the Grand Universe Memorial is Sapporo Beer Mug Grand Universe Memorial Golden Ship Award.

Although the bounty is not high, as the first Guma race of the new season, most of the strong Guma horses will participate in this race.

Many promising racehorses are transferred to South Kanto in their late second or early third year to compete for higher prize money.

However, this does not mean that we can underestimate the horses that remain in the gate.

after all--

The "Cosmos" commemorated in this race is a legend that as a local racehorse, he competed for major central prizes such as the Satsuki Sho and the Japan Cup, and even won the first international G1 title for a local horse in the Singapore Airlines International Cup.

The winner of the previous Grand Universe Memorial was Bell Jiajun, who dominated the event for three consecutive years.

"Bel Jiajun is very strong."

After a brief silence, Ochiai followed suit.

In almost every race in the gate, Bell Jiajun won by more than five lengths.

"However, if you want to aim for the South Kanto or even higher-level competitions, you must first overcome Bell Jiajun."

Tanaka spoke calmly, as if he was talking about something as easy as drinking tea.

However, the truth is just as the trainer said.

Bell Jiajun, who was invincible at the Menbie Racecourse, suffered a "complete defeat" record when he went to other racecourses.

"If you don't win, there's no point in talking."

For Meda Hiroma, this year's Grand Cosmo Memorial is just such a race.

Kitano took a breath, exhaled, and then spoke.

"Then go ahead and give it a try."

After saying that, he turned his head and looked at Ochiai again.

"As for the rider, I'll have to continue to trouble you, Xuantai."

Ochiai pursed his lips and nodded without saying a word.

"Actually, there's another matter today that I need to deal with that shouldn't bother you Kitano-kun."

After a slight hesitation, Tanaka said solemnly.

"Please go ahead."

So Kitano also switched to a straight sitting posture, looking at the trainer sitting opposite the low table with a serious look.

"Let me tell you, Master."

At this moment, Ochiai suddenly spoke.

"If all goes well—"

Having said that, the rider took a deep breath as if he had made up his mind.

"I plan to go to North America to practice next year."

"Is that so? That's really remarkable."

For the well-paid JRA and NAR riders, going overseas for training is a thankless task in most cases.

Kitano sincerely admires those who can do it.

"It is precisely because I feel that I am far from enough that I have such a plan."