Tokyo.
"The venue seems quite a bit better this year than last year."
"Of course. They made plenty of money last year, so they must have renovated it again for this year."
Megumi Mitsumori and Koichi walked up side by side.
This year's event was naturally quite lavish, and everyone more or less knew which horses had been nominated.
"Sasaki."
"Jockey Sasaki."
Even more people greeted Koichi in the hall.
Koichi Sasaki's standing was rising steadily, and building a friendly relationship with a jockey like him was a very good prospect for them.
Although jockeys like him mostly rode horses owned by racing clubs, the right connections might persuade him to ride their own horses too.
Youth was an asset in itself.
"Sasaki, how many awards do you think you'll win this year?"
Ryuji Wada asked with a smile.
Koichi Sasaki was clearly stronger this year than last year. Although Golden Masterpiece had retired, the horses available for him to ride were still very strong.
"I don't think there'll be many. My weaknesses are still too obvious."
Koichi picked up a drink as he answered.
"Those are all minor issues. Once you get more experience, things will gradually improve."
Kenichi Ikezoe did not think they were much of a problem.
They had all witnessed how quickly Koichi Sasaki had grown.
He had already made considerable progress in dirt racing.
The ranch backing Koichi Sasaki had also produced very strong horses over the past few years, which helped ensure his results.
"Yutaka, still playing with your flip phone?"
"I still can't get used to smartphones."
Yutaka Take gave a small smile and answered casually.
At his age, he was already accustomed to the things he had used before.
Jockeys naturally had their own circle, and Koichi was also a member of