Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

Of course, it doesn’t matter if it’s not achieved.

I didn't attend the selection meeting with the idea of ​​"I must buy a horse to prove my vision" or "It would be a shame if the [detector] is not used."

Just let nature take its course.

"Is there really no other offer for 30 million yen?—A northern black colt with mud-track blood from its mother's side, 30 million yen is there no objection—"

The auctioneer is still making his final efforts.

However, the price should not go up any further.

It seemed that even the horse owner who had just shouted out 30 million yen had begun to regret it.

"Then let's take this customer's 30 million yen as the final price."

After hearing the clear sound of the gavel, the sweaty staff finally breathed a sigh of relief and led the deer-hair horse away.

Then came the second, third, and fourth rounds. Even after the twentieth round, Kitano still had no intention of taking action.

"Mr. Kitano is really patient."

Ogawa Jō admired Kitano's composure.

The first twenty lots of today's selection meeting had several one-year-old horses that were very good in terms of price and physique. Even he couldn't help but make a few unplanned bids.

As a new horse owner who has only recently started horse racing, Kitano has remained silent until now.

"I just haven't met my ideal target yet."

This is a euphemism.

To put it more bluntly, the starting prices of the first few horses alone exceeded his budget.

"Then please keep up the good work, Mr. Kitano!"

It sounded like words of comfort.

Until the day's selection meeting was about to end, Kitano still hadn't made a bid.

Many owners of spring-autumn colts who are planning to compete for the final appearance have secretly marked him as a strong rival.

"Next up is number 136, Ocean Fleet 2024, a chestnut-haired female born on March 7th. Her sire is Kobayashi Riki, and her dam, Ocean Fleet, has a Raise a Native three-by-five pedigree."

The female auctioneer calmly introduced the second to last yearling to appear today.

However, there was no sign of Ocean Fleet2024 on one side of the display channel.

Chapter 30 The Quote That Attracted Everyone's Attention

"Ocean Fleet 2024's father, Riki Kobayashi, has won the G1 February Stakes for two consecutive years. Also..."

While the female auctioneer was delaying time without changing her expression, several horse owners cast curious glances towards the entrance of the passage.

Things seem to be going a little slowly.

"Haha, I've had trouble getting into the gate since I was a kid!"

The uncle behind me even started a joke.

He glanced down at the pedigree table in the booklet, and his originally restless mood instantly calmed down again.

Although the influence of bloodlines has weakened in recent years, the bloodline of the Donglai Bing 3×4 is not something that small horse owners who can only focus on low-priced horses can get involved in.

"The starting price is six million yen, is there anyone bidding six million yen—"

At this time, Kitano raised his head.

Generally speaking, even if the auction fails, there will rarely be a reserve price horse on the first day.

Like other horse owners, he turned his gaze towards the entrance.

Then, the reason was soon revealed.

"It's a total mule, isn't it?"

"Is it really okay for such a small one?"

"Last year, it seemed like it was also a colt born by Xiaolin Liqi."

The horse owners couldn't help but whisper to each other.

Compared to the many one-year-olds that appeared at the previous selection, Ocean Fleet 2024 was clearly an early March-born horse, but in terms of size, it was only a yearling.

No, it may be even smaller than a year-old horse.

Is there any disease that affects development?

Many people had such doubts at the first moment.

The subsequent performance of Ocean Fleet2024 completely dispelled their already limited willingness to bid.

Even when the staff kept comforting it, the chestnut horse's back remained tense and its tail tucked between its legs showed no sign of loosening.

He seems to be a rather timid type.

This situation is more likely to cause headaches than simply having a bad temper.

"How about six million—six million yen?"

The auctioneer was still singing the lyrics with all his might, but the venue suddenly fell into a strange silence.

"This kid is totally unsuitable to be a racehorse, right?"

Ogawa Masaru expressed the thoughts of many horse owners.

Ocean Fleet2024 showed great resistance to the staff holding the reins.

But even so, the chestnut horse didn't even fold its ears.

In the eyes of many people, this is a manifestation of lack of fighting spirit.

"What do you think, Dad?"

Although he had already secretly decided that Ocean Fleet2024 had no future as a racehorse, Ogawa Masaru still wanted to hear whether his more experienced father had a different opinion.

"Both the horse's body and legs are pitifully short, the hip muscles look weak, and the horse is far too tense."

Xuhe Zhang couldn't help but shook his head.

With such a small size, it would be very difficult for Ocean Fleet2024 to even become a breeding mare.

"But at least the waist looks like it should be a strong type."

He still said a good word for the chestnut horse in front of him.

"It's just like Ren-chan with chestnut hair—"

Ogawa Kana lowered her head and played with her transparent fingernails, not paying much attention to the situation on the field.

For a petite mare like this who can neither run nor breed, the fate is self-evident.

It is precisely because of this clear understanding that one deliberately acts indifferent.

On the other side, Kitano rubbed his temples tiredly.

He kept repeating the same thing throughout the entire selection meeting.

Observe the horse's body and then silently make your own evaluation in your mind.

Instead of counting on the possibility of finding something with an unknown probability, it is better to take this opportunity to practice your [Horse Judging Eye] ability.

Outside of the horse market, there are not many opportunities to get close to a large number of different horses.

However, it's almost reaching its limit.

Completing the observation of hundreds of horses in one go consumes a lot of energy.

Well, this is the last one for today.

After stretching, he began to observe the horse's body of Ocean Fleet2024.

"The coat is smooth, the nutrition is good, and the hoof wall is smooth and free of cracks."

"The fetlock and hoof are in natural condition when standing, with no deformities in the bone structure."

"The shoulder muscles are thin, the junction between the rear wheel and the waist is concave, the muscles are slightly tight, and the body flexibility is not ideal."

[Somagatsu: C+ → B-]

The moment the observation was completed, a line of words appeared before my eyes.

Rather than feeling happy or excited, Kitano just felt his head was swelling.

Although he has not made any bids, he is probably the most dedicated horse owner in this selection meeting.

"Really no offer? Six million yen—the bloodline of the Eastern Soldiers and the Gold Diggers! Only six million for the price—"

The auctioneer is still making his final attempt.

Will anyone actually bid?

With such a personality, I'm afraid it's not even worthy of being bought as a riding horse?

As if to confirm his guess, Kitano used the [Detector] on Ocean Fleet2024 not far away.

The next second, his eyes, which had been slightly narrowed due to fatigue, suddenly widened.

Ocean Fleet 2024 (Unnamed)

【Female 2】

【Chestnut Hair】

[Distance suitability:?]

[Horse Farm Suitability:?]

【Foot texture: ? 】

【Growth type:?】

[Temperament:?]

【character:?】

【speed:?】

【physical strength:? 】

[Winning or losing nature:? ]

【Instant power:?】

【strength:?】

Health: S-

【Xian:? 】

[Spiritual power:?]

【Softness:? 】

This is the first time I have seen S-level abilities.

"My mother won the Kawaramachi Stakes in 2013 for under 16 million. What do you think of 6 million?"

The auctioneer sighed.

"That's a pity."

“Oh eh—”

Kitano, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly spoke.

The whole audience's attention was focused on him.

Even for a wealthy person who spends a fortune and repeatedly wins the best bids, the amount of attention he can get is probably about the same.

"Okay, six million yen! Any other offers? Six and a half million—"

"Brother Kitano, are you crazy?"

Ogawa Katsu tugged at Kitano's sleeve anxiously.

"maybe."