Chapter Summaries

Summary: “Encounter on the Dōei Bus”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Rachel Ho, a young woman from Hong Kong, arrives at High-Speed Eniwa Station and boards a Dōei bus bound for Urakawa and Mejiro Farm.
• She initially attempts to use her Suica card, only to learn that it is not accepted in Hokkaido. The driver gives her a numbered ticket and explains the 3,280-yen fare.
• After struggling to place her suitcase in the luggage rack, she receives help from a bald middle-aged passenger, Mo Jinxian, who recognizes her as a fellow Cantonese speaker.
• Rachel realizes that Mo is also traveling to Mejiro Farm, likely for the same international recruitment program. She nervously rehearses her Japanese interview introduction.
• Mo, who is preparing an interview article about Mejiro Farm, adds Rachel’s arrival to his draft. His article discusses Kitano Yuk’s ambitious 380-million-yen farm renovation, advanced horse-training and rehabilitation facilities, and plans to recruit international talent.
• Mo reassures Rachel that English will be the primary language used in the interview, easing some of her anxiety.
• As the bus travels through Hokkaido, Rachel sees the expansive rural landscape for the first time and marvels at the unfamiliar scenery.

Character Developments

• Rachel Ho is introduced as ambitious but nervous. She is unfamiliar with local transportation and Japanese customs, yet determined to succeed at Mejiro Farm. Her repeated interview practice reveals both insecurity and preparation.
• Mo Jinxian appears observant, helpful, and professionally minded. He assists Rachel with her luggage, speaks fluent Cantonese, and views the journey as material for his journalism.
• Kitano Yuk, though absent from the scene, is developed through Mo’s article as a young, unconventional racehorse owner willing to make large investments in modern facilities despite criticism.
• Mahanya supports Kitano’s vision, while unnamed traditional racing fans and farm owners question whether the expensive renovations are necessary.

Significant Themes

• Globalization and opportunity: Mejiro Farm’s international recruitment attracts candidates such as Rachel, showing the growing international scope of Japanese horse racing.
• Tradition versus modernization: Kitano’s expensive, high-tech facilities challenge conservative attitudes within the racing industry.
• Cultural adjustment: Rachel’s difficulty with transportation, language, and local customs highlights the challenges of entering an unfamiliar country and workplace.
• Ambition and uncertainty: Rachel and the other applicants are pursuing new opportunities, but competition and anxiety accompany their hopes.
• First impressions of place: The transition from the airport and urban travel to Hokkaido’s open fields emphasizes Rachel’s emotional arrival in a new environment.

Character Interactions

• The bus driver corrects Rachel’s mistaken use of Suica and gives her practical travel instructions.
• Mo helps Rachel secure her suitcase, then surprises her by addressing her in Cantonese.
• Rachel identifies Mo’s connection to Mejiro Farm through his Yushun magazine and confirms that they share the same destination.
• Mo notices Rachel’s nervous Japanese practice and encourages her by explaining that English will be acceptable in the interview.
• Their brief exchange establishes a friendly connection between two foreign hopefuls traveling toward the same uncertain opportunity.

Chapter Summary: “Two Applicants”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Rachel Ho and Ravide travel to Mejiro Farm for job interviews, accompanied by Mo Jinxian.
• Because the usual route is under construction, they must walk a long detour to reach the ranch.
• Along the way, Rachel and Ravide pray at a roadside shrine for success, humorously competing over whose prayer is more sincere.
• They arrive at Mejiro Farm, which is temporarily closed to the public while its facilities are renovated.
• Both applicants register at the designated building and wait in a newly renovated, café-like reception area.
• Zepp welcomes them, offers refreshments, and informs them that the boss will arrive soon.
• Kitano arrives and reviews their qualifications:
  • Ravide is an animal-science graduate from India with two years of experience at the Mumbai Racecourse.
  • Rachel is a recent graduate of Macau Polytechnic University.
• The interviews are completed quickly. Written and practical tests are scheduled for the following day.
• Since the ranch’s living quarters are still under construction, Zepp drives the applicants to a nearby hotel.
• Afterward, Kitano invites Mo Jinxian to dinner.

2. Character Developments

• Rachel Ho is enthusiastic but extremely nervous. She rehearses her introduction, worries that the ranch may reject her for being female, and struggles to speak confidently during the interview. Despite her anxiety, she shows determination by pushing herself forward.
• Ravide is calm, polite, and confident. His fluent Japanese and strong professional background immediately distinguish him from the other applicant. He also appears sincere and devout when praying at the shrine.
• Mo Jinxian acts as a weary but supportive companion. He struggles with the long walk, jokes and converses with the others, and is later treated as Kitano’s journalist friend.
• Kitano is practical and observant. He evaluates the applicants seriously but is pleasantly surprised by how quickly strong candidates have appeared.
• Zepp serves as a friendly and efficient receptionist, helping the applicants feel welcome while coordinating the interviews.

3. Significant Themes

• Persistence and ambition: Rachel’s difficult journey and nervousness emphasize how much she wants the job.
• Cultural diversity: The applicants come from different regions and backgrounds, reflecting the ranch’s increasingly international workforce.
• Modernization and transition: Mejiro Farm is undergoing major renovations, suggesting growth and change while also creating temporary inconvenience.
• Workforce shortages and opportunity: Kitano reflects on the difficulty of recruiting young Japanese workers for ranch labor, while foreign applicants provide skilled alternatives.
• Faith and hope: The shrine scene adds humor while showing the applicants’ desire for good fortune and a successful future.

4. Character Interactions

• Rachel and Ravide develop a lighthearted rivalry at the shrine, with Rachel joking that she arrived first and Ravide responding kindly.
• Ravide encourages Rachel indirectly by going first in the interview, allowing her to follow despite her nervousness.
• Zepp treats both applicants warmly and offers them drinks while they wait.
• Kitano evaluates the applicants professionally and exchanges greetings with Mo Jinxian.
• Kitano and Mo Jinxian end the chapter by agreeing to have dinner together, reinforcing their friendly relationship.

Chapter Summary: “Auction Targets for the Second Half of the Year”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ravide supervises Rachel Ho as she completes the post-turnout inspection of Aru, emphasizing that horses must be checked for hidden scrapes and minor wounds, especially around the legs and flanks.
• Using high-quality veterinary flashlights supplied by Kitano, they carefully inspect Aru and find no injuries. They then complete the turnout records.
• Kitano confirms that Ravide and Rachel have passed their probationary assessment. Their three-month probation will include the same pay and benefits as regular employees, which they both accept enthusiastically.
• The new team celebrates with a group lunch at Bear’s Frying Pan, a small, informal Japanese-style restaurant. The meal highlights the different personalities and appetites of the staff.
• During lunch, Zepp asks whether Kitano plans to attend horse auctions. Kitano explains that the ranch will avoid the highly competitive Select Sales and instead consider summer auctions.
• Kitano reveals his larger bloodstock strategy: the ranch will initially focus on developing horses suited to dirt racing.
• His primary auction target is the Keeneland November broodmare sale in Kentucky. He is also interested in the Keeneland September Yearling Sale but has insufficient funds to attend both.
• Kitano plans to travel personally because his special ability, the Detector, can only be used face-to-face.
• The chapter ends with a notice announcing Kitano’s election as an auditor of the Hokkaido Owners’ Association.

Character Developments

• Ravide demonstrates professionalism and thoroughness while training Rachel. He understands stable procedures well and appreciates the quality of Kitano’s equipment.
• Rachel Ho remains energetic, expressive, and eager to learn. She initially assumes the work is finished but accepts Ravide’s correction and becomes impressed by the veterinary flashlight.
• Kitano continues establishing himself as a capable employer and ambitious horse owner. He provides professional tools, treats new employees fairly, and thinks strategically about the ranch’s future.
• Zepp is shown to be young, energetic, and good-natured. His large appetite and inability to drink because of his age surprise Ravide and Rachel.
• Kitano’s election as an auditor suggests that his influence and standing within Hokkaido’s horse-racing community are growing.

Significant Themes

• Professionalism and attention to detail: Even routine stable work requires careful inspection, since small injuries can be concealed beneath a horse’s coat.
• Building a successful organization: Kitano is creating a competent team, providing quality equipment, and treating employees equally from the start.
• Strategic ambition: Rather than competing recklessly for prestigious bloodlines, Kitano chooses auctions that align with his financial resources and the ranch’s intended specialization.
• Risk and investment: His decision to target the Keeneland broodmare sale reflects a long-term plan to build the ranch’s breeding program.
• Technology and special abilities: The contrast between professional veterinary tools and Kitano’s face-to-face-only Detector emphasizes the importance of both practical resources and supernatural advantages.

Important Character Interactions

• Ravide corrects and instructs Rachel during Aru’s examination, establishing a mentor-like dynamic.
• Kitano evaluates both employees, confirms their employment, and reassures them with equal pay and benefits.
• The group bonds over lunch, with Rachel’s enthusiastic dining ritual amusing the others and briefly lightening the atmosphere.
• Zepp’s auction question prompts Kitano to explain his plans and gives the staff insight into the ranch’s future direction.
• Kitano’s decision-making shows that he is not merely purchasing horses impulsively; he is shaping a coherent breeding and racing strategy.

Chapter Summary: The Little Chestnut Runaway

Plot Points and Events

• On the sweltering evening of July 10 at Oi Racecourse, owner Kitano arrives to watch Atalanta’s two-year-old, 1,200-meter maiden race.
• The racecourse is unusually quiet because the card consists mostly of maiden and class races, but the extreme heat makes even the short walk through the venue exhausting.
• Kitano meets jockey Sasagawa near the jockeys’ room and asks him to give Atalanta his best effort. Atalanta appears highly nervous in the paddock, keeping her tail clamped and showing signs of fear despite the stablehand’s efforts to calm her.
• Because Atalanta is timid and difficult to control, Kitano, trainer Majima, and Sasagawa decide before the race to let her run according to her natural temperament rather than forcing a specific tactical plan.
• At the start, Atalanta immediately grabs the bit and surges into the lead. Unlike another runner who breaks slowly, she maintains a strong, uninterrupted rhythm through the turns.
• She crosses the finish line first, securing a win despite the concerns surrounding her temperament and race readiness.
• Afterward, Atalanta refuses to walk to the planned winner’s-photo area, planting her front hooves and forcing the staff to take the photograph where she stops.
• Sasagawa apologizes for being unable to restrain her, but Kitano reassures him that some aspects of racing cannot be controlled by people.
• The chapter ends with jockey Ishikawa holding up a plaque celebrating his achievement of 50 wins, adding another milestone to the evening.

Character Development

• Kitano is shown as a thoughtful and realistic owner. He understands Atalanta’s limitations, supports the decision to accommodate her temperament, and does not blame Sasagawa when the filly bolts or refuses to cooperate after the race.
• Atalanta develops from a frightened, visibly anxious horse in the paddock into a decisive and powerful front-runner on the track. Her fear does not disappear; instead, she appears to run away from it, turning nervous energy into speed.
• Sasagawa begins the race uncertain about whether he can handle Atalanta effectively. His inability to hold her reflects her difficult nature, but he still rides her to victory and accepts responsibility afterward.
• Majima shares the mixed emotions of the owner and jockey. His expression suggests both pride in the victory and concern about Atalanta’s uncontrollable behavior.
• Ishikawa is presented in contrast to the main racing incident, celebrating a personal professional milestone with his fiftieth win.

Significant Themes

• Fear transformed into strength: Atalanta’s anxiety does not vanish, but it drives her forward and becomes the source of her winning performance.
• The limits of human control: The people around Atalanta can prepare and guide her, but they cannot completely control her instincts once the race begins.
• Accepting individuality: Rather than forcing Atalanta into a conventional racing style, the humans choose to let her run in the manner suited to her temperament.
• Victory mixed with uncertainty: Her win is unquestionably satisfying, yet it also raises concerns about whether her behavior can be managed in future races.
• Progress and achievement: Atalanta’s maiden victory and Ishikawa’s fiftieth win emphasize different forms of advancement within the racing world.

Character Interactions

• Kitano exchanges light banter with other horse owners and the security guard while navigating the crowded paddock area.
• He speaks respectfully with Sasagawa, who responds seriously when asked to perform well for Atalanta.
• Sasagawa and the stablehand work together to manage Atalanta, but her fear makes even ordinary paddock procedures difficult.
• Kitano, Majima, and Sasagawa are united by their pre-race decision to respect Atalanta’s natural running style.
• After the race, Kitano comforts Sasagawa and rejects his apology, emphasizing that the horse’s behavior was beyond the jockey’s complete control.
• The final scene brings the group together around Atalanta’s awkward winner’s photo while Ishikawa’s achievement is celebrated nearby, blending triumph with the chaos and unpredictability of racing.

Chapter Summary: “The Foundation of Glory”

Key Plot Points and Events

• On August 7, crowds gather at Monbetsu Racecourse for the Satomi Crown Prize, the final race of the Hokkaido Triple Crown.
• Mejiro Tenma—nicknamed Pegasus—is the overwhelming favorite after winning the Hokuto Cup and North Sea Yushun. Despite his earlier victories, many doubt him because of his childish temperament, lack of visible physical growth, and supposed inability to withstand pressure.
• Jockey Ochiai Genta and trainer Tanaka Junji both believe Pegasus is unbeatable at 1,800 meters. Ochiai privately vows that he understands the horse better than anyone.
• Mejiro Tenma takes the lead immediately. Ochiai carefully controls his pace, resisting the temptation to accelerate too early while rival horses press him from the outside.
• The horse becomes increasingly excited during the middle stages, making control difficult, but he ultimately restrains himself and maintains his rhythm.
• Entering the home straight, Ochiai urges Mejiro Tenma forward. The horse reclaims the lead and holds off the closing opposition despite expending significant energy.
• Mejiro Tenma wins the Crown Prize, completing the Hokkaido Triple Crown and becoming the eighth winner in history, the first since Bell Hollow in 2023.
• After the race, Ochiai celebrates with Tanaka and Kitano, while Mejiro Tenma accepts unusual affection from his normally mischievous personality. The owner, trainer, and breeding-farm representative jointly raise the victory rope.

Character Developments

• Mejiro Tenma/Pegasus: Demonstrates that his earlier victories were not merely the result of early development. Though excitable and difficult to control, he shows maturity by restraining his impatience and sustaining his speed through the finish. His proud demeanor afterward suggests he knows he has disproved his critics.
• Ochiai Genta: Moves from confidence to intense concentration as the race unfolds. He relies on his deep understanding of Pegasus, balancing patience and decisive action. His emotional embrace of Tanaka and Kitano reveals how personally meaningful the victory is.
• Trainer Tanaka Junji: His long-held ambition of becoming a Triple Crown trainer is finally realized. Though outwardly calm and methodical, he allows himself to trust his instinctive certainty that Pegasus will win.
• Kitano and the Ogawas: Their enthusiastic support reflects the emotional investment of ordinary fans and the stable’s supporters.

Significant Themes

• Doubt as the basis of achievement: The chapter’s central idea is that skepticism and criticism become the “foundation of glory.” Pegasus’s victory gains meaning because he succeeds despite doubts about his temperament and stamina.
• Trust and partnership: The race depends on the mutual understanding between horse and jockey. Ochiai’s knowledge of Pegasus allows him to manage the horse’s excitement without breaking his rhythm.
• Hidden ambition and perseverance: Tanaka’s quiet dream of winning the Triple Crown contrasts with his ordinary, disciplined routine, showing how major achievements can grow from years of understated effort.
• Maturity under pressure: Pegasus’s transformation from a playful, unpredictable horse into a determined competitor is highlighted by the contrast between his pre-race behavior and his focused performance.
• Shared glory: The victory belongs not only to the horse but also to the jockey, trainer, stable, owner, breeding farm, and supporters who helped make it possible.

Character Interactions

• Ochiai communicates with Mejiro Tenma through the reins, voice, heels, and whip, calming him while preserving his competitive drive.
• Tanaka, Ochiai, and the grooms share confidence in Pegasus before the race, even though the broader racing public remains uncertain.
• Kitano and the Ogawas loudly cheer for Pegasus from the stands, embodying the crowd’s emotional support.
• After the finish, Ochiai embraces Tanaka and Kitano, turning the professional victory into a deeply personal celebration.
• During the ceremony, Pegasus unusually accepts Ochiai’s affection, reinforcing the trust that has developed between horse and rider.

Chapter Summary: “Not Entirely Good, Not Entirely Bad”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After returning from the race, Kitano rests briefly but wakes early the next morning to an urgent message from trainer Tanaka asking him to examine Pegasus—later referred to as Mejiro Tenma.
• Kitano immediately goes to Monbetsu Racecourse, where Tanaka explains that the horse has been diagnosed with mild synovitis in his left hind fetlock.
• X-rays confirm that the condition is not the more serious and irreversible osteoarthritis. The horse receives an elastic brace and a week’s supply of the anti-inflammatory drug flunixin meglumine.
• Kitano examines the joint himself, confirming slight warmth and fluid buildup despite the lack of obvious swelling or lameness.
• He decides to send Mejiro Tenma back to Mejiro Farm for recovery, making use of the farm’s newly established rehabilitation facilities.
• Kitano formulates a treatment plan based on the RICE protocol: strict stall rest, cold compresses, supportive bandaging, and elevation of the hoof.
• The horse will require at least four to six weeks of recovery, with approximately twelve weeks recommended to ensure complete healing and prevent recurrence or progression to osteoarthritis.
• Tanaka must revise the stable’s racing and training schedule, which may place the horse at a disadvantage against competitors of the same age.
• Kitano also recalls positive news from the United States: Mejiro Sakuya has a good prognosis and should return to Japan before September for further rehabilitation.
• The chapter ends with Kitano reflecting that the racing world usually brings mixed outcomes—neither entirely good nor entirely bad.

Character Developments

• Kitano demonstrates responsibility, medical knowledge, and calm leadership. Although worried, he quickly assesses the situation, reassures the stable staff, organizes treatment, and makes practical use of the farm’s rehabilitation resources.
• Tanaka appears exhausted and deeply concerned, feeling responsible for failing to notice the horse’s condition earlier. His reluctance over the lengthy recovery period reflects his awareness of the competitive consequences.
• Kobayashi, the stablehand, also feels guilty for not detecting the abnormality. Kitano reassures him that synovitis is difficult to identify visually and that the diagnosis was made promptly.
• Mejiro Tenma/Pegasus is shown as irritable but responsive during Kitano’s examination, emphasizing his vulnerability despite being a successful racehorse.
• Kitano’s thoughts about Mejiro Sakuya’s recovery provide a counterbalance to Tenma’s injury and reinforce the chapter’s mixed emotional tone.

Significant Themes

• The fragility of success: Racing achievements can quickly be overshadowed by injury, even when a horse appears healthy after competition.
• Responsibility and care: Kitano prioritizes the horse’s long-term health over immediate racing ambitions.
• Prevention versus ambition: Rest and rehabilitation may hurt the horse’s competitive standing, but rushing recovery could cause permanent damage.
• Mixed fortune: Tenma’s synovitis is a setback but not a devastating diagnosis, while Sakuya’s favorable prognosis offers hope.
• The limits of control: Even careful trainers and handlers cannot always detect hidden injuries, highlighting the unpredictable nature of horse racing.

Character Interactions

• Tanaka urgently contacts Kitano and explains the diagnosis, while Kitano questions him carefully to rule out osteoarthritis.
• Kitano reassures both Tanaka and Kobayashi that they are not to blame for missing the subtle symptoms.
• He personally examines and comforts Mejiro Tenma, then gives the staff clear instructions regarding medication, transport, and rehabilitation.
• Kitano and Tanaka discuss the horse’s projected three-month recovery and the need to alter the stable’s future plans.

Chapter Summary: “The Morning of the Summer Sale”

Key Plot Points and Events

• On August 17, Rachel Ho, Ravide, and Kitano begin the day working at the farm. Rachel effortlessly handles heavy feed sacks, while Ravide and Kitano prepare for the nearby Hokkaido Summer Sale.
• Kitano treats Mejiro Tenma, whose synovitis has improved but still requires regular injections and oral medication. The horse resists taking its pills, forcing Kitano and Rachel to work together with peppermint candy to administer them.
• Mejiro Tenma’s treatment includes IRAP injections, anti-inflammatory medication, and glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, meaning his recovery will require patience and long-term care.
• Kitano and Ravide travel to the Summer Sale, reviewing catalogs and narrowing down potential yearling purchases. Because over a thousand horses are being offered, they cannot inspect every horse with their special Detector, and they must conserve the Green Omamori for the larger Keeneland sale in November.
• At the venue, they discover that one of their preferred horses is absent. They continue evaluating prospects, including offspring of Noda Ken and Gold Ship, while remaining cautious about competition and inflated prices.
• Kitano meets Koshiro Take, the younger brother of famous trainer Yutaka Take. Koshiro admits he knows little about auctions and is attending at Mr. Matsumoto’s request to gain experience.
• The chapter ends as the auction’s awards segment begins and Kitano reacts to the announcement that a leading sire has already become a regional graded-stakes sire.

Character Developments

• Kitano is shown as a dedicated but somewhat weary caretaker. He is deeply involved in Mejiro Tenma’s medical treatment and displays patience despite the horse’s resistance. At the sale, he acts cautiously and strategically, balancing ambition with budget limitations.
• Rachel Ho demonstrates exceptional physical strength and a cheerful, hardworking attitude. Her assistance with Mejiro Tenma highlights her reliability and growing role within the farm team.
• Ravide continues to serve as Kitano’s analytical partner. He carefully studies pedigrees and physical traits, contributing actively to the selection of auction targets.
• Mejiro Tenma remains difficult and temperamental during treatment, but his improved condition suggests that the farm’s efforts are succeeding.
• Koshiro Take is introduced as energetic, informal, and inexperienced compared with his famous older brother. His self-deprecating manner contrasts with Yutaka Take’s reputation and creates a lighthearted new interaction.

Significant Themes

• Patience and long-term care: Mejiro Tenma’s slow recovery emphasizes that healing and rehabilitation require persistence rather than quick solutions.
• Preparation and strategy: The auction scenes focus on careful research, limited resources, and the challenge of making good decisions in a competitive market.
• The difficulty of evaluating potential: Kitano and Ravide must judge yearlings through pedigree, conformation, and limited opportunities, illustrating the uncertainty involved in bloodstock investment.
• Teamwork: The farm’s work depends on cooperation among Kitano, Rachel, Ravide, and the other staff, especially during Tenma’s treatment and the auction preparations.
• Reputation and comparison: The introduction of Koshiro invites comparison with Yutaka Take, while the discussion of sires reflects the importance of lineage and rising status in the horse-racing world.

Character Interactions

• Rachel and Ravide exchange a friendly morning greeting, with Rachel encouraging him after noticing his hard work.
• Rachel assists Kitano in persuading Mejiro Tenma to take his medication, reinforcing their practical partnership.
• Kitano and Ravide collaborate closely while reviewing auction catalogs and setting purchasing limits.
• Kitano briefly interacts with Zepp before leaving the farm, though Zepp’s confident expression makes Kitano uneasy.
• Kitano meets Koshiro Take at the auction. Koshiro enthusiastically introduces himself and asks Kitano for guidance, while Kitano responds modestly and respectfully.

Chapter Summary

The 2026 Hokkaido Summer Sale opens with the auction of yearlings. Kitano attends with trainer Koshiro Take, carefully comparing the horses’ pedigrees, conformation, videos, and auction prices while relying selectively on his special ability, Detector.
The first horse, a well-regarded colt by Four-Wheel Drive, attracts intense bidding and sells for 24.7 million yen—far beyond Kitano’s 12-million-yen budget. Take reacts regretfully to the high price, but Kitano simply returns to studying the remaining prospects.
The second horse, a relatively ordinary Henry Barows colt from a small farm, fails to attract even the opening bid of 2.75 million yen and is bought back. Although Take considers purchasing it because of the low price, he ultimately refuses, explaining that he must respect the trust placed in him by his owner rather than spend money carelessly. Kitano is impressed by Take’s unexpected seriousness and responsibility.
Several subsequent horses either fail to sell or go for modest prices, but neither Kitano nor Take finds one worth pursuing. Their caution reflects the difficulty of identifying genuine bargains among more than a thousand yearlings, especially since Kitano cannot use Detector on every horse.
The focus then shifts to lot thirty-nine, a Gold Ship colt out of Fenian Cycle, a Lord Kanaloa mare. Kitano recognizes the breeding strategy: the mare’s calm temperament may help offset Gold Ship’s notorious eccentricity. The colt behaves obediently and appears sound, with a balanced build and no signs of lameness, but Kitano notices that it lacks exceptional smoothness and appears somewhat loose-framed—traits associated with Gold Ship offspring. Its dam’s previous Gold Ship-related breeding result was also unimpressive, making buyers hesitant to bid.
Kitano decides to make a small attempt with Detector. The ability reveals that the colt has a distance aptitude of only 1,200–1,400 meters, turf as its strongest surface, and a mature temperament. The short-distance aptitude surprises Kitano because the colt is noticeably larger and more powerfully built than the other horses, making him question whether it truly suits sprint racing. He compares the experience to repeatedly drawing disappointing “off-rate cards” in a mobile game: the information is useful, but not what he expected.
Kitano asks Ravide for his opinion. Ravide judges the colt to be a sturdy, long-distance type, directly conflicting with Detector’s revealed sprint aptitude. The chapter ends with Kitano still weighing the horse’s contradictory qualities and deciding whether it is worth pursuing.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Kitano remains disciplined and analytical, avoiding emotional bidding and studying each horse carefully. His use of Detector shows both the power and limitations of his ability.
• Koshiro Take is revealed to be more conscientious than his frivolous reputation suggests. His refusal to buy an inexpensive horse merely because it is cheap demonstrates his sense of responsibility toward his owner.
• Kitano and Take develop a respectful working relationship, discussing horses and budgets while maintaining different perspectives on risk.
• Ravide provides practical visual judgment, emphasizing the colt’s sturdy build and apparent suitability for longer distances, creating tension with Detector’s data.

Significant Themes

• Responsible investment versus bargain hunting: A low price does not automatically make a horse worth buying.
• Limits of expertise and prediction: Pedigree, physical appearance, temperament, auction price, and supernatural assessment can all point in different directions.
• Risk and uncertainty in horse racing: Even carefully planned bloodline pairings may produce disappointing or unexpected results.
• Appearance versus hidden potential: The Gold Ship colt looks like a long-distance horse, yet Detector identifies it as a probable sprinter, highlighting the difficulty of judging a racehorse’s true abilities.
• Trust and professional duty: Take’s decision not to squander his owner’s money reinforces the importance of accountability in the auction process.

Chapter Summary: “A New Member of Mejiro Farm”

Key Plot Points and Events

• At the auction, Kitano evaluates Fenian Cycle 2025, a bay colt sired by Gold Ship and carrying the bloodlines of Stay Gold and Mejiro McQueen.
• The colt appears to possess the intelligence and temperament associated with Lord Kanaloa’s lineage, fulfilling the breeding farm’s bloodline-matching goals. Physically, however, it resembles Gold Ship more closely, raising concerns because Gold Ship’s undesirable traits have often been inherited by his offspring.
• Although Fenian Cycle 2025’s hindquarters and overall build make Kitano uncertain whether it can excel in sprint races, its light gait, flexible body, and springy legs suggest potential.
• Kitano wins the colt for eleven million yen, nearly exhausting his auction budget. He decides to take it directly to Mejiro Farm rather than leave it at Gerbera Park Stud, whose recent breeding results and earnings have declined.
• Kitano arranges transportation and plans to oversee the colt’s training himself, with Ravide assisting. Because Mejiro Farm lacks adequate outdoor training facilities, the colt may later be sent to another farm for development.
• Ravide successfully loads the colt onto the transport truck and notes its calm temperament, soft hooves, and surprising flexibility. He even suggests it might have potential as a dressage horse.
• Fenian Cycle 2025 arrives at Mejiro Farm and calmly inspects its new surroundings. The farm’s residents welcome it, though Mejiro Tenma startles the newcomer with unusual neighs.

Character Developments

• Kitano demonstrates careful judgment as both a businessman and horse breeder. Despite doubts about the colt’s physical limitations and Gerbera Park Stud’s declining record, he takes a calculated risk based on its pedigree, temperament, and movement.
• Ravide proves dependable and knowledgeable about young horses. His experience in breeding and training allows him to assess Fenian Cycle 2025 positively and handle its transportation smoothly.
• Rachel Ho shows her usual energetic enthusiasm, immediately welcoming the colt as a new member of the farm.
• Mejiro Tenma displays curiosity toward the newcomer but unintentionally frightens it, reinforcing his eccentric or playful personality.
• Fenian Cycle 2025 is introduced as calm, adaptable, and observant. Although physically imperfect, it appears intelligent and potentially versatile.

Significant Themes

• Risk and potential: Kitano must decide whether the colt’s uncertain physique is outweighed by its pedigree, temperament, and movement.
• Inheritance and bloodlines: The chapter emphasizes how desirable and undesirable traits pass through generations, particularly the difficulty of reproducing Gold Ship’s strengths.
• Decline and renewal: Gerbera Park Stud’s fading success contrasts with Kitano’s attempt to give the young horse a better future at Mejiro Farm.
• Adaptation and belonging: Fenian Cycle 2025’s smooth transition to its new home suggests the beginning of its integration into the farm and its new life.
• Practical limitations versus ambition: Mejiro Farm’s inadequate training facilities may hinder the colt’s development, requiring Kitano to rely on outside farms.

Character Interactions

• Kitano discusses the colt’s value and prospects indirectly through his observations and decisions, while Take Koshiro watches the purchase with concern and returns to his own difficult auction choices after Kitano leaves.
• Kitano and Ravide coordinate the purchase, paperwork, transportation, and future training plans.
• Ravide reassures Kitano by praising the colt’s calm nature and physical flexibility.
• Rachel enthusiastically joins Ravide in unloading the horse and welcomes it to the farm.
• Mejiro Tenma approaches the newcomer curiously but causes it to retreat in alarm, prompting Kitano to warn him not to frighten the new arrival.

Chapter Summary: “Bears on the Prowl”

Key Plot Points and Events

• On Saturday morning, Kitano visits Mejiro Farm’s newly renovated stable complex. The farm has invested heavily in specialized, hoof-safe roads made from compacted stone, sand, limestone, epoxy resin, and rubber edging.
• Mejiro Tenma is receiving her final IRAP injection for her leg injury. Her normally unruly behavior has changed dramatically during stall rest; she has become unusually calm, allowing her acute recovery phase to end earlier than expected.
• Tenma still strongly dislikes injections and retreats into the corner of her stall, forcing Kitano and Rachel Ho to work together to administer the treatment.
• Kitano discusses a recent increase in bear sightings around Shizunai and Mitsuishi. Because Mejiro Farm borders the Hidaka Mountains and lies in an active bear zone, he has hired workers to clear vegetation around the property and create a buffer against wildlife.
• He reminds Rachel and Ravide about the bear-proof safe rooms in the stable and dormitory and urges them to be cautious when traveling into town.
• After finishing his morning duties, Kitano prepares to travel nearly 170 kilometers to Sapporo Racecourse. The long drive leads him to reflect on the transportation difficulties affecting horse breeding and racing in the Hidaka region.

Character Developments

• Kitano is shown as practical, conscientious, and deeply committed to animal welfare. His veterinary background motivates him to make expensive but scientifically justified improvements to the farm’s roads and living areas. He also takes responsibility for protecting his staff and horses from the growing bear threat.
• Mejiro Tenma demonstrates significant behavioral change during recovery. Though still frightened and resistant to injections, she has become much more cooperative and subdued, suggesting that her injury has made her more cautious.
• Rachel Ho remains energetic and willing to help, but her limited Japanese makes local communication difficult. Her inability to understand the town meeting highlights her vulnerable position as a foreign worker.
• Ravide is quiet and dependable, supporting the discussion about bear safety and assisting with farm routines.

Significant Themes

• Animal welfare and responsible management: The costly road construction reflects Kitano’s belief that preventing hoof injuries is worth substantial investment.
• Recovery and adaptation: Tenma’s injury forces her to change from a boisterous horse into a calmer, more disciplined patient, while the farm adapts its practices to her recovery.
• Human coexistence with nature: The rising bear sightings create an ongoing environmental danger. The farm must use preventative measures rather than relying solely on bear-driving teams.
• Rural isolation and infrastructure: Kitano’s long trip to Sapporo underscores the transportation problems facing Hokkaido’s horse industry and suggests that poor infrastructure may contribute to the decline of regional breeding.
• Communication barriers: Rachel’s difficulty understanding the local dialect illustrates the challenges of working across cultures and languages.

Character Interactions

• Kitano works with Rachel to restrain Mejiro Tenma and complete the difficult final injection.
• Kitano informs Rachel and Ravide about bear precautions, safe rooms, and the need to remain alert near the farm and in town.
• Rachel’s confusion about the landscaping work prompts Kitano to explain that it is intended to clear bear-cover around the property rather than decorate it.
• Ravide joins the conversation and helps clarify the bear warning, while his inability to explain the town meeting fully emphasizes the communication difficulties shared by the staff.

Chapter Summary: “A Disappointing All-Star Day”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kitano arrives at an overcrowded Sapporo Racecourse during the World Jockey Series (WJS), where traffic, queues, and limited facilities highlight the venue’s inability to accommodate a massive event.
• The Sapporo Kinen’s possible promotion to a G1 race is implicitly questioned, since the racecourse lacks the infrastructure needed for a truly large-scale spectacle.
• The WJS opening race is held with little ceremony and is squeezed into the ordinary morning racing schedule. The event lacks the grandeur and entertainment value Kitano associates with major sports all-star weekends.
• Yutaka Take wins the opening WJS race after quickly taking the lead and controlling the pace. His performance satisfies knowledgeable racing fans, but the event’s presentation feels awkward and underwhelming.
• Kitano presents Take with the trophy, followed by a stiff awards ceremony and a rushed group photograph involving several voice actresses.
• After leaving, Kitano checks social media and sees that WJS has not become a major trending topic, though scattered posts from racing fans, newcomers, tourists, and voice-actress-event attendees show that the event has attracted some attention.
• Yutaka Take later calls Kitano to apologize for the disappointing race atmosphere. Kitano reassures him and asks that Mejiro Trading continue sponsoring the WJS the following year.
• A later news report presents the event more positively, stating that Yutaka Take led the Japanese team to the top of the standings.

Character Developments

• Kitano: His doubts about the WJS deepen. He recognizes that strong athletic competition alone cannot successfully promote horse racing to outsiders, and he becomes increasingly critical of the event’s poor organization and lack of spectacle. Despite this, he remains committed to supporting the jockeys and the project, showing practical generosity and long-term resolve.
• Yutaka Take: He performs professionally by winning the race and acknowledging the spectators, but his subdued expression suggests that he too recognizes the event’s shortcomings. His later apology reveals humility and concern for Kitano’s investment and expectations.
• Li Muhua and the organizers: Although Li is not present in the chapter, her earlier description of the WJS as “only a very preliminary idea” is validated by the event’s disorganized execution.
• The spectators: Veteran fans appreciate the quality of the jockey competition, while newcomers are attracted more by novelty, promotional activities, or the voice-actress appearances than by the racing itself.

Significant Themes

• The difference between sporting quality and entertainment value: The jockeys provide a high-level competition, but the event fails as a broader spectacle because it lacks ceremony, atmosphere, and accessible promotion.
• The difficulty of expanding horse racing’s audience: Kitano realizes that traditional racing excellence is not enough to attract outsiders or turn casual visitors into dedicated fans.
• Infrastructure and commercial limitations: The overcrowded racecourse and inadequate facilities demonstrate how physical limitations can undermine ambitious sporting events.
• Persistence despite disappointment: Kitano understands that the WJS may offer little immediate benefit, yet he continues to support it because he believes in helping the jockeys and developing the concept over time.
• The contrast between reality and public presentation: While Kitano sees the event as slapdash and disappointing, the news report frames it as a successful opening led by Take, showing how media coverage can present a more favorable version of events.

Character Interactions

• Kitano watches and applauds Yutaka Take’s victory, then formally presents him with the trophy.
• During the awards ceremony, Kitano and Take share restrained smiles for the cameras, both appearing less enthusiastic than the occasion demands.
• Later, Take apologizes to Kitano over the phone for the unsatisfying event. Kitano rejects the apology and instead expresses continued confidence by requesting that Mejiro Trading sponsor the WJS again next year.
• Kitano’s observations of the crowd, organizers, and promotional performers reinforce his role as both a sponsor and a critical evaluator of the event.

Chapter Summary: Autumn of Lingering Heat

Key Plot Points and Events

• In early September, autumn has arrived at Mejiro Farm, though the summer heat still lingers.
• Kitano and Zepp perform an ultrasound examination on Mejiro Tenma. Tenma resists treatment, making the procedure physically exhausting.
• Kitano avoids using sedatives or antibiotics unless necessary, reflecting his cautious, “naturalist” veterinary philosophy learned from Professor Yamazaki.
• At Zepp’s suggestion, they film Tenma’s comical expressions during treatment for the farm’s YouTube channel.
• Zepp informs Kitano that job applicants will soon arrive for interviews, highlighting the farm’s ongoing staffing needs.
• After treatment, Ravide returns Tenma to the stable. Tenma is displeased by the clipped hair and exposed pink skin on his hind leg, and Kitano reassures him that an elastic support will conceal it.
• Kitano waits outside for Mejiro Sakuya, who is traveling back to the farm after recovering from surgery on her right hind leg. He has carefully studied the medical instructions sent by Johns Hopkins University to prepare for her rehabilitation.
• When tourists arrive without reservations, Kitano politely explains that the farm is closed until renovations are complete. The farm is scheduled to reopen on September 7, an auspicious date that coincides with the seasonal beginning of autumn.
• A horse transport truck finally approaches, and Kitano realizes that Sakuya has arrived.
• The chapter closes with news and social-media posts reporting Sakuya’s recovery, another horse’s racing victory, and a tourist’s amusing account of being turned away from the farm.

Character Developments

• Kitano is shown as hardworking, medically conscientious, and increasingly aware of the farm as a business within the competitive sports industry. He prioritizes long-term animal welfare over convenience, accepts the burdens of manual labor, and prepares intensely for Sakuya’s post-surgical care.
• Zepp continues to support Kitano physically and practically. His humor about Tenma’s expressions helps lighten the exhausting work, while his attention to hiring and media content shows his involvement in the farm’s operations.
• Mejiro Tenma remains difficult but expressive during treatment. His irritation at having his leg clipped reinforces his stubborn, almost comical personality.
• Mejiro Sakuya does not appear directly, but her arrival is treated as an important emotional and professional event. Her successful recovery raises expectations for the farm’s rehabilitation efforts.
• Ravide quietly fulfills his role by leading Tenma back to the stable after treatment.

Significant Themes

• Animal welfare versus convenience: Kitano’s avoidance of unnecessary medication emphasizes caution, responsibility, and concern for long-term health.
• Hard work behind success: The chapter contrasts the glamour of racing publicity with the exhausting labor required to care for horses. Kitano reflects that the industry rewards only winning.
• Transition and renewal: The shift from summer to autumn parallels the farm’s renovations, reopening, and Sakuya’s return for recovery.
• Public image and modern media: The farm uses videos, social media, and publicity to connect with the public, even as its daily reality remains physically demanding.
• Professional responsibility: Sakuya’s surgery and rehabilitation demonstrate the high level of preparation and care expected from the farm staff.
• Tradition and modernity: The chapter combines veterinary caution, racing business practices, social media, tourism, and even auspicious dates associated with feng shui.

Character Interactions

• Kitano and Zepp cooperate closely during Tenma’s difficult ultrasound treatment, sharing both physical work and humor.
• Their brief conversation about filming Tenma and hiring workers shows their comfortable, practical partnership.
• Kitano consoles Tenma after treatment, treating the horse with patience and affection despite Tenma’s resistance.
• Kitano politely interacts with the unannounced tourists, maintaining the farm’s rules while remaining courteous.
• His anticipation of Sakuya’s arrival reveals an emotional investment in her recovery and a strong sense of responsibility toward her care.

Chapter Summary: “Returning Visitor”

Plot Points and Events

• A Flyt Express horse transport truck delivers Mejiro Sakuya to Nishiken Farm, her new home.
• Kitano, Rachel Ho, Zepp, and Ravide eagerly welcome her. Sakuya appears healthy and energetic, though noticeably rounder than before.
• Sakuya immediately recognizes Kitano and searches his pocket for treats. He gives her mint candies, reinforcing their familiar bond.
• The group leads her across the farm and into the newly prepared stable. She is briefly awkward on the gravel and rubber flooring but settles in quickly.
• Sakuya is introduced to the retired horse Jinghui, who shows only mild curiosity before returning to grazing.
• Kitano conducts a thorough health examination, checking her vital signs, hooves, abdomen, and surgical incision. Everything is normal, and the scar is nearly invisible.
• Although Kitano is relieved and excited by Sakuya’s condition, her increased weight means her racing plans will remain unchanged.
• After settling Sakuya in, the group goes to Bear’s Frying Pan for a meal.
• As they leave the restaurant, an unexpected visitor arrives by bus: a heavily burdened hiker who recognizes and enthusiastically calls out to President Kitano.
• The chapter closes with interview excerpts about trying new experiences and British jockey Jin Meiqi’s interest in returning to Japan, hinting at future developments.

Character Developments

• Kitano displays strong affection and responsibility toward Sakuya. He remembers her preference for mint candies, personally guides her into the stable, and carefully checks her health. His excitement at finding her healthy reveals how emotionally invested he is in her recovery and future.
• Mejiro Sakuya quickly adapts to Nishiken Farm. Her food-focused behavior remains unchanged, emphasizing her familiar personality, while her willingness to follow Kitano and rub against his hand shows trust and comfort around him.
• Rachel Ho remains energetic and enthusiastic, documenting Sakuya’s arrival for a vlog and helping welcome her into the stable.
• Zepp and Ravide act as supportive members of the team, assisting with the horse’s arrival and care.
• Jinghui is established as a quiet, retired resident of the farm, reacting calmly to Sakuya’s arrival.
• The unidentified visitor’s excitement at meeting Kitano suggests he may become an important new acquaintance or connection.

Significant Themes

• Homecoming and belonging: Sakuya’s return to Kitano’s care and her placement in a prepared stall establish Nishiken Farm as her new home.
• Trust between humans and animals: Sakuya’s recognition of Kitano, her search for his treats, and her affectionate response to his touch demonstrate the bond they share.
• Care and responsibility: The detailed medical examination and carefully designed stable highlight the dedication required to care for a racehorse.
• Recovery and moving forward: Sakuya’s nearly healed incision symbolizes her recovery, though her future remains governed by practical racing plans rather than sentiment.
• New beginnings: The arrival of both Sakuya and the mysterious visitor hints that the farm—and possibly Kitano’s racing operation—is entering a new phase.

Character Interactions

• Kitano comforts and examines Sakuya while feeding her mint candies and guiding her into the stall.
• Rachel, Zepp, and Ravide share in the excitement of Sakuya’s arrival and help with her transition.
• Sakuya briefly encounters Jinghui, creating the possibility of companionship among the farm’s horses.
• Kitano and his group share a familiar meal at Bear’s Frying Pan, interacting warmly with Grandma Miwako.
• The chapter ends with a stranger recognizing and enthusiastically addressing Kitano, setting up a likely future relationship or plot thread.

Chapter Summary: The Daily Life of New Mejiro Farm

Key Plot Points and Events

• Asayama leads Starship, a 382-kilogram bay pony and Gold Ship offspring, to the weighing area. Her weight has increased by two kilograms, and the result is automatically uploaded to Mejiro Farm’s database.
• The chapter explains that New Mejiro Farm continues Old Mejiro Farm’s tradition of naming foals according to a yearly two-character theme. This year’s theme is “Star,” leading to the name Starship.
• Asayama reflects on his background and career choice. His father, a retired lumberjack, supported his decision to enter the horse-racing industry, and Asayama chose Mejiro Farm partly because of its unusually high compensation.
• After joining, Asayama discovers that the new farm is highly modernized. It uses an integrated system to monitor horses’ exercise, heart rates, lactic acid levels, turnout, and stable temperature and humidity.
• Asayama encounters Ravide leading Mejiro Tenma, who is portrayed as a somewhat vain horse with a popular presence in the farm’s official vlogs.
• After returning Starship to her stall, Asayama joins Kitano and Zepp in the activity center. The farm allows employees to spend thirty minutes of working time studying or relaxing through horse-racing-related magazines, manga, games, and similar activities.
• Zepp discusses a new German hoof-nipper design, while Ravide reports that Pegasus’s underwater walking training went successfully despite the horse causing trouble.
• Rachel Ho arrives, and Ravide reveals that the farm will soon need someone capable of saddle fitting and riding. Rachel admits that she cannot yet ride, exposing a practical staffing problem.
• The chapter ends with Kitano and Ravide realizing that the farm’s search for another employee must include physical build and riding ability as requirements.

Character Developments

• Asayama is established as conscientious, observant, and somewhat inexperienced with Mejiro Farm’s advanced methods. He handles Starship gently and is gradually adapting to the farm’s unconventional workplace culture.
• Starship is shown as calm and well cared for. Her relaxed behavior in the stable suggests she trusts Asayama and is comfortable at the farm. Her inherited “Golden Eye,” or “Dido’s Eye,” hints at her distinguished bloodline.
• Kitano appears practical and open-minded, balancing management responsibilities with an informal, relaxed workplace atmosphere.
• Ravide is responsible and experienced, but frequently exasperated by the horses’ antics—especially Pegasus. He also takes a realistic view of the farm’s training and staffing needs.
• Zepp demonstrates technical knowledge and confidence, particularly regarding equipment imported from Germany. His casual references to his father emphasize his international background.
• Rachel Ho is energetic and informal but lacks riding experience. Her inability to ride becomes unexpectedly important to the farm’s future plans.
• Mejiro Tenma continues to cultivate a celebrity-like image through the farm’s vlogs, contrasting with Starship’s quieter personality.
• Pegasus does not appear directly but is characterized through reports of his troublesome behavior and successful underwater training.

Significant Themes

• Modernization versus tradition: New Mejiro Farm preserves traditions such as naming conventions while replacing old-fashioned practices with data-driven management and advanced facilities.
• Adaptation and learning: Asayama must update the knowledge he gained from school and internships to fit the farm’s innovative methods.
• Animal care through technology: The farm combines close personal attention with extensive monitoring, suggesting that technology is used to improve horses’ health and performance.
• Workplace camaraderie: The activity center, shared snacks, magazines, and joking conversations create a relaxed, family-like atmosphere.
• Practicality in horse racing: The closing discussion emphasizes that physical suitability and specialized skills are essential when selecting staff.
• Horse personalities: The chapter treats the horses as individuals with recognizable temperaments, from Starship’s tranquility to Tenma’s vanity and Pegasus’s troublemaking.

Important Character Interactions

• Asayama gently guides and reassures Starship throughout her weighing and return to the stable.
• Asayama exchanges greetings with Ravide while their horses, Starship and Mejiro Tenma, briefly acknowledge one another.
• Kitano and Asayama casually question Zepp about the new hoof nippers, highlighting the farm’s international connections and collaborative atmosphere.
• Ravide reports Pegasus’s successful training, but Kitano remains skeptical because of Pegasus’s reputation for causing trouble.
• Ravide asks Rachel whether she can ride, and her embarrassed admission leads to a discussion with Kitano about recruiting staff based on body type and riding ability.

Chapter Summary: “Mejiro’s Grand Banquet”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mejiro Farm hosts its first large banquet, bringing together farm representatives, owners, trainers, jockeys, and other associates for a sukiyaki meal.
• Veteran jockey Ryuji Wada attends while filming content for his YouTube channel, Ryuji Wada’s Retired Racehorse Journey. He records footage of Mejiro Farm’s retired horses, including Mejiro Tenma and Mejiro Sakuya.
• Away from the banquet, Wada informs President Kitano that he has decided to retire from riding by the end of the year. Although he has recently gained more opportunities after winning the Kentucky Derby, he remains committed to becoming a trainer and plans to retake the trainer’s examination next year.
• Kitano and Trainer Arayama discuss Mejiro Sakuya’s possible return to racing after her surgery and recovery. They tentatively choose the Tokyo Daisho in November or December as her target race.
• Kitano asks Wada to ride Sakuya in the Tokyo Daisho, which would also serve as the closing event of Wada’s jockey career. Wada accepts, reassured that Sakuya should be sufficiently recovered by then.
• Wada apologizes for not having a successor in mind to take over his rides, but Kitano tells him there is no need to rush the decision.
• News reports later announce Sakuya’s planned Tokyo Daisho appearance with Wada aboard, while also highlighting the continuing rise of Mejiro Farm and the ongoing career of American champion Thorpedo Anna.

Character Developments

• Ryuji Wada: Confirms his determination to retire from jockeying despite enjoying a successful and increasingly busy career. His goal is to become a trainer, and he shows humility and gratitude toward Kitano. His acceptance of the Tokyo Daisho gives his career a dignified and potentially memorable conclusion.
• President Kitano: Demonstrates concern for both Wada’s future and Sakuya’s physical condition. He carefully balances emotional considerations with professional judgment, ultimately trusting Wada with Sakuya’s comeback.
• Trainer Arayama: Remains practical and focused on Sakuya’s recovery and racing preparation. He readily accepts the Tokyo Daisho as the stable’s target once Kitano approves it.
• Mejiro Sakuya: Though absent from the banquet and still recovering from surgery, she becomes the central subject of the farm’s future plans. Her return is treated cautiously, with the race intended partly to help restore her form.
• Yokoyama Norihiro and the other guests: Help create a warm, informal atmosphere, with Yokoyama and Wada acting as lively elder figures while the younger jockeys remain more reserved.

Significant Themes

• Retirement and transition: Wada’s decision marks the end of one stage of his life and the beginning of his hoped-for career as a trainer.
• Trust and gratitude: The respectful exchange between Wada and Kitano emphasizes their long professional relationship and mutual appreciation.
• Recovery over immediate success: Sakuya’s comeback is framed not simply as a pursuit of victory but as a gradual process of regaining health and racing form.
• Tradition and legacy: The banquet brings together multiple generations of racing figures, while Wada’s final ride and Sakuya’s return connect Mejiro Farm’s past achievements with its future.
• The continuing Mejiro story: Public coverage suggests that Sakuya’s Kentucky Derby victory was only the beginning of Mejiro Farm’s broader rise.

Important Character Interactions

• Wada respectfully tells Kitano about his retirement plans, surprising the normally composed farm president.
• Kitano and Arayama privately plan Sakuya’s comeback and discuss the Tokyo Daisho as her target.
• Kitano and Wada negotiate the possibility of making the Tokyo Daisho Wada’s retirement race. Wada initially worries about asking too much of Sakuya but agrees after hearing Kitano’s medical assessment.
• Wada and Kitano exchange formal bows of thanks, underscoring their mutual respect.
• The banquet’s relaxed conversations and jokes contrast with the serious decisions being made about Wada’s retirement and Sakuya’s future.

Chapter Summary: “Tokyo Summer Discussion”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kitano travels from Hokkaido to Tokyo and visits Majima Stable, leaving behind the lingering resentment of people from Chiba.
• Majima enthusiastically welcomes Kitano, while Sasagawa follows with quiet exasperation after discovering that the promised meal was actually a formal meeting with Atalanta’s owner.
• Over food and drinks, Majima, Sasagawa, and Kitano discuss Mejiro Atalanta’s current condition and future racing plans.
• Atalanta’s legs have improved: they are becoming more supple, her stride is lighter when collected, and her temperament is showing some positive development.
• However, she remains nervous, and her physical growth has stalled at only 349 kilograms despite extensive efforts involving specialized feed and supplements.
• The stable proposes entering her in the 1,400-meter Golden Youngster Stakes in September, followed by the 1,600-meter Heiseke Memorial in November. If necessary, she could instead enter the two-year-old filly Laurel Stakes.
• The main concern is the Golden Youngster Stakes’ intensity. It is a mixed race with no weight allowance for fillies, meaning Atalanta would carry the full 54 kilograms alongside the colts.
• Kitano worries that such a demanding race may come too early for a physically immature horse, but ultimately accepts the plan after considering the situation and apparently using a “Green Omamori” game-related resource.
• The chapter ends with the announcement that Atalanta has officially been entered in the Golden Youngster Stakes, with Majima emphasizing the need to allow her adequate recovery afterward.
• A separate announcement reveals that jockey Ryuji Wada will retire from jockeying and begin working in another capacity the following year.

Character Developments

• Kitano remains calm, practical, and cautious. Although he recognizes the risks of Atalanta’s campaign, he ultimately supports the stable’s decision, showing trust in Majima and the horse’s potential.
• Majima is his usual energetic and socially awkward self during the welcome, but becomes serious and professional when discussing Atalanta. He understands that she cannot be excessively pampered and resolves to train her more strictly.
• Sasagawa provides an experienced jockey’s perspective, noting improvements in Atalanta’s movement while acknowledging her nervous temperament and the demands of the proposed races. His humorous irritation toward Majima also highlights their familiar senior-junior relationship.
• Atalanta is developing technically—her flexibility, stride, and temperament are improving—but remains physically undersized and emotionally tense, making her future uncertain.

Significant Themes

• Balancing potential against physical limitations: Atalanta possesses exceptional speed and flexibility, but her small stature and slow recovery make racing her a serious risk.
• The difficulty of training young athletes: The chapter emphasizes that talent alone is insufficient; proper discipline, conditioning, and timing are essential.
• Care versus strictness: Majima must resist indulging a horse he cares for and instead impose the discipline necessary for her development.
• Risk and ambition: Entering a strong mixed race could expose Atalanta to excessive strain, yet avoiding challenging competition may limit her opportunities.
• Professional responsibility: The characters weigh the owner’s ambitions against the horse’s welfare, demonstrating the difficult decisions involved in racing management.

Character Interactions

• Majima’s overly enthusiastic hospitality contrasts with Sasagawa’s restrained embarrassment and Kitano’s polite patience.
• Sasagawa and Majima cooperate professionally despite Sasagawa’s annoyance at Majima’s deceptive invitation and eccentric behavior.
• During the meeting, Majima and Sasagawa present complementary assessments: Majima discusses training and physical condition, while Sasagawa evaluates movement and temperament from the saddle.
• Kitano listens carefully, questions the campaign plan, and challenges the decision indirectly by highlighting the race’s demanding conditions.
• His final approval signals a cautious but meaningful alignment between the owner, trainer, and jockey regarding Atalanta’s future.

Chapter Summary: “Escape in the Rainy Night”

Key Plot Points and Events

• On a rainy September night at Oi Racecourse, the seventh Golden Youngster Stakes—a graded race and JBC Juvenile Yushun trial—is held over 1,400 meters.
• Mejiro Atalanta, a talented but extremely noise-sensitive chestnut filly, enters the race from Gate 10. Her temperament has made preparation difficult, requiring careful handling from trainer Majima Daisuke, jockey Sasagawa Tsubasa, and owner President Kitano.
• The muddy, rain-soaked track creates challenging conditions. Sasagawa is instructed merely to “try to hold her back,” but Atalanta breaks sharply and immediately takes the lead.
• Because Atalanta becomes dangerous and unsettled when surrounded, Sasagawa abandons the planned strategy and keeps her toward the outside, allowing her to run freely.
• A tightly packed group of six horses begins pursuing her on the backstretch. The slippery surface disrupts Atalanta’s rhythm, so Sasagawa uses his whip to encourage her forward.
• Atalanta regains her powerful stride around the turn and pulls decisively away from the field. She wins from start to finish, securing her first graded-race victory and becoming the opening winner of the Future Yushun Series.
• Although Majima is publicly credited with the victory, he cannot celebrate fully because he feels guilty that the race unfolded against the trainer’s instructions. He later states that the stable will decide whether to enter the Heiseke Memorial based on Atalanta’s condition.
• The chapter ends with racing-news excerpts about other horses, including Mr. Caesar and the promising Fenian Cycle, broadening the story’s racing-world context.

Character Developments

• Sasagawa Tsubasa: Demonstrates strong judgment and adaptability. Though initially anxious about Atalanta’s reputation and the pressure of the race, he trusts his instincts and prioritizes the filly’s mental stability over the pre-race strategy.
• Mejiro Atalanta: Reveals both her vulnerability and exceptional ability. Her sensitivity to sound and pressure makes her difficult to manage, but once allowed to run freely, she displays remarkable speed, resilience, and dominance.
• Majima Daisuke: Appears highly nervous and emotionally invested in the race, especially because this is his first graded-race opportunity. His discomfort after winning suggests he is conscientious and worried about having failed to control the race plan.
• President Kitano: Has faith in Sasagawa and appears deeply invested in Atalanta’s success, despite the difficulties her temperament causes the team.
• Okisawa and the stable staff: Reflect the practical challenges of managing a difficult but gifted racehorse and help emphasize the responsibility shared by the entire team.

Significant Themes

• Instinct versus strategy: The planned instruction to restrain Atalanta is discarded when circumstances demand it. Victory comes from responding instinctively rather than rigidly following instructions.
• Freedom and performance: Atalanta runs best when she is not trapped among rivals or overwhelmed by external noise. Her victory suggests that understanding an individual’s nature is more important than forcing conventional methods.
• Pressure and responsibility: The characters face pressure from the crowd, owners, the racing industry, and their own expectations. Even victory does not erase Majima’s doubts.
• Adversity and resilience: Heavy rain, a muddy track, and Atalanta’s unstable temperament create obstacles, yet she transforms those conditions into an opportunity to assert her strength.
• The unpredictability of racing: The race demonstrates how quickly plans can change and how success may depend on split-second decisions.

Important Character Interactions

• Sasagawa repeatedly asks spectators to remain quiet, showing his protective attitude toward Atalanta and his awareness of her sensitivity.
• He apologizes to Kitano for the commotion while accepting personal responsibility as Atalanta’s jockey.
• Okisawa reminds Sasagawa that public criticism is inevitable, while Sasagawa acknowledges the burden of responsibility.
• Majima’s nervousness contrasts with the more experienced trainers around him, who tease him but then immediately steady him when a loud trombone startles him.
• During the race, Sasagawa and Atalanta develop a responsive partnership: he abandons the original plan, manages her panic, and urges her forward when her rhythm falters.
• After the victory, Majima’s apology to Kitano suggests tension between the official success and his private concern that the race did not proceed as intended.

Chapter Summary: Mejiro Farm in the Month of the Gods

Plot points and events

• In early October, exhausted veterinarian and farm president Kitano begins his morning rounds at Mejiro Farm.
• He checks on Mejiro Sakuya, whose weight has improved through underwater-treadmill exercise and dietary restrictions. He performs joint-flexion exercises and uses a massage gun on her muscles. Sakuya visibly enjoys the treatment and affectionately leans against him afterward.
• Kitano then attends to Mejiro Tenma, who is recovering from synovitis. Tenma playfully steals and shakes Kitano’s cap while he performs her rehabilitation exercises.
• Trainer Tanaka and jockey Ochiai arrive to visit Tenma. Kitano reports that her follow-up scans show no cartilage damage, and the feared early osteoarthritis has not developed. Her synovitis has been controlled to a mild level.
• Although Tenma is recovering well, she needs roughly two more months before returning to formal training. To avoid relapse or chronic synovitis, the team decides she will miss the major year-end Dōei Memorial and instead aim for a lower-level race if her recovery permits.
• Tenma remains difficult about food, rejecting Ochiai’s carrot and showing little interest even in specially prepared feed.
• The chapter closes with racing news: Meisho Tahara is preparing for the Autumn Emperor’s Prize, while Secret Fire will run in the final Tokyo Daisho of her career with jockey Fumifumi Mikamoto.

Character developments

• Kitano is shown as dedicated but physically and mentally exhausted, carefully balancing his veterinary responsibilities with long-term race planning. His familiarity with each horse’s temperament allows him to handle both Sakuya’s affectionate nature and Tenma’s mischievous aggression.
• Mejiro Sakuya is making measurable health progress. Her weight is coming under control, she cooperates with rehabilitation, and she has developed a trusting, almost spoiled relationship with Kitano.
• Mejiro Tenma is lively and energetic despite her injury, suggesting that her condition is improving. However, her picky eating and playful stubbornness remain unchanged.
• Tanaka remains cautious and realistic, becoming visibly concerned about Tenma’s long recovery and the loss of the Dōei Memorial opportunity.
• Ochiai shows gentle concern for Tenma, though the horse rejects his attempt to encourage her with a carrot.

Significant themes

• Recovery requires patience: Even with favorable medical results, Tenma cannot be rushed back into competition.
• Care versus ambition: The team must sacrifice an important race to protect Tenma’s long-term health.
• Trust built through routine: Grooming, rehabilitation, massage, and daily handling strengthen the bonds between Kitano and the horses.
• The individuality of animals: Sakuya’s enjoyment of grooming and Tenma’s picky, playful behavior emphasize that each horse has distinct preferences and personalities.
• The passage of seasons and careers: The autumn setting and Secret Fire’s final Tokyo Daisho introduce a sense of time moving forward and careers approaching important turning points.

Character interactions

• Kitano patiently performs Sakuya’s rehabilitation while she responds with calm cooperation and affection.
• Tenma turns her therapy session into play, stealing Kitano’s cap and forcing him to manage her mischievous behavior while continuing treatment.
• Tanaka and Ochiai consult with Kitano about Tenma’s prognosis and racing future, sharing both relief at her recovery and disappointment over missing the Dōei Memorial.
• Ochiai attempts to reward Tenma with a carrot, but she dismisses it, reinforcing her independent and selective temperament.

Chapter Summary: Keeneland Race Day

Plot Points and Events

• Kitano arrives in Lexington, Kentucky, after flying from Hokkaido to attend the Keeneland Breeding Stock Sale.
• Rather than going directly to the auction, he visits Keeneland Racecourse for the Breeders’ Cup, intending to evaluate potential purchases before they are sold.
• His primary target is Ways And Means, a five-year-old chestnut mare owned by Klaravich Company. She is a successful Grade 1 winner with a strong pedigree, making her likely to command a high price.
• At the paddock, Kitano uses the newly revealed breeding-analysis function of [Detector]. Ways And Means is shown to possess the traits [Strength] and [Competitive Spirit], with the latter having an especially high chance of being inherited.
• Kitano compares her with other mares. Candied has only [Good Ground], while another horse possesses the undesirable trait [Difficult Temperament].
• He also analyzes the favorite, Thorpedo Anna, who has three traits: [Competitive Spirit], [Early Maturity], and [Speed]. Her [Competitive Spirit] trait also has an enhanced inheritance indicator.
• Thorpedo Anna dominates the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, leading from start to finish and defeating Candied decisively.
• Although Kitano is impressed by the race and joins the crowd in cheering, he leaves before the next major event, focusing on preparations for the following day’s auction.
• News reports afterward emphasize Thorpedo Anna’s victory, Ways And Means’s quality, and the growing internationalization of horse racing.

Character Development

• Kitano demonstrates greater strategic sophistication as a prospective horse buyer. He is no longer relying solely on racing records and pedigrees; he is now investigating a horse’s hidden breeding potential.
• His discovery that breeding traits vary widely—and that desirable traits are relatively rare—makes him value Ways And Means more highly.
• He remains cautious, recognizing that his sample size is too small to fully understand how the system evaluates traits.
• Kitano’s admiration for Thorpedo Anna shows his appreciation for genuine racing excellence, even though she is not his primary target.

Significant Themes

• Breeding potential versus racing performance: The chapter contrasts a horse’s accomplishments on the track with the traits it may pass to future generations.
• The value of hidden information: Kitano’s [Detector] gives him an advantage by revealing qualities unavailable through ordinary observation.
• Scarcity and competition: Strong inherited traits are uncommon, suggesting that horses possessing them will be highly valuable at auction.
• Globalization of horse racing: The closing commentary highlights the expanding international market and the importance of seizing overseas opportunities.
• Preparation and strategy: Kitano’s early arrival and careful scouting emphasize the importance of gathering information before making a major investment.

Character Interactions

• Kitano briefly interacts with the Mexican taxi driver, whose comments about Lexington’s untidy downtown lead Kitano to compare the city with Tokyo.
• At the paddock, Kitano observes Ways And Means, Candied, and Thorpedo Anna, using the system to assess them rather than engaging directly with their owners or trainers.
• The public and Kitano react enthusiastically to Thorpedo Anna’s commanding victory, creating a shared atmosphere of excitement.
• The news media and Keeneland Sales coverage provide outside perspectives on the horses and the upcoming auction, particularly Ways And Means’s reputation and Thorpedo Anna’s dominance.

Chapter Summary: “The Old Man’s Horse”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kitano rises late on auction day and studies the catalog before leaving for the Keeneland auction, where 239 horses are scheduled to be sold.
• His main target is HIP 12, Ways And Means, a five-year-old chestnut mare with an impressive racing record.
• At the auction house, Kitano declines a private bidding room and chooses to bid directly from the floor, despite preferring to avoid attention.
• He is assisted by Kelly Hunt, a Japanese-speaking liaison, and a bid spotter who explains the bidding process and offers to help him avoid the cameras.
• Kitano uses his supernatural ability, [Detector], to search the mares for valuable breeding traits. Few horses possess any traits, and most of those found are ordinary or undesirable.
• Ways And Means enters the ring with an opening bid of $100,000. Her price quickly rises beyond $1 million.
• Kitano’s maximum budget is $1.15 million, but the bidding reaches that amount and continues. He refuses to bid higher, and Ways And Means ultimately sells for $1.55 million.
• Kitano is disappointed but decides not to use either of his two remaining Rainbow Omamori to increase his resources.
• He continues observing the auction but finds very few horses with useful traits, confirming that such horses are extremely rare.
• A newspaper report reveals that Teruya Yoshida of Shadai Farm eventually bought Ways And Means for $1.55 million, along with two other broodmares.

Character Developments

• Kitano demonstrates discipline and financial restraint. Although he wants Ways And Means, he refuses to exceed the limit necessary to protect Nishiken Farm’s operating funds.
• He remains cautious about using his Rainbow Omamori, showing that he views them as precious emergency resources rather than something to spend casually.
• His limited success with [Detector] makes him more aware of how difficult it will be to find mares with truly exceptional breeding potential.
• Kitano is also portrayed as socially reserved: he avoids the private room and dislikes being filmed, preferring to work quietly and independently.

Significant Themes

• Restraint versus ambition: Kitano must balance his desire to acquire a high-quality mare against the financial survival of Nishiken Farm.
• Scarcity of talent: The rarity of breeding traits emphasizes that truly valuable horses are difficult to find.
• The pressure of competition: The fast-paced auction, rising bids, and unfamiliar bidding rhythm create a tense atmosphere.
• Limits of supernatural advantage: Even with [Detector], Kitano cannot guarantee success; his ability only helps when the right horse possesses a meaningful trait.
• The horse market as a battlefield: Wealthy buyers and major farms can outbid Kitano, revealing the enormous gap between his resources and those of elite industry players.

Character Interactions

• Kitano and Kelly Hunt: Kelly professionally welcomes him, offers a private auction room, and explains how to bid. Kitano politely declines the room while accepting her assistance.
• Kitano and the bid spotter: The spotter speaks slowly to accommodate him, warns him about the cameras, and confirms Kitano’s $1.1 million maximum bid for Ways And Means.
• Kitano and the auctioneer: The auctioneer acknowledges Kitano’s bidding interest and later looks to him when the price reaches $1.15 million. Kitano signals that he is out, ending his participation.
• Kitano and the unseen competitors: Though they never interact directly, the other bidders force the price beyond his means and ultimately secure Ways And Means for Shadai Farm.