Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Four Little Fortunes and Anime Development”

Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Jun meets Guo Feng at a hotel to discuss merchandise sales and future development.
• Guo Feng reveals that merchandise connected to Zhang Jun’s racehorses has sold nearly twenty million units in two months, earning Zhang Jun roughly ten million in dividends.
• Encouraged by the horses’ growing popularity, Guo Feng proposes a new “Four Little Fortunes” merchandise line featuring:
  • Flying Cloud Colt
  • Mountain Patrol Leopard
  • Forest Hero
  • River Moon
• The collection will include horse dolls, photo albums, standees, badges, and individual merchandise. River Moon’s design is left unfinished because she has not yet won a major race.
• Guo Feng then introduces a broader IP-development plan involving anime, manga, games, films, and television projects based on racehorses’ stories.
• Cloudstream Flying Shadow’s dramatic rise—from repeated defeats and being sold off to winning a G3—is identified as ideal material for an anime.
• Flying Cloud Colt’s transformation from a secondhand horse into a Grade One champion is proposed as another potential anime story.
• Inspired by Japan’s popular Horse Racing Girls, Guo Feng plans to create a Huaxia version of the game and anime, turning famous racehorses into anime girls. Cloudstream Flying Shadow would be the first protagonist.
• A second, more child-oriented animated series would portray horses and racing-industry workers as cute dolls, distinguishing it from the horse-girl project and targeting younger children.
• Guo Feng asks Zhang Jun to voice the trainer characters based on the real owners, trainers, jockeys, and stable staff. Zhang agrees to take voice-acting lessons.
• Afterward, Zheng Xing summons Zhang Jun to discuss River Moon’s upcoming CN2 race, the Funing Mile.
• Zhang, Zheng Xing, and Shan Yao spend the evening studying the competition, planning tactics, and trying to improve River Moon’s chances of winning.

Character Development

• Zhang Jun: Learns the enormous financial success of his merchandise and becomes more open to commercializing his horses’ stories through animation and games. He also willingly accepts a new challenge by agreeing to train as a voice actor.
• Guo Feng: Demonstrates ambitious business vision, expanding from merchandise into a multi-platform entertainment franchise designed to reach different age groups.
• Zheng Xing and Shan Yao: Show their practical commitment to River Moon’s upcoming race by carefully analyzing her opponents and race strategy.
• River Moon: Gains increased narrative importance as the only member of the Four Little Fortunes without a major victory, with her upcoming CN2 race potentially completing the group.

Significant Themes

• Commercialization of success: Victories on the racetrack generate merchandise, profits, and broader media opportunities.
• Expansion of sports into entertainment: Horse racing is presented as a source of stories for anime, games, films, and children’s programming.
• Underdog narratives: Cloudstream Flying Shadow and Flying Cloud Colt’s careers illustrate how perseverance and reversal of fortune can create powerful inspirational stories.
• Targeted media development: Different adaptations are designed for different demographics, from children to young adults and older audiences.
• Teamwork and preparation: Despite the focus on business and media, the characters remain committed to the horses’ actual racing performance, particularly River Moon’s difficult upcoming contest.

Character Interactions

• Guo Feng presents Zhang Jun with sales data, merchandise designs, and his plans for future IP projects; Zhang responds with surprise, interest, and approval.
• Guo Feng explains the contrast between the horse-girl anime and the child-friendly horse-doll show, helping Zhang understand the strategy.
• Zhang agrees to voice the trainer characters and promises to pursue voice-acting training.
• Later, Zheng Xing and Shan Yao collaborate with Zhang to assess the Funing Mile field and formulate a race plan for River Moon.

Chapter Summary: “Funing Mile”

Key Plot Points and Events

• In the second week of June, Zhang Jun visits his horse, River Moon, at Funing Racecourse before the CN2 Funing Mile. River Moon is healthy and in excellent condition.
• The upcoming race is a 1,600-meter event with fifteen competitors. River Moon draws gate six, an advantageous middle position for a front-running strategy.
• Zhang Jun, trainer Zheng Xing, and jockey Ning Fei have devised an unconventional breakaway strategy. Because River Moon has weak acceleration but improved top speed, they plan for him to accelerate from the start and build an insurmountable lead before the final straight.
• Before the race, the chapter introduces River Moon’s major rivals:
  • Magnolia Blossom, a local four-year-old who stalks leaders before making a move around the turn.
  • Lone Smoke over Mohe, the defending Funing Mile champion and race favorite, who usually stays toward the back before unleashing a powerful late charge.
• At the start, Ning Fei immediately urges River Moon forward. River Moon takes the lead and quickly opens a gap of one and a half lengths.
• Magnolia Blossom follows closely, but River Moon continues accelerating. After 600 meters, he has established a four- to five-length lead, despite the unusually fast pace for Funing Racecourse.
• As River Moon approaches the turn, the lead expands to roughly ten lengths. The pursuing horses are forced into an unfavorable choice: chase him early and exhaust themselves, or let him build too large a lead.
• Magnolia Blossom’s jockey and other competitors begin accelerating early in an attempt to catch him. Lone Smoke over Mohe, initially held back, is pulled wide and whipped into an early acceleration as the gap becomes alarming.
• The chapter ends with River Moon entering the turn far ahead while Lone Smoke over Mohe begins his pursuit.

Character Developments

• Zhang Jun is shown as deeply attached to River Moon and confident in the horse’s preparation. His comments about River Moon being the only survivor of four young horses suggest a strong emotional bond and a sense of responsibility toward him.
• Zheng Xing demonstrates strategic confidence and careful preparation. His breakaway plan is designed to exploit River Moon’s strengths while minimizing the danger posed by stronger-finishing rivals.
• Ning Fei proves disciplined and tactically intelligent. He follows the plan, carefully manages River Moon’s acceleration, and avoids pushing the horse too hard too early.
• Guan Meng, riding Magnolia Blossom, becomes increasingly anxious as River Moon’s unexpected strategy disrupts his intended stalking approach.
• Du Wei, riding Lone Smoke over Mohe, is forced to abandon his normal closing strategy and accelerate much earlier than planned.

Significant Themes

• Strategy versus instinct: The race is presented as a tactical contest, with each horse’s racing style shaping the decisions of its jockey.
• Exploiting strengths and weaknesses: River Moon’s poor acceleration is countered by using a long, gradual acceleration to maximize his improved top speed.
• Risk and commitment: The breakaway strategy is dangerous because it demands careful stamina management, but failing to use it would likely leave River Moon vulnerable in the final stretch.
• Loyalty and perseverance: Zhang Jun’s remarks about River Moon being the last of the four young horses highlight endurance, survival, and the emotional ties between people and animals.
• Pressure and disruption: River Moon’s unexpected early lead forces the other competitors to abandon their preferred tactics and react under pressure.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Jun and Zheng Xing discuss River Moon’s condition and the importance of the coming race, sharing quiet confidence in their preparation.
• Zhang Jun gives River Moon personal encouragement, treating him with affection rather than merely as a competitor.
• Zheng Xing instructs Ning Fei to follow the agreed plan but prioritize River Moon’s safety if the horse shows signs of distress.
• During the race, Ning Fei’s aggressive start surprises Guan Meng and the other jockeys.
• Guan Meng attempts to stay near River Moon but eventually falls back into the forward pack, while Du Wei is compelled to launch Lone Smoke over Mohe into an early chase.

Chapter Summary: “Victory, Recuperation, Rising Fame”

Key Plot Points and Events

• During the race, Ning Fei successfully lures Magnolia Blossom and Lone Smoke over Mohe into making premature moves. Once they commit, he urges River Moon into a decisive acceleration.
• River Moon experiences a breakthrough in his Burst Power, increasing from D+ to C, and continues accelerating even after leading for 1,100 meters.
• The pursuing horses—especially Magnolia Blossom, Lone Smoke over Mohe, and Bamboo Shadow of South Sea—fail to close the gap. River Moon enters the final straight with a lead of roughly fourteen lengths.
• Although River Moon’s speed begins to decline, the gap remains too large for the others to overcome. He crosses the finish line first by four lengths.
• The win gives River Moon a perfect record of five victories in five starts, elevating him from Class C to CN2 and confirming him as a remarkably powerful breakaway runner.
• After the race, River Moon receives a celebratory dinner, while the human team gathers for a victory banquet.
• Zheng Xing advises that River Moon needs extended recovery because his uninterrupted acceleration placed extraordinary strain on his body. Zhang Jun agrees to a rest period followed by turnout at Jianzhou Ranch throughout the off-season.
• River Moon returns to the ranch, where veterinarians regularly monitor him for hidden injuries.
• Meanwhile, Zhang Jun’s reputation spreads nationwide. Newspapers, racing publications, bloggers, and video creators praise his ability to identify overlooked horses and his previously promoted horse-health principles.
• The account “The Ponies’ Daily Life” gains followers, and Guo Feng capitalizes on the publicity by launching Four Little Blessings merchandise, which becomes widely popular.

Character Developments

• Ning Fei demonstrates exceptional tactical judgment by baiting the opposing jockeys, then coordinating perfectly with River Moon during the decisive breakaway. He has grown into a confident, intelligent jockey who understands his mount’s limits and knows when to stop pushing.
• River Moon reaches a major athletic and emotional breakthrough. His improved Burst Power reflects both physical growth and a fierce determination to never again surrender the lead. His bond with Ning Fei deepens as they work together as partners.
• Zhang Jun becomes more confident as a trainer and horse evaluator. His willingness to prioritize River Moon’s health shows responsible judgment, while the race increases his national prominence.
• Zheng Xing acts as a cautious and knowledgeable adviser, emphasizing long-term recovery over immediately pursuing more victories.
• Guo Feng proves skilled at turning the team’s growing fame into commercial success through the Four Little Blessings merchandise campaign.

Significant Themes

• Teamwork and mutual trust: River Moon’s victory depends on his partnership with Ning Fei, whose signals and restraint allow the horse to give his best without being pushed recklessly.
• Breakthrough through perseverance: River Moon’s improved ability emerges under pressure, symbolizing how past failures can fuel determination and growth.
• The cost of victory: The race’s triumph comes with physical consequences, emphasizing that athletic success must be balanced with recovery and care.
• Responsible horsemanship: The decision to rest River Moon rather than exploit his winning streak highlights concern for the animal’s long-term well-being.
• Recognition and rising fame: Zhang Jun’s success transforms him from an obscure horse buyer into a nationally respected figure, while the team learns to benefit from its sudden public attention.

Character Interactions

• Ning Fei and River Moon communicate almost wordlessly through the reins, riding crop, rhythm, and physical effort. Ning Fei initially urges River Moon with the crop, then removes it once River Moon’s fighting spirit and breakthrough become clear.
• Zhang Jun and Zheng Xing celebrate the victory together before shifting to a serious discussion about River Moon’s health and future schedule.
• The spectators, Zhang Jun, and Zheng Xing enthusiastically cheer River Moon through the final stretch, sharing in the emotional impact of his dominant win.
• The team’s private celebration contrasts with River Moon’s own recovery meal, reinforcing the close connection between the humans’ celebration and the horse’s achievement.

Chapter Summary: “(Transition) Interview with a Critic”

Key Plot Points and Events

• In mid-June, Zhang Jun prepares nervously for a televised video interview with the famous racing critic known as General Pacifying the East.
• Guo Feng and Luo Fei arrange the interview to increase Zhang Jun’s public profile and promote their upcoming anime and game.
• The critic asks Zhang Jun how several horses with poor records under previous owners—such as Cloudstream Flying Shadow, Flying Cloud Colt, River Moon, Forest Hero, and Mountain Patrol Leopard—managed to win Graded Stakes after joining his stable.
• Zhang Jun explains that luck contributed, but his success also came from carefully analyzing pedigree and race footage:
  • He recognized that Cloudstream Flying Shadow had likely been mismanaged because her bloodline favored turf races over 1,600 meters, not short dirt races.
  • He saw hidden potential in Flying Cloud Colt’s powerful finishing kick despite his failure to win in several starts.
• The interview then focuses on Zhang Jun’s racing philosophy, especially his rule that safety comes before victory.
• Zhang Jun explains that he has seen injured horses forced into retirement and refuses to treat racehorses as disposable tools. He regards them as friends and partners who trust him with their lives.
• General Pacifying the East praises this attitude and then asks about Zhang Jun’s distinctive breeding decisions, noting that all six of his broodmares conceived successfully. The chapter does not reveal the full details of Zhang Jun’s breeding philosophy.
• After the interview is posted online, it generates widespread discussion. Most viewers, critics, racing professionals, owners, trainers, and jockeys respond positively.
• Guo Feng uses the attention surrounding Zhang Jun to promote his company’s anime and game, since Zhang’s growing popularity now exceeds that of Central Racehorse.

Character Developments

• Zhang Jun demonstrates that his success is based not merely on luck, but on careful observation, pedigree analysis, and attention to details overlooked by statistics.
• He also publicly establishes himself as a compassionate and responsible owner who values horses’ lives and well-being above short-term victories.
• Although nervous before and during the interview, Zhang Jun successfully presents himself as sincere, knowledgeable, and principled, strengthening his reputation in the racing community.
• General Pacifying the East is shown as an influential, experienced critic with high standards. His initial probing questions become genuine admiration once he hears Zhang Jun’s reasoning and philosophy.
• Guo Feng and Luo Fei act strategically, using Zhang Jun’s success as a platform for broader publicity and commercial promotion.

Significant Themes

• Hidden potential and proper evaluation: A horse’s past record may not reflect its true ability if it has been trained for unsuitable surfaces, distances, or racing conditions.
• The importance of observation: Race footage and individual performance details can reveal qualities that statistics and win-loss records conceal.
• Animal welfare and responsibility: The chapter contrasts owners who view horses as profit-making tools with Zhang Jun, who sees them as living partners deserving care and protection.
• Trust and companionship: Zhang Jun’s affectionate interactions with the horses emphasize the mutual bond between owner and animal.
• Reputation and public image: The interview marks a transition in Zhang Jun’s career, turning his private philosophy and racing success into a widely recognized public identity.
• Commercial opportunism: The positive publicity surrounding Zhang Jun is also used to market the anime and game, linking sporting success with entertainment promotion.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Jun and General Pacifying the East: Their respectful interview develops from formal questioning into a meaningful exchange. The critic challenges Zhang Jun to justify his success, while Zhang responds with prepared but sincere explanations. The critic ultimately applauds his humane philosophy.
• Zhang Jun and his horses: His memories of Shadow Hunter searching his pockets for snacks, Cloudstream Flying Shadow affectionately rubbing against him, and Flying Cloud Colt accompanying him beneath a tree illustrate their trust and emotional closeness.
• Guo Feng and Luo Fei with Zhang Jun: They support and promote him, recognizing that his rising reputation can benefit both his racing career and their entertainment projects.
• Zhang Jun and the broader racing community: Through the interview and subsequent online discussion, he moves from being a rising owner to a respected figure whose methods and values attract praise from professionals and fans alike.

Chapter Summary: “Derby Draw and Formidable Central Rivals”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Four days after Zhang Jun’s interview, the owners, trainers, and jockeys of the fifteen horses entered in the Eight Min Local Derby: Dirt Race gather for the official gate draw.
• Zhang reviews the field:
  • Shadow Hunter is the strongest local horse, undefeated in four starts and the winner of several major races.
  • Southern Township and Longxi Mad Shark are accomplished rivals but have fallen behind Shadow Hunter in ability.
  • Jiahe Storm is a former top contender, but an injury has damaged its acceleration and reduced its threat as a closer.
  • Feet on the Ground, a Central Racehorse, is considered the most dangerous rival. It has the same D+ Speed as Shadow Hunter, strong B-grade Acceleration, and an early-maturing growth type.
• The formal gate draw begins, conducted by famous jockey Hua Li and trainer Zuo Xiong in transparent boxes to ensure fairness.
• Southern Township draws gate three, an excellent position for its front-running style. Its owner announces that the horse will use the same breakaway tactics it attempted in the Two-Year-Old Stakes.
• Feet on the Ground is drawn next and receives gate eleven, causing Zhang and his team considerable concern.
• Jiahe Storm draws gate fourteen.
• Shadow Hunter is left until last and receives the worst possible position: gate fifteen, the outermost lane.
• Zhang publicly jokes about having used up all his luck when purchasing Shadow Hunter and repeats his usual philosophy that safety comes first. Privately, however, he and his team worry about how the horse can overcome the unfavorable draw.

2. Character Developments

• Zhang Jun remains outwardly calm and humorous, but the gate fifteen draw clearly frustrates and worries him. He tries to reassure himself and his team by emphasizing Shadow Hunter’s safety rather than victory.
• Lin Zhi becomes anxious, feeling that Shadow Hunter is unlucky in major Grade One races. He recalls the horse’s poor start in the Two-Year-Old Stakes and fears another setback.
• Shan Yao begins considering race tactics after realizing the outside gate will make the race much more difficult.
• Southern Township’s owner, Wen, shows confidence in his horse and its front-running strategy after drawing gate three.
• Feet on the Ground’s camp celebrates its favorable draw, while the Jiahe Storm team is disappointed but relieved to avoid gate fifteen.
• Shadow Hunter is established as the favorite, but the chapter emphasizes that its strongest challenge may come from a horse outside the local racing circuit.

3. Significant Themes

• Luck versus preparation: The draw shows how much a horse’s prospects can depend on chance, even when ability and training are strong.
• Strategic importance of positioning: Gate placement is especially important for horses with different running styles—front-runners benefit from inside gates, while an outer gate can force a horse to expend extra energy.
• Respect for hidden rivals: Feet on the Ground’s injury-delayed career makes it less famous than the local champions, but its attributes suggest it may be the true danger.
• Safety over glory: Zhang’s repeated statement that Shadow Hunter’s safety matters most reflects his protective attitude and contrasts with the competitive ambitions of the other camps.
• Public confidence versus private anxiety: The ceremony is formal and celebratory, but the reactions of the teams reveal intense pressure beneath the surface.

4. Character Interactions

• Mu Fei opens the ceremony by explaining the history and importance of the Local Derby.
• Hua Li and Zuo Xiong conduct the draw while the owners, trainers, and jockeys react nervously to each result.
• Southern Township’s owner speaks confidently about gate three and its intended breakaway tactics.
• Zhang exchanges a lighthearted joke with the Southern Township owner, who offers to trade some of his good gate-drawing luck for Zhang’s horse-buying luck.
• Zhang’s remarks amuse the crowd but also conceal his concern over Shadow Hunter’s disastrous outside draw.
• The chapter ends with the ceremony formally concluded, leaving Zhang and his team to devise a strategy for the difficult race ahead.

Chapter Summary: “First Derby”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Eight Min Local Derby begins at Mindu Racecourse, drawing a packed crowd and intense attention from across Min Province.
• Zhang Jun and Luo Fei watch nervously from the owners’ seats as Shadow Hunter prepares to race. Although Shadow Hunter is calm and in excellent condition, his Gate Fifteen draw places him at a disadvantage.
• The pre-race favorite is Feet on the Ground, a powerful Central Racehorse. Zhang uses his ability to inspect the horse’s attributes and discovers that Feet on the Ground and Shadow Hunter are now relatively evenly matched, though the gate draw gives Feet on the Ground an advantage.
• Shadow Hunter receives an enthusiastic home-crowd welcome. Jockey Shan Yao is reminded by trainer Lin Zhi to follow their planned strategy: avoid rushing early and conserve energy.
• Once the race begins, Southern Township breaks sharply and takes the lead, attempting to establish a breakaway. Longxi Mad Shark leads the stalking group, while Feet on the Ground and Shadow Hunter settle farther back.
• Shadow Hunter breaks cleanly but deliberately stays near the rear of the midpack, running in thirteenth and later twelfth position. This follows the team’s strategy of maintaining a steady rhythm instead of wasting energy fighting for position.
• Southern Township continues to widen the lead, while the rest of the field divides into a front-running group, a stalking group, and a midpack group.
• The announced 800-meter split is an extremely fast 50.2 seconds. Lin Zhi recognizes that the effective pace set for most of the field is closer to 52.5 seconds, with Longxi Mad Shark controlling the main race rhythm despite Southern Township’s apparent lead.
• Feet on the Ground suddenly accelerates from the second straight with 800 meters still remaining. His move is unusually early and risks exhausting his stamina before the final sprint.
• Lin Zhi immediately realizes something is wrong or strategically significant and reacts angrily, leaving the chapter on a cliffhanger as the race begins to change dramatically.

Character Developments

• Zhang Jun remains deeply anxious because of the Derby’s importance and Shadow Hunter’s unfavorable outside draw, but his confidence improves after evaluating Feet on the Ground’s statistics.
• Shadow Hunter demonstrates maturity and discipline. Unlike his previous tendency toward overexcitement, he remains calm before the race and follows the planned pace without recklessly chasing the leaders.
• Shan Yao shows growing tactical discipline as a jockey. She obeys Lin Zhi’s instructions, avoids premature acceleration, and keeps Shadow Hunter positioned safely on the outside of the midpack.
• Lin Zhi acts as the team’s tactical authority. He carefully monitors the pace, recognizes the difference between Southern Township’s pace and the field’s true rhythm, and quickly identifies Feet on the Ground’s early move as potentially dangerous or unexpected.
• Feet on the Ground is presented as a highly capable rival whose jockey is willing to abandon a conservative stalking strategy and make an aggressive early attack.

Significant Themes

• Strategy versus instinct: Shadow Hunter’s team emphasizes patience and energy conservation, while Feet on the Ground makes a risky early move.
• Pressure and expectation: The Derby represents the highest honor available to local three-year-old dirt racers, increasing the emotional stakes for Zhang Jun and the home team.
• Growth and maturity: Shadow Hunter’s calmness and controlled racing suggest development since his earlier championship appearance.
• The importance of pace and positioning: The chapter highlights how apparent race leadership can differ from the true pace controlling the field, and how gate position and timing influence the outcome.
• Uncertainty in competition: Even careful plans can be disrupted by an opponent’s unexpected tactical decision.

Character Interactions

• Luo Fei reassures Zhang Jun and reminds him that Shadow Hunter is in excellent condition.
• Lin Zhi briefs Shan Yao before the race, instructing her not to rush and to maintain their planned rhythm.
• Shan Yao follows Lin Zhi’s guidance during the opening stages, while Lin monitors the race from the owners’ area and approves of her execution.
• Zhang Jun and Lin Zhi analyze the split times together, with Lin explaining that Longxi Mad Shark—not Southern Township—is effectively setting the main pace.
• Lin Zhi and the observers react sharply to Feet on the Ground’s sudden early acceleration, setting up the chapter’s unresolved turning point.

Chapter Summary: “Fight to the Death”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Feet on the Ground employs a tactical strategy against Shadow Hunter by accelerating early—not to sprint away immediately, but to force Shadow Hunter to abandon his planned racing rhythm.
• Lin Zhi, Zhang Jun, and Luo Fei recognize the danger: if Shadow Hunter responds too soon, he may waste stamina and lose his finishing kick; if he does not respond, Feet on the Ground could gain an uncatchable positional advantage.
• Shan Yao analyzes the situation and chooses not to accelerate prematurely, trusting Shadow Hunter’s stamina and sticking to the pre-race plan of moving up during the third turn.
• Feet on the Ground settles behind the runaway leader, Southern Township, while Shadow Hunter maintains his position in the stalking pack.
• At the entrance to the third turn, Shan Yao finally urges Shadow Hunter forward. He accelerates sharply, moving from twelfth place to sixth by the fourth turn and rapidly closing on the leaders.
• Feet on the Ground also begins his planned acceleration at the fourth turn. His jockey, Ding Peng, pushes him aggressively, following instructions to launch an early finishing drive before Shadow Hunter can overtake him.
• In the final straight, Feet on the Ground passes Southern Township and takes the lead. Shadow Hunter bursts forward from the outside, overtaking Longxi Mad Shark and beginning a fierce pursuit.
• Shadow Hunter closes the gap from two lengths to half a length over the final three hundred meters, eventually drawing level with Feet on the Ground.
• Both horses continue accelerating in the final fifty meters, refusing to yield. They pull more than five lengths ahead of the rest of the field, creating a direct duel between them.
• The chapter ends with the two horses running side by side near the finish, leaving the winner unresolved.

Character Developments

• Shan Yao demonstrates composure and strategic discipline. Although she recognizes the threat posed by Feet on the Ground, she resists the temptation to react too early and maintains confidence in Shadow Hunter’s abilities.
• Shadow Hunter displays exceptional acceleration, stamina, and determination. He patiently follows his rhythm before unleashing a powerful charge around the turn and continuing to fight despite extreme exhaustion.
• Ding Peng follows his trainer’s strategy with fierce commitment. He pushes Feet on the Ground beyond his limits, relying on the horse’s grit to maintain the lead.
• Feet on the Ground is portrayed as both strategically intelligent and extraordinarily tough. Even after Shadow Hunter catches him, he finds another burst of speed and refuses to surrender.
• Zhang Jun, Lin Zhi, and Luo Fei serve as knowledgeable observers who understand the tactical stakes of the race, while the crowd’s growing excitement reflects the importance of the contest.
• Li Mengfei, the commentator, shifts from analytical explanation to barely controlled excitement as the race becomes an extraordinary head-to-head battle.

Significant Themes

• Strategy versus instinct: The race is determined not only by speed but by when each horse accelerates and how the jockeys manage stamina.
• Trust and discipline: Shan Yao’s decision to trust the pre-race plan contrasts with the pressure to react immediately to Feet on the Ground’s tactics.
• Endurance and willpower: Both horses push past physical exhaustion, making the final stretch a test of grit as much as athletic ability.
• Rivalry and pride: The race is framed as a symbolic confrontation between the central circuit and the local circuit, elevating the contest beyond a simple sporting event.
• Mutual determination: Neither horse yields when the other draws level, emphasizing the equal strength and fighting spirit of both competitors.

Character Interactions

• Lin Zhi explains Feet on the Ground’s strategy to Zhang Jun and Luo Fei, helping them understand the tactical danger.
• Shan Yao interacts primarily with Shadow Hunter through the reins, whip, and her carefully timed commands, coordinating closely with the horse during the acceleration.
• Ding Peng drives Feet on the Ground with increasingly forceful whip strikes and physical effort, acting on his trainer’s instructions to secure an early lead.
• Shadow Hunter and Feet on the Ground become locked in a direct physical and symbolic duel in the final stretch, while the commentators and spectators amplify the tension with their reactions.

Chapter Summary: “An Indescribable Feeling”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Derby reaches an extraordinarily close finish between Shadow Hunter, ridden by Shan Yao, and Feet on the Ground, ridden by Ding Peng.
• Both horses and jockeys push themselves to their absolute limits. They cross the finish line simultaneously, forcing officials to conduct an extensive photo-finish review.
• The other runners finish behind them: Longxi Mad Shark takes third, Jiahe Storm fourth, and Southern Township fifth.
• While the result is pending, Shadow Hunter and Feet on the Ground are comforted by their jockeys. Their owners, Zhang Jun and Liu Jiaming, acknowledge the race as one of the most thrilling they have ever witnessed.
• Officials finally announce that the two horses are joint winners of the 64th Eight Min Regional Derby Dirt Championship.
• Zhang Jun, his friends, the owners, trainers, and jockeys celebrate emotionally. Shan Yao cries with happiness, repeatedly saying that she has won the Derby.
• At the press conference, both owners accept the dead heat as the fairest possible result and share the Derby trophy.

Character Developments

• Zhang Jun completes a major transformation. Once inexperienced and struggling after his father’s death, he has become a confident Derby-winning owner. His overwhelming emotion shows how deeply he has invested himself in Shadow Hunter’s journey.
• Shadow Hunter proves his strength and determination, overcoming the disadvantage of starting from the outermost gate and fighting back to match Feet on the Ground.
• Shan Yao demonstrates composure and resilience under extreme pressure. Her tears and repeated declaration that she won reveal how personally meaningful the victory is to her.
• Luo Fei feels proud of Zhang Jun’s growth and reflects on how far he has come. He silently tells the deceased Brother An that Zhang Jun has fulfilled—and exceeded—the hopes placed in him.
• Liu Jiaming shows sportsmanship and maturity. Despite being a longtime owner accustomed to major races, he admits this contest moved him more than any previous one.
• Ding Peng and Shan Yao both recognize that their horses relied on sheer willpower during the final stretch, emphasizing the physical and emotional intensity of the race.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance and willpower: Both horses continue despite exhaustion, showing that victory depends not only on ability but also on determination.
• Fairness and shared achievement: The dead heat allows both competitors to receive recognition, presenting the result as a fitting reward for two equally outstanding performances.
• Growth through loss and struggle: Zhang Jun’s success represents his recovery from grief and his transformation into someone capable of carrying on his family’s hopes.
• Respect between competitors: Zhang Jun and Liu Jiaming admire one another rather than treating the other side as an enemy. Their mutual respect turns the race into a shared, lifelong memory.
• Emotional fulfillment: The Derby is meaningful not simply because of the trophy, but because of the relationships, sacrifices, and personal journeys behind it.

Important Character Interactions

• Zhang Jun and Liu Jiaming shake hands before the result is announced and later share the trophy, symbolizing mutual respect.
• Shan Yao comforts Shadow Hunter after the race, while the horse responds affectionately by touching her face.
• Ding Peng similarly reassures Feet on the Ground, showing the close bond between jockey and horse.
• Zhang Jun embraces Luo Fei in celebration, while Luo Fei privately connects Zhang Jun’s achievement to Brother An’s memory.
• At the press conference, Zhang Jun thanks Liu Jiaming, Lin Zhi, Shan Yao, and Shadow Hunter for their roles in the race. Liu Jiaming returns the praise, affirming that both horses deserved the championship.

Chapter Summary: The Unwilling Shadow Hunter

Key Plot Points and Events

• The night after the Derby, Zhang Jun notices that Shadow Hunter has become unusually quiet, spending his time eating and sleeping instead of playing or begging for treats.
• While Zhang Jun and Luo Heng monitor him, Shadow Hunter suddenly becomes agitated, pins his ears back, and repeatedly kicks the stall wall with great force.
• Zhang rushes to comfort him. Shadow Hunter is trembling and tearful, but gradually calms when Zhang embraces and reassures him.
• Zhang realizes that Shadow Hunter’s distress is connected to the Derby. Shadow Hunter believed he had lost because he failed to overtake Feet on the Ground before the finish line.
• Zhang explains that they were co-champions because both horses crossed the finish line at the same time. Once Shadow Hunter understands, his anxiety and sadness disappear.
• Relieved, Shadow Hunter affectionately rubs against Zhang and asks for treats, returning to his usual personality.
• Zhang and Luo Heng decide to edit and post footage of Shadow Hunter’s “tantrum,” expecting it to become popular. When the others arrive and laugh at the incident, Shadow Hunter sulks again by kicking the door and turning his back on them.

Character Developments

• Zhang Jun demonstrates close attention to Shadow Hunter’s behavior and a deep emotional bond with him. He patiently interprets the horse’s feelings and reassures him.
• Shadow Hunter is shown to be highly intelligent, competitive, emotionally sensitive, and proud. His unusual withdrawal comes from frustration and the mistaken belief that he lost. After Zhang explains the result, he becomes affectionate and playful again.
• Luo Heng initially doubts that Shadow Hunter can understand a complicated explanation but comes to accept how perceptive the horse is. He also shares Zhang’s amusement at the situation.
• The ranch staff are surprised by Shadow Hunter’s emotional reaction and laugh fondly at his childish behavior.

Significant Themes

• Misunderstanding and communication: Shadow Hunter’s distress is resolved when Zhang identifies the cause and explains the truth in terms the horse can understand.
• Emotional intelligence and animal-human bonds: The chapter emphasizes Shadow Hunter’s ability to experience complex emotions and Zhang’s ability to recognize and respond to them.
• Pride and competitiveness: Shadow Hunter cannot accept what he thinks is a defeat, revealing how strongly he values winning.
• Affection and reassurance: Zhang’s patience and physical comfort help Shadow Hunter recover, showing the importance of trust and companionship.
• Humor in vulnerability: Shadow Hunter’s dramatic reaction transforms a tense situation into an amusing, affectionate episode.

Character Interactions

• Zhang and Luo Heng discuss Shadow Hunter’s abnormal behavior while watching the surveillance feed.
• Zhang comforts Shadow Hunter physically and verbally, eventually explaining the meaning of a tie.
• Shadow Hunter seeks confirmation from Zhang, then responds with affection once reassured.
• Zhang and Luo Heng agree to share the incident online for comedic effect.
• When the rest of the group laughs at Shadow Hunter, he responds with embarrassed indignation by kicking the stall door and turning his back on them.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• After resting and eating, Zhang Jun edits surveillance footage of Shadow Hunter into a three-minute video for The Ponies’ Daily Life account.
• The video reveals that Shadow Hunter had been unusually calm, then became distressed after the Derby. He kicked his stall wall and whinnied because he believed he had lost to Feet on the Ground.
• Zhang Jun comforts and explains that they had finished as co-champions, having crossed the finish line together. Shadow Hunter eventually responds with a long, emotional neigh.
• The footage ends with the humans laughing at Shadow Hunter’s misunderstanding while he turns away indignantly.
• The video goes viral, with viewers praising Shadow Hunter’s intelligence, pride, competitive spirit, and his bond with Zhang Jun. Feet on the Ground’s camp also praises him and expresses interest in another race.
• Remembering his promise to Shadow Hunter, Zhang Jun publicly challenges Feet on the Ground to a rematch.
• Liu Jiaming and trainer Wen Ze discuss the challenge. They recognize that Feet on the Ground may already have reached his physical peak, while Shadow Hunter is still developing and could become stronger later in the year.
• Wen Ze nevertheless believes that repeatedly competing against a powerful rival could help Feet on the Ground break through his limits, despite potentially harming his future record.
• Liu Jiaming accepts the challenge and selects the G2 Mindu Memorial, an 1,800-meter turf race at Mindu Central Racecourse in September.
• Three days later, Feet on the Ground’s camp formally announces its acceptance. Zhang Jun immediately confirms that Shadow Hunter’s camp will meet them there.

Character Developments

• Shadow Hunter: Revealed to be highly intelligent, emotionally sensitive, proud, and deeply determined to win. His recovery from frustration shows that understanding the result restores his confidence and spirit.
• Zhang Jun: Demonstrates close emotional insight into Shadow Hunter and acts as both owner and emotional supporter. He keeps his promise by arranging the rematch.
• Liu Jiaming: Shows respect for Shadow Hunter and adopts a bold, long-term approach by accepting a risky challenge for Feet on the Ground’s development.
• Wen Ze: Provides the strategic assessment of both horses’ growth potential and identifies the rematch as an opportunity for Feet on the Ground to surpass his current limits.
• Feet on the Ground: Is portrayed as disciplined and intensely competitive, continuing to train immediately after the first race despite being considered an early-maturing horse.

Significant Themes

• Animal intelligence and emotion: Shadow Hunter understands competition, victory, and defeat, challenging assumptions about racehorses’ emotional and intellectual abilities.
• Trust and communication: Zhang Jun’s ability to interpret and reassure Shadow Hunter highlights the bond between horse and owner.
• Pride and the desire to win: Shadow Hunter’s distress comes not from physical failure but from believing he had lost, emphasizing his strong competitive identity.
• Growth through rivalry: The planned rematch presents competition as a means for both horses—especially Feet on the Ground—to improve.
• Sportsmanship and mutual respect: Both camps acknowledge the other horse’s abilities and frame the rematch as a fair test rather than hostility.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Jun comforts Shadow Hunter and patiently explains the meaning of a co-championship.
• Online viewers respond emotionally, praising the horse-owner relationship and debating the intelligence of racehorses.
• Zhang Jun publicly challenges Liu Jiaming’s camp, promising Shadow Hunter another chance to race Feet on the Ground.
• Liu Jiaming consults Wen Ze before accepting, while Wen Ze evaluates the horses’ contrasting development and racing potential.
• The two camps agree to settle the rivalry at the September Mindu Memorial: a turf-based, 1,800-meter G2 race.

Chapter Summary: The Young Fillies’ Training Progress

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Jun returns to Jianzhou Ranch with Luo Yong, reflecting on how differently he views the ranch compared with his grief-filled visit the previous year. His growing success as a horse owner has changed his outlook, making the once-gray surroundings now seem vibrant and hopeful.
• He visits the training area to inspect Wind-Chasing Hound and Lightning Chaser, the two young fillies he owns.
• Both fillies have completed desensitization training and have been undergoing race training for two and a half months. Their bodies are more muscular, they weigh about 430 kilograms each, and they have learned most racing commands.
• Several ranch customers have been impressed by the fillies and offered more than one or two million yuan for each, but Zhang Jun refuses to sell any horse under his name. He may eventually sell their offspring if he establishes his own ranch, provided strong retirement and safety protections are included in the contracts.
• The system shows that both fillies’ attributes have improved:
  • Wind-Chasing Hound: Strength and burst power rise from C to C+.
  • Lightning Chaser: Strength rises from C+ to B, and spirit from B to B+.
• After training, Zhang affectionately feeds and plays with both horses. They eagerly welcome him, showing strong attachment despite his long absence.
• Luo Yong explains the trainers’ evaluations:
  • Wind-Chasing Hound is faster and has respectable strength, but remains timid. She is likely capable of winning a CN1 race, though G2 competition may be beyond her unless she performs exceptionally.
  • Lightning Chaser is less fast but much stronger, has superior acceleration, and has overcome her former fearfulness. She also has a chance of winning a CN1 race and has received especially strong praise from the trainers.
• Zhang is particularly surprised by Lightning Chaser’s development, since she had originally been the more timid of the two.
• After the fillies are bathed and fall asleep, Zhang visits six pregnant mares, all of whom appear healthy and alert. They relax upon recognizing him.

Character Developments

• Zhang Jun has grown from a grief-stricken newcomer into a confident and successful horse owner. His changed perception of the ranch reflects his emotional recovery and renewed hope.
• He demonstrates a strong sense of loyalty and responsibility by refusing lucrative offers for his horses and considering future contracts that protect retired animals and guarantee their safety.
• Wind-Chasing Hound has made solid physical and racing progress but retains a naturally timid temperament. Her improvement exceeds Zhang’s original expectations.
• Lightning Chaser undergoes the most dramatic transformation. She becomes physically powerful, more confident in unfamiliar environments, and highly promising as a racehorse.
• Luo Yong continues to act as a supportive friend and knowledgeable adviser. He takes pride in the ranch’s trainers and openly celebrates the fillies’ achievements.
• The ranch’s trainers are shown to be highly competent, successfully transforming difficult young horses into viable racing prospects.

Significant Themes

• Recovery and renewed hope: Zhang’s changed reaction to Jianzhou Ranch symbolizes his movement beyond grief and toward a more hopeful life.
• Growth through training and perseverance: The fillies’ physical and emotional progress demonstrates how patience, skilled instruction, and consistent effort can overcome natural limitations.
• Loyalty over profit: Zhang values his bond with his horses more than immediate financial gain.
• Responsible animal ownership: His plans for retirement buybacks and safety guarantees emphasize long-term care rather than treating horses as mere commodities.
• Potential versus temperament: The chapter contrasts Wind-Chasing Hound’s speed and shyness with Lightning Chaser’s strength and newfound confidence.

Character Interactions

• Luo Yong and Zhang Jun discuss Zhang’s personal growth and the possibility of purchasing another horse.
• Luo proudly presents the fillies’ progress and shares the ranch’s professional assessments.
• Zhang rejects the possibility of selling the horses, reaffirming his emotional commitment to them.
• The fillies warmly respond to Zhang’s treats and affection, rubbing against him and demonstrating their trust and attachment.
• Zhang’s visit to the pregnant mares further shows his close bond with his horses, as they recognize him and quickly calm down in his presence.

Chapter Summary: “Volunteering Her Services”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After breakfast at Jianzhou Ranch, Zhang Jun visits his racehorses during the off-season.
• Shadow Hunter remains undefeated after five starts and is strongly positioned to win the Best Three-Year-Old Colt award.
• Cloudstream Flying Shadow has become Zhang Jun’s top horse. After winning the Jiahe Stakes, she narrowly won the G2 Longxi Memorial and is now a leading candidate for both the Min Province Local Representative Horse and Older Turf Mare awards.
• Zhang Jun travels to the July horse auctions, hoping to buy more promising young horses now that his racing operations have generated substantial prize money and revenue shares.
• Although he has earned around thirty million, Zhang realizes that purchasing too many horses would leave insufficient funds for a ranch, staff, and maintenance. His realistic budget is only slightly larger than the previous year’s.
• At the regular auction, Zhang examines 218 yearlings using his system. Most have mediocre ratings and limited potential, making valuable bargains difficult to find.
• He is approached by Li Ying, a recent postgraduate specializing in Thoroughbred pedigree research. She applies for future positions as pedigree consultant and ranch manager.
• Li Ying gives Zhang her research on the auction horses, including pedigree details, ability analyses, and evaluations.
• Zhang agrees to discuss her qualifications while inspecting the horses. At Minxi Ranch, Li Ying evaluates Minxi Red Raccoon 2022, warning that although it possesses speed, explosiveness, and strength, both bloodlines carry health risks.
• Zhang secretly checks the horse’s system ratings and confirms Li Ying’s assessment: Explosiveness A, Strength B+, Speed E+, and Health F+. Impressed by her accuracy, he continues listening to her advice.

Character Developments

• Zhang Jun: His success has greatly increased his confidence and financial resources, but he has also become more practical. He recognizes that building a sustainable racing operation requires careful budgeting, proper facilities, staff, and breeding management. He begins considering the need for professional assistance.
• Cloudstream Flying Shadow: She has surpassed Shadow Hunter in ability and established herself as Zhang Jun’s leading racehorse, with strong prospects for multiple awards.
• Shadow Hunter: Continues to demonstrate elite performance, undefeated in five races, while also showing an affectionate relationship with Zhang Jun.
• Li Ying: Introduced as an ambitious and knowledgeable young pedigree specialist. Her initiative, preparation, and willingness to approach Zhang directly show determination. Her accurate evaluation of Minxi Red Raccoon establishes her expertise.

Significant Themes

• Success and responsibility: Zhang Jun’s growing winnings bring opportunities but also greater financial and managerial burdens.
• The importance of expertise: Talent alone is not enough to build a successful ranch; pedigree analysis and professional management will be essential.
• Appearance versus true potential: Many auction horses appear promising but have mediocre system ratings, while pedigree strengths may be undermined by health weaknesses.
• Breeding and long-term planning: Zhang is beginning to think beyond race results and consider how suitable bloodlines could improve future generations.
• Trust based on evidence: Li Ying earns Zhang’s attention not through claims alone, but through a careful analysis that matches the system’s hidden information.

Character Interactions

• Zhang shares affectionate, familiar interactions with Shadow Hunter and Jianzhou Warrior, rewarding them with treats and attention.
• He greets Hong Yun at Minxi Ranch, reflecting his growing familiarity within the racing community.
• Li Ying directly approaches Zhang, explains her background, and offers both her professional services and detailed auction research.
• Zhang initially evaluates her cautiously but becomes interested after confirming that her assessment of Minxi Red Raccoon is accurate.

Chapter Summary

• After changing locations nine times, Zhang Jun confirms that Li Ying’s horse analyses are largely accurate. He tells her she has passed the evaluation and offers her a position as the ranch’s agent. They celebrate briefly at a café and plan to sign a formal employment contract after the ranch purchase.
• Li Ying recommends three foals from the auction’s 218 entries:
  • Energetic Cutie 2022, descended from the G1-winning Sunset and a Xinjiang bloodline.
  • Moon Over the Sea 2022, carrying Halo-related bloodlines and a strong paternal pedigree.
  • Glittering Butterfly 2022, whose pedigree includes Invincible, Mejiro Ardan, Northern Taste, Northern Dancer, and a Nijinsky-line cross.
• Zhang Jun asks his uncle, Liu Yong, to prepare Li Ying’s employment contract, emphasizing racehorse health and safety. Liu quickly adapts an existing contract, and Li Ying reviews and signs it that afternoon.
• Zhang Jun and Li Ying inspect the three foals:
  • Energetic Cutie has strong burst but weak speed and poor breeding potential, making her unsuitable despite her promise.
  • Moon Over the Sea has excellent burst, a favorable growth type, and the potential to reach high racing levels, but his low breeding value makes him only a possible secondary purchase.
  • Glittering Butterfly proves exceptional: he has D+ speed, B+ burst, B strength and flexibility, a 1600–2400-meter range, useful inherited traits, and a breeding value of five. Zhang Jun considers him the best bargain at the auction and marks him as the top choice.
• Concerned that other buyers may be watching his unusually successful purchases, Zhang Jun decides not to bid personally. Instead, he privately messages Li Ying, officially making her his agent and instructing her to buy Glittering Butterfly 2022 without a budget limit.
• The chapter develops Li Ying from a nervous evaluator into Zhang Jun’s trusted employee and representative. Their relationship becomes more professional and cooperative, while Zhang Jun demonstrates strategic caution and confidence in identifying valuable bloodlines and hidden horse attributes.
• Major themes include the importance and limitations of pedigree, the contrast between racing ability and breeding potential, talent recognition, business strategy, and the need to conceal Zhang Jun’s special advantages at the auction.

Chapter Summary: “Gains from Two Auctions”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Two days after signing an agency contract with Li Ying, the auction begins. Li Ying is responsible for purchasing Glittering Butterfly 2022 on Zhang Jun’s behalf.
• Glittering Butterfly 2022 is highly regarded because of its pedigree, conformation, and successful half-siblings. Li Ying waits until the bidding reaches 230,000 yuan before entering.
• She bids decisively and intimidates the remaining competitors, ultimately purchasing the colt for 300,000 yuan. She immediately completes the paperwork, pays the fees, and informs Zhang Jun that she has succeeded.
• The colt is sent to Jianzhou Ranch, where Zhang Jun names him Light-Chasing Envoy. He has strong strength, burst, mental, intelligence, flexibility, and health, with a 1600–2400-meter range and promising breeding potential.
• When the Elite Sale list is released, Li Ying works through all 154 foals overnight, producing pedigree analyses for Zhang Jun. He urges her to rest after seeing how exhausted she is.
• Zhang Jun examines over thirty recommended foals using his ability to check their hidden attributes. He rejects expensive horses with mediocre breeding value and selects four promising prospects.
• Two of the four chosen foals withdraw from the auction. Since their genetic traits are relatively weak, Zhang Jun tells Li Ying not to pursue them privately and instead buy the remaining two.
• Li Ying successfully purchases both remaining fillies for a combined 1.1 million yuan:
  • Sound-Chasing Talisman, formerly Voice of Heaven 2022, bought for 560,000 yuan.
  • Star-Chasing Pegasus, formerly Starlight 2022, also bought for 560,000 yuan.
• Star-Chasing Pegasus is especially valuable because she has an offspring rating of six and possesses the rare Multi-Stage Acceleration genetic trait.

Character Developments

• Li Ying proves herself as a capable and determined agent. Despite her nervousness, she handles the high-pressure bidding confidently and completes every transaction efficiently.
• Her obsessive need to finish all outstanding work is revealed: she cannot sleep comfortably while tasks remain incomplete. This highlights both her dedication and her tendency to overwork herself.
• Zhang Jun demonstrates strategic judgment. He avoids overspending on fashionable but less valuable horses, prioritizing hidden racing potential and breeding attributes.
• Zhang Jun also shows growing trust in Li Ying by assigning her increasingly important purchasing responsibilities.
• Zhang Jun continues his habit of naming the horses according to a consistent “chasing” motif, reinforcing his personal investment in the ranch’s growing stable.

Significant Themes

• Determination and professional competence: Li Ying’s persistence allows her to win a valuable horse despite intense competition.
• Strategic investment: The chapter contrasts superficial auction prestige and high prices with Zhang Jun’s focus on long-term racing and breeding potential.
• Hidden value and opportunity: The system-identified attributes reveal qualities that ordinary buyers may overlook, giving Zhang Jun an advantage.
• Growth of the ranch: The acquisitions expand Jianzhou Ranch’s stable with horses suited to different racing distances, surfaces, and future breeding roles.
• Work ethic versus overexertion: Li Ying’s dedication is admirable but also potentially unhealthy, prompting Zhang Jun to remind her to rest.

Character Interactions

• During the first auction, Li Ying’s aggressive bidding communicates her determination to the other buyers, causing them to withdraw.
• Afterward, Zhang Jun praises her success, and her excitement shows how important his approval is to her career ambitions.
• Zhang Jun gently reprimands Li Ying for working through the night and personally sends her home to rest, revealing a supportive and protective side.
• Li Ying keeps Zhang Jun informed about the withdrawn foals and follows his instructions without hesitation.
• Their cooperation becomes more efficient and trusting, with Li Ying handling negotiations and transactions while Zhang Jun provides analysis and strategic direction.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• After buying three young colts at auction, Zhang Jun spends several days bonding with them. Their friendly personalities allow them to quickly become comfortable with him and one another.
• Zhang Jun posts videos of the foals being fed and playing, attracting a large online audience. Viewers eagerly follow their growth and ask for more footage, enjoying the prospect of watching them develop into racehorses.
• At the end of August, the racing off-season ends. Six active racehorses must return to the stable, while the two late-debuting two-year-old fillies—Wind-Chasing Hound and Lightning Chaser—prepare to enter professional training.
• Trainers, jockeys, Zhang Jun, and stable staff gather at Jianzhou Ranch to receive the horses and organize their return.
• The returning racehorses are weighed. Most have gained only a modest amount of weight due to Jianzhou Ranch’s careful exercise and management:
  • Cloudstream Flying Shadow gains ten kilograms.
  • Forest Hero gains eleven kilograms.
  • River Moon gains five kilograms.
• Zheng Xing compares Jianzhou Ranch’s professionalism with the poor care often available at smaller stables, where racehorses may gain twenty to thirty kilograms of fat during the off-season and require delayed race plans.
• Shadow Hunter becomes the comic exception. Zhang Jun has overfed him with homemade treats during frequent visits, causing him to gain eighteen kilograms. Although embarrassed, Zhang Jun is relieved to learn that some of the weight is muscle because Shadow Hunter continued training.
• The two young fillies complete their final simulated tests before entering the stable. Lin Zhi assigns one filly to himself and the other to Zheng Xing, with Shan Yao and Ning Fei serving as their primary jockeys.
• Zheng Shan and Zheng Xing analyze the fillies’ physical features and test performances. Zheng Shan determines that Wind-Chasing Hound is suited to dirt racing and a frontrunning style because of her build, hoof shape, competitive spirit, and strong acceleration.
• Lin Zhi praises Zheng Shan’s growing ability and announces that Zheng Shan will design the training plan for Lin Zhi’s assigned filly, with Zhang Jun’s approval.

Character Developments

• Zhang Jun grows more attached to his horses, particularly Shadow Hunter, but his affection leads him to indulge the horse excessively. His willingness to accept responsibility shows both his care and his inexperience.
• Shadow Hunter remains intelligent and expressive, using cuteness to obtain treats and even resisting the scale because he knows he has gained weight.
• Zheng Shan demonstrates increasingly advanced knowledge of horse evaluation and training. Though young and inexperienced in business, he is recognized as having abilities comparable to trainers in the Central region.
• Zheng Xing is shown as a talented young trainer with strong analytical ability and ambitions to expand later, though he is deliberately building experience and connections first.
• Lin Zhi acts as a mentor to Zheng Shan, trusting him with greater responsibility and helping prepare him for future advancement.
• Shan Yao and Ning Fei are assigned important roles as the principal jockeys for the two young fillies.

Significant Themes

• Responsible horse care: Proper exercise, feeding, and stable management directly affect a racehorse’s health and racing schedule.
• Affection versus discipline: Zhang Jun’s fondness for Shadow Hunter creates a humorous but potentially harmful situation, showing that care must be balanced with professional judgment.
• Growth and mentorship: Younger trainers gain experience under established professionals, emphasizing gradual development rather than immediate advancement.
• Talent and opportunity: Zheng Shan’s abilities are recognized despite his youth and limited connections, suggesting that skill can earn trust and responsibility.
• Professional standards and inequality: Jianzhou Ranch’s careful management contrasts with the inadequate resources of smaller operations, highlighting the uneven conditions within the racing industry.
• Building for the future: The young fillies and foals represent the next generation of the stable, while the trainers and jockeys prepare to expand their careers and reputation.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Jun’s affectionate visits and treat-giving create a playful bond with Shadow Hunter but also cause tension with the trainers and stable staff.
• The staff and trainers cooperate to force the reluctant Shadow Hunter onto the scale, turning the weighing into a humorous group effort.
• Zheng Xing praises Jianzhou Ranch while privately lamenting the condition of horses from less-funded stables.
• Lin Zhi consults Zheng Shan and Zheng Xing about the fillies, using their responses to assess their professional judgment.
• Lin Zhi gives Zheng Shan a major opportunity by entrusting him with the training plan for one filly, supported by Zhang Jun’s approval.

Chapter Summary: Proposal to Buy a Ranch

Key Plot Points and Events

• While watching eight young horses being loaded for transport to the Jian’an training center, Zhang Jun is stopped by Luo Fei.
• Luo Fei points out that Zhang now owns seventeen horses: eight active racehorses, six broodmares, and three young horses. With two mares pregnant, the number will soon increase.
• Luo Fei warns that Jianzhou Ranch will eventually run out of available stalls as it expands its own breeding program. Zhang must eventually choose between continuing to rent space or purchasing his own ranch.
• Zhang realizes that owning a ranch has always been one of his dreams and that he now has the financial means to pursue it.
• After reviewing his accounts, Zhang calculates that he has approximately 50 million available, earned through race prizes and merchandise related to his horses.
• He discusses the matter with Luo Fei and researches the kinds of ranches available for purchase:
  • Poorly managed or bankrupt ranches with cheap prices but inadequate facilities.
  • Ranches sold because their owners need money, with variable facilities and somewhat reduced prices.
  • Well-maintained ranches whose aging owners have no successors, which are more expensive.
• Zhang decides to reserve 40 million for purchasing a large ranch far from urban development, prioritizing land, future expansion, and sufficient room for his growing number of horses over existing facilities.
• He asks both Luo Fei and Lin Zhi to search for suitable ranches in Min Province.

Character Developments

• Zhang Jun demonstrates increasing independence and financial maturity. He moves from relying on Jianzhou Ranch to seriously planning a permanent base of his own.
• His success as a horse owner becomes clear: within a year, his earnings have grown from only one million in inheritance dividends to approximately 50 million.
• Zhang remains focused and decisive. Once he recognizes the need for a ranch, he immediately calculates his finances and begins making arrangements.
• Luo Fei continues acting as a mentor, giving Zhang practical advice while also helping him plan for the future.
• Lin Zhi’s longstanding connections in Min Province establish him as another valuable resource in Zhang’s expanding horse-racing operation.

Significant Themes

• Growth and responsibility: Zhang’s expanding stable reflects both his success and the increasing responsibilities that come with it.
• Independence versus reliance: Although Jianzhou Ranch has supported Zhang generously, he understands that he should not depend on it indefinitely or hinder its own development.
• Long-term planning: The chapter emphasizes anticipating future needs, including breeding expansion, land requirements, urban development, and the possibility of eventually owning even more horses.
• Financial success and ambition: Zhang’s racing victories and merchandise sales show how his passion has developed into a profitable enterprise.
• Dreams becoming reality: His former dream of living on his own ranch is now financially attainable.

Character Interactions

• Luo Fei gently presses Zhang to consider his future housing and breeding arrangements, offering both continued short-term support and realistic warnings about Jianzhou Ranch’s limited capacity.
• Zhang expresses gratitude and consideration toward Luo Fei, refusing to take unfair advantage of the ranch’s discounted arrangements.
• Zhang consults Luo Fei about the qualities of a suitable ranch, relying on his experience.
• He also turns to Lin Zhi, whose connections may provide additional opportunities and information, showing Zhang’s willingness to build a practical network around his growing operation.

Chapter Summary: “A Grand G1 Stage”

Key Plot Points and Events

• On September 4, 2023, the Eight Min Grand Stakes—the first G1 race of the second half of the year in Min Province and East China—is held at Eight Min Central Racecourse.
• Zhang Jun attends as the owner of Cloudstream Flying Shadow, who is making her debut on the central G1 stage. The race marks a major milestone for both horse and owner.
• Zhang reunites with Luo Fei, Luo Yong, and Luo Heng in the owners’ stand. He admits to feeling nervous but expresses confidence that Cloudstream Flying Shadow can win and achieve five consecutive Graded Stakes victories.
• Cloudstream Flying Shadow’s recent improvement is revealed: her speed has risen to C, strength and competitive grit to B+, burst to A, and mental strength remains A. These improvements place her among the serious contenders, despite the presence of stronger rivals.
• Zhang meets Song Zhengxiong, a highly respected owner whose stable, Hero Legion, has produced more than a dozen G1 horses. Song praises Zhang’s talent for discovering promising horses in the secondhand market and encourages him to become a new force in Min Province racing.
• The competing horses are introduced in the parade ring. Major contenders include:
  • Capital Snowfall, the second favorite, a front-running five-year-old with two G1 victories.
  • Hero Vajra, Song Zhengxiong’s horse and the race favorite, possessing B-ranked speed and B+ burst.
  • Cloudstream Flying Shadow, the third favorite, seeking her fifth consecutive Graded Stakes win and third straight central victory.
• Cloudstream Flying Shadow enters the parade ring and briefly looks toward Zhang, creating a quiet moment of connection between horse and owner.
• Despite strong public support, she ranks only seventh in the experts’ warm-up predictions, suggesting that the coming race will be a difficult challenge.

Character Developments

• Zhang Jun grows into the role of a major racehorse owner. Although nervous about his first G1, he demonstrates informed confidence based on Cloudstream Flying Shadow’s improved abilities rather than blind optimism.
• Cloudstream Flying Shadow is shown to have matured into her prime. Her upgraded attributes establish her as a genuine G1-level competitor capable of challenging stronger horses.
• Luo Fei acts as a supportive mentor, reassuring Zhang and sharing a personal story about his own nervousness during his first G1.
• Song Zhengxiong recognizes Zhang’s ability and potential, offering encouragement and an informal relationship by inviting Zhang to call him “Uncle Song.”
• Luo Yong demonstrates his understanding of the racing industry by advising Zhang to cultivate a relationship with Song, emphasizing the importance of connections in professional racing.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and advancement: Cloudstream Flying Shadow’s move from local racing to the central G1 stage represents a major step upward for both horse and owner.
• Confidence versus uncertainty: Zhang believes in his horse’s ability, but the expert rankings and powerful opposition make victory far from guaranteed.
• Underdog potential: Cloudstream Flying Shadow’s success story and lower expert ranking position her as a popular outsider capable of upsetting the favorites.
• Mentorship and networking: Established figures such as Luo Fei and Song Zhengxiong help guide Zhang as he enters the higher levels of the racing world.
• Human-horse partnership: Cloudstream Flying Shadow’s glance toward Zhang highlights their growing bond and mutual trust.

Character Interactions

• Zhang warmly greets Luo Fei, Luo Yong, and Luo Heng, who gather to support him before the race.
• Luo Fei encourages Zhang and normalizes his anxiety by recalling his own first G1 experience.
• Luo Heng asks whether Cloudstream Flying Shadow can continue her winning streak, prompting Zhang’s firm declaration that she can win.
• Song Zhengxiong praises Zhang’s record of finding overlooked horses and offers him personal encouragement.
• Luo Yong advises Zhang to maintain a good relationship with Song because of Song’s extensive influence among owners, trainers, and jockeys.
• Zhang and Cloudstream Flying Shadow share a brief but meaningful moment when she looks toward him from the parade-ring entrance.

Chapter Summary: G1’s First Victory, Part 1

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shan Yao emerges from the jockeys’ room nervous but determined and prepares to ride Cloudstream Flying Shadow. Lin Zhi gives her final instructions before the race.
• The sixty-third Eight Min Grand Stakes, a 2,000-meter G1 turf race, begins with all eighteen horses making a clean break.
• Cloudstream Flying Shadow settles into thirteenth place in the stalking group, while the favorite, Hero Vajra, and second favorite, Capital Snowfall, are both boxed in by surrounding horses.
• Lin Zhi and Zhang Jun realize that keeping the two favorites trapped could significantly improve Cloudstream Flying Shadow’s chances.
• Hero Vajra’s jockey, Wu Feng, remains patient and composed despite being confined along the rail, waiting for an opening later in the race.
• Capital Snowfall’s jockey, Wu Shan, becomes increasingly anxious. He repeatedly attempts to escape the pack but is blocked each time, drawing criticism from a Capital Club representative.
• The trainer, Dian Shanhong, apologizes for Wu Shan’s inexperience and privately realizes that Wu Shan may lose future opportunities to ride the club’s leading horses.
• The race leader, Nature, gradually increases the pace and stretches the field. At the 1,000-meter mark, the time is 62.5 seconds, suggesting the race will likely be decided by the horses’ finishing speed.
• As the horses enter the third bend, the forward and stalking groups accelerate and begin to merge. Huanxisha, initially last, launches a late move and catches up with the main pack.
• Capital Snowfall remains trapped when another horse fills the gap Wu Shan hoped to use.
• Cloudstream Flying Shadow moves outward as the field approaches the final straight. Hero Vajra is still pinned to the rail, while Wu Feng resigns himself to waiting for an opening.

Character Developments

• Shan Yao displays a mixture of anxiety and determination, showing her readiness to handle the pressure of her first major opportunity.
• Lin Zhi acts as a supportive mentor, offering Shan Yao guidance and closely analyzing the race from the stands.
• Zhang Jun is emotionally invested in Cloudstream Flying Shadow’s performance, nervously praying for the horse’s success.
• Wu Feng demonstrates patience, experience, and tactical discipline by refusing to panic while Hero Vajra is boxed in.
• Wu Shan is exposed as inexperienced under G1 pressure. His frantic attempts to escape his position weaken the Capital Club’s confidence in him.
• Dian Shanhong protects Wu Shan publicly but recognizes the serious consequences of his poor performance.
• Cloudstream Flying Shadow remains well positioned in the stalking group, while Huanxisha shows unexpected strength by advancing from the rear.

Significant Themes

• Pressure and inexperience: The race reveals the difference between a seasoned jockey’s patience and a younger rider’s panic.
• Strategy versus impulse: Positioning, timing, and conserving energy are more important than making premature moves.
• High-stakes competition: Every opening and blocked path affects not only the race but also the jockeys’ future careers.
• Hope amid uncertainty: Cloudstream Flying Shadow’s position improves as the favorites remain trapped, giving Shan Yao and her supporters increasing confidence.
• Team support and mentorship: Shan Yao’s preparation reflects the importance of trust and guidance before a decisive challenge.

Character Interactions

• Lin Zhi helps Shan Yao mount and gives her last-minute instructions, reinforcing their mentor-student relationship.
• Lin Zhi and Zhang Jun share the tension of watching the race and recognize the tactical advantage created by the favorites’ poor positions.
• Wu Shan’s struggles provoke open criticism from the Capital Club representative, while Dian Shanhong attempts to defend him.
• Wu Feng and his horse remain blocked by Thirteen Trials, forcing Wu Feng to abandon immediate action and wait for the final straight.
• The chapter ends with the field converging toward the final stretch, leaving the outcome unresolved and setting up the decisive phase of the race.

Chapter Summary: “G1 First Victory, Part Two”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Entering the fourth turn of the Eight Min Grand Stakes, Nature still leads, while Between the White Clouds and Jianzhou Flying General chase closely. Capital Snowfall remains boxed in, and Hero Vajra is also trapped within the pack.
• Cloudstream Flying Shadow begins her planned acceleration on the outside, following Lin Zhi’s strategy of avoiding entrapment and remaining unnoticed while the other jockeys focus on the favorites.
• Shan Yao steadily urges Cloudstream Flying Shadow forward. The mare advances rapidly from eleventh place to sixth before entering the final straight.
• At the start of the 505-meter straight, Shan Yao uses her whip and Cloudstream Flying Shadow unleashes a powerful burst of speed. She overtakes Jianzhou Flying General and Between the White Clouds, moving into second place.
• Nature begins to tire, while Capital Snowfall finally escapes from the pack and accelerates along the inside.
• Cloudstream Flying Shadow catches and passes Nature, taking the lead with two hundred meters remaining. Capital Snowfall cannot match her pace.
• Hero Vajra finally breaks free from the pack. Having conserved stamina while boxed in, the chestnut stallion rapidly closes the gap.
• Cloudstream Flying Shadow begins to slow after her early acceleration, while Hero Vajra passes Capital Snowfall and comes within one and a half lengths of the leader.
• The chapter ends with fifty meters remaining and the outcome still uncertain: Cloudstream Flying Shadow struggles to defend the lead as Hero Vajra charges toward her.

Character Developments

• Shan Yao demonstrates discipline and trust in Lin Zhi’s strategy. As the race intensifies, she becomes increasingly aggressive and determined, using precise rein work and repeated whip signals to draw out Cloudstream Flying Shadow’s remaining strength.
• Cloudstream Flying Shadow proves that her long-sustained speed and finishing ability can compete with elite G1 horses. She moves from an inconspicuous position to the lead but begins to show the physical cost of accelerating so early.
• Lin Zhi is shown as a tactically brilliant strategist. His prediction that the other jockeys would focus on Hero Vajra and Capital Snowfall unfolds exactly as planned, though Hero Vajra’s late charge threatens to overturn it.
• Zhang Jun watches anxiously from the grandstand, emotionally invested in Cloudstream Flying Shadow’s success and increasingly tense as Hero Vajra closes in.
• Wu Shan, riding Capital Snowfall, pushes his horse desperately after escaping the pack, but earlier positioning mistakes leave the horse without enough stamina for another decisive acceleration.
• Wu Feng, aboard Hero Vajra, capitalizes on the opening in the pack and reveals the danger of a well-rested favorite making a late run.

Significant Themes

• Strategy versus raw power: Lin Zhi’s careful plan gives Cloudstream Flying Shadow a major advantage, but Hero Vajra’s preserved stamina and superior late speed challenge that strategy.
• Underdog ambition: Cloudstream Flying Shadow, once considered a regional “Cinderella,” proves she belongs among established G1 competitors.
• Trust and partnership: Shan Yao and Cloudstream Flying Shadow work as a unified team, relying on rhythm, timing, and mutual responsiveness.
• Endurance and sacrifice: Cloudstream Flying Shadow’s early effort allows her to seize the lead but leaves her vulnerable in the final meters.
• Suspense and uncertainty: The race remains undecided until the very end, emphasizing how quickly positions and fortunes can change.

Character Interactions

• Lin Zhi and Shan Yao: Lin Zhi provides the race strategy, and Shan Yao executes it with precision, showing strong trust between trainer and jockey.
• Shan Yao and Cloudstream Flying Shadow: Shan Yao communicates through reins, body movement, and the whip, while the mare responds by repeatedly increasing her speed despite exhaustion.
• Cloudstream Flying Shadow and Hero Vajra: Their pursuit becomes the central confrontation of the chapter, with the underdog leading and the favorite making a powerful final challenge.
• Capital Snowfall and Hero Vajra: Both favorites are initially obstructed by the pack, but Capital Snowfall escapes first while Hero Vajra waits longer and ultimately benefits from greater reserves.
• Zhang Jun and the race: Zhang’s anxious reactions reflect the spectators’ emotional investment in Cloudstream Flying Shadow’s potential victory.

Chapter Summary: “Lin Zhi and Shan Yao’s Excitement”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Cloudstream Flying Shadow narrowly defeats Hero Vajra in the 63rd Eight Min Grand Stakes, winning by half a length after Shan Yao urges her forward and trusts her ability to maintain speed.
• The victory gives Cloudstream Flying Shadow her first G1 title and marks Zhang Jun’s first G1 win as an owner.
• The crowd and Zhang Jun’s companions celebrate emotionally. Zhang Jun is overcome with tears, while Lin Zhi and Shan Yao openly express their joy.
• After the race, Wu Feng, Wu Shan, and Zhou Lin congratulate Shan Yao.
• During the post-race interview, trainer Lin Zhi explains that he spent twenty-four years trying to win a G1 race. Once considered incapable of winning at that level, he credits Cloudstream Flying Shadow and Zhang Jun’s trust with restoring his belief in his dream.
• Shan Yao reveals that she was inspired by Zhou Lin as a young girl and dreamed of becoming a G1-winning jockey. She explains that limited opportunities and physical disadvantages made her career difficult, but Zhang Jun’s confidence in her and his willingness to assign her talented horses allowed her to prove herself.
• The group holds a celebratory dinner, opening one of Zhang Jun’s late father Zhang An’s final bottles of osmanthus wine in honor of the victory.

2. Character Developments

• Cloudstream Flying Shadow proves her exceptional ability and resilience, converting Zhang Jun and Lin Zhi’s faith in her into a prestigious G1 victory.
• Shan Yao reaches a major career milestone with her first G1 win and becomes Huaxia’s twentieth female jockey to achieve the feat. Her victory validates her persistence and skill despite limited opportunities.
• Lin Zhi finally breaks the “curse” of never winning a Grade One race. His long-standing frustration gives way to renewed hope and confidence in pursuing his dreams.
• Zhang Jun is established as a supportive owner whose trust in horses and people has helped transform the careers of both Lin Zhi and Shan Yao.
• Zheng Xing’s emotional reaction reflects his deep loyalty to Lin Zhi, whom he has followed since his stablehand days.

3. Significant Themes

• Perseverance and the fulfillment of dreams: Lin Zhi’s twenty-four-year struggle and Shan Yao’s difficult career demonstrate that success can come after prolonged failure.
• Trust between partners: Shan Yao’s trust in Cloudstream Flying Shadow, and the horse’s response on the track, are central to the victory.
• Recognition and opportunity: Zhang Jun’s willingness to entrust strong horses to Shan Yao gives her opportunities that the racing world had previously denied her.
• Breaking stereotypes and limitations: Shan Yao’s victory challenges the disadvantages faced by female jockeys, while Lin Zhi overcomes the reputation that he could not win a G1 race.
• Shared success and gratitude: The triumph belongs not only to the horse and jockey but also to the trainer, owner, stable staff, and supporters who worked together.

4. Character Interactions

• Shan Yao and Cloudstream Flying Shadow demonstrate mutual trust during the decisive final stretch.
• Zhang Jun, Lin Zhi, and Shan Yao share an emotional bond, each publicly acknowledging the others’ role in their success.
• Lin Zhi bows to Zhang Jun in gratitude, while Shan Yao also thanks him for entrusting her with outstanding horses.
• Wu Feng, Wu Shan, and Zhou Lin congratulate Shan Yao after the race, with Zhou Lin’s presence especially meaningful because she inspired Shan Yao’s original dream.
• At the celebration, Zheng Xing comforts Lin Zhi, showing their longstanding mentor-student relationship, while the wider group celebrates Cloudstream Flying Shadow’s achievement together.