Taking Ship Out

"Ship, let's go. I'm taking you out to see a bit of the world."

Their farm didn't have a farrier.

So Koichi could take this opportunity to bring Ship over and see how the other horses were doing.

Neigh-

Gold Ship looked left and right, then ran toward the farm gates.

After all the training lately, he had become less resistant to Koichi's commands.

Of course, the main reason was that he got something tasty from Koichi every time.

Carrots were his favorite.

"Stay safe on the way!"

Megumi Mitsumori called out from behind them.

Ship still wasn't very obedient, but he always behaved much better whenever Koichi took over.

Was Sasaki the Gold Ship Family's nemesis?

Judging by his current training results, Gold Ship would be ready to take the Ability Test before long.

That would also determine whether he could enter JRA races.

"Don't worry!"

Koichi waved.

It wasn't far from his home, and the road was dirt all the way, so it wouldn't hurt Ship's feet.

"Just walk properly. Stop looking all over the place."

Watching Ship toss his head around, Koichi couldn't help commenting.

Ship was genuinely curious about everything outside. Ever since they left, his head hadn't stayed still for a moment.

It swayed left and right.

His tongue wouldn't stay put either.

True to his reputation as the king of expressions among racehorses, Ship had shown a talent for it from an early age.

"Koichi, over here!"

Ayumu Kusakawa had been waiting there since early that morning.

He had done plenty of bragging around the farm lately.

After all, Koichi had shot to fame by becoming the first jockey to debut in a Grade 3 race and win it.

That final stretch had made his heart pound.

"Uncle, we're here. Oh, did you get the present I sent you?"

Koichi hopped down from Gold Ship's back.

He had sent his uncle's gift directly by courier.

"I did. Honestly, kid, why go out of your way to send me a present?"

Ayumu Kusakawa smiled and patted Koichi on the shoulder.

The boy had really made him proud!

Because of this, plenty of people at the farm had become much more polite to him. After all, however you looked at it, both of them now enjoyed the favor of the farm owner's daughter.

"It was my first trip to Kyoto, so I bought a few local specialties."

"So this is Gold Ship? He really does look sturdy."

His size made him look like an entirely different model from Golden Masterpiece.

The Gold Ship Family horses weren't particularly big, yet here was this absolute giant.

"Yeah, we've already decided to enter a two-year-old Newcomer Race in the second half of this year."

Koichi turned his head and smiled.

He had plenty of confidence in Gold Ship.

Compared with the racing industries in other countries, Japan offered quite generous racing subsidies.

So even if a horse failed to get results, its owners could still receive money for feed from the racecourse.

That subsidy was enough to keep them looking forward to a win in the next race.

"Let's go. I've already booked the farrier for you."

Without any further hesitation, Ayumu Kusakawa led the man and horse inside.

They could talk about anything else along the way.

Horseshoes were consumables too, needing replacement about once a month.

"All right, let's head straight over."

Koichi followed, leading Gold Ship.

This time, he could clearly tell that even the security guards looked at him differently.

So this was one of the perks of being famous?

Neigh-

After arriving somewhere unfamiliar, Gold Ship grew excited too.

"Don't fidget. It'll be your turn soon."

Koichi immediately gave him a pat and used Calming.

Now wasn't the time to fool around.

Meanwhile, Ayumu Kusakawa stood off to the side.

His many years of experience had taught him to keep his distance from Gold Ship Family horses. They could suddenly act up for no reason at all.

Dream Journey had certainly left a deep impression on him.

"You're Mr. Sasaki, right? Come with me."

Before long, a farrier came over.

He was well practiced at shoeing racehorses. After all, so many horses at the farm needed their shoes replaced.

"All right. Ship, you'd better behave in there."

Koichi reminded him once again.

Although nailing on horseshoes looked painful, racehorses actually didn't feel anything.

Neigh-

Once they reached the designated spot, Gold Ship was fairly cooperative.

He was in quite a good mood today.

"What a good boy."

Seeing the big gray horse settle down, the farrier breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, neither of the two Gold Ship Family horses at the farm was easy to deal with.

If this one suddenly kicked him, he really would be spending weeks in the hospital.

One kick could send him straight to the grave.

"Mm, this size should be about right."

The farrier first removed Gold Ship's old shoe, then fitted a new one.

Finally, he brushed a layer of Hoof Sealant onto the hoof.

Done!

"What do you think?"

The farrier gave a proud smile.

As an experienced craftsman, he had considerable confidence in his work.

"Thanks."

Once it was finished, Koichi led Gold Ship around inside a few times.

With the new shoes on, even the clopping sounded much crisper.

"No problem. We're all on the same team here anyway. Off you go. The next horse should be here soon."

Just as the farrier finished speaking, the three of them heard a neigh from outside.

Neigh-!

Waiting in the aisle, One-Way Passage suddenly felt his Gray Coat radar go off.

There's a Gray Coat!

As a devoted admirer of gray horses, One-Way Passage immediately grew excited.

Neigh-!

Gray Coat!

Where's Gray Coat?

"One-Way Passage, settle down! Come on, settle down!"

The groom beside him hurriedly tightened his hold on the reins.

He couldn't understand why One-Way Passage had suddenly started going wild.

Was there something in the shoeing area?

"Uncle, hold him for me. I'll go out and have a look."

"Be careful, then."

Ayumu Kusakawa hurried over and took the reins.

Neigh-

Seeing Koichi head over, Gold Ship curiously tried to follow.

"Ship, don't come over here, or you won't get any carrots."

Koichi turned back and gave a low shout.

Racehorses had volatile tempers, especially when they encountered another horse of the same sex.

If they suddenly started fighting, it would turn into a serious accident.

"Hey, buddy, come help!"

The groom clinging desperately to the reins looked as though he had suddenly spotted his savior.

If anything happened to One-Way Passage, he would bear responsibility too.

If something truly serious went wrong, his career would be over.

"One-Way Passage?"

Koichi froze for a moment as he stepped outside.

Although he knew One-Way Passage was also at this farm, he really hadn't expected to meet him now.

This was one of Ship's few close buddies.

(End of chapter)