After finishing his afternoon training, Koichi had dinner with Ayano Aoe that evening.
Naturally, their dinner conversation revolved around this year's races and their opinions of some of the stronger racehorses.
"Have you sorted things out with the overseas stable?"
"There's no problem on that end now. All that's left is to see whether the Authorities approve. If they don't, there's no way I can go abroad."
As they talked, the conversation turned to their summer plans.
"It looks like you'll be heading to Europe before Golden Masterpiece. Going early to get used to things will be good for you."
Ayano Aoe was also quite supportive of the idea of going abroad over the summer break.
If not for what had happened in the first half of the year, they definitely could have taken Koichi Sasaki along to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Unfortunately, plans were only plans in the end.
Once the myth of their unbeaten streak had been shattered, the pressure on them had become immense.
This Takarazuka Kinen was already the limit of what many people would accept. Most racing fans certainly considered the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe more important.
"Mostly, racing abroad will give me a chance to travel around too. I might get busier with every passing year."
Koichi felt he could already start thinking about his travel plans.
There were several European countries he wanted to visit, and this was the perfect opportunity.
Although he was going there to learn, he probably wouldn't get many rides. After all, he would be in unfamiliar territory, and he couldn't compete with Europe's top jockeys.
"Being busy is a good thing too. Plenty of jockeys struggle to find work."
Ayano Aoe felt Koichi was in a very good frame of mind now.
They had also