Recaps

Koichi Sasaki began the new racing season with awards, stable plans, and a decisive Yayoi Sho victory aboard Epiphaneia. As Gold Ship prepared for the Hanshin Daishoten, Koichi watched him leave for the track while Epiphaneia continued training for the Satsuki Sho.

• Koichi attended the year-end awards, where Golden Masterpiece was named Horse of the Year and Koichi received several jockey honors.
• Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori planned the season, including Epiphaneia’s run in the Yayoi Sho and Gold Ship’s route to the Spring Tenno Sho and Takarazuka Kinen.
• Koichi opened the year with wins aboard Takezono Power and other mounts, while Gold Ship’s tantrum during a workout left Koichi shaken but unhurt.
• Koichi rode Epiphaneia to an emphatic Yayoi Sho victory, securing the horse’s place in the Satsuki Sho and earning his trust.
• Koichi and Megumi discussed Gold Ship’s schedule and Man o' War’s progress, while Koichi proposed investing in a game featuring racehorses as anime-style characters.
• Gold Ship impressed trainers in his workout for the Hanshin Daishoten, though Koichi admitted he still had a bad feeling.
• Gold Ship left for Hanshin Racecourse, while Koichi and Megumi visited Epiphaneia and planned his training before the Satsuki Sho.

Koichi won the Hanshin Daishoten aboard Gold Ship, then traveled to Dubai and guided Gentildonna to victory in the Dubai Classic. Back in Japan, he prepared Epiphaneia for the Satsuki Sho as his team anticipated a showdown with Flagship.

• Gold Ship overcame a refusal to enter the stalls, came from behind, and won the Hanshin Daishoten under Koichi Sasaki.
• Koichi traveled to Dubai, reunited with Gentildonna, and prepared her for the Dubai Classic while identifying Sanctuary as their main rival.
• Koichi guided Gentildonna past Sanctuary to win the Dubai Classic by a nose, then celebrated with her team.
• Koichi returned to Japan and checked on Gold Ship, Man o' War, and Epiphaneia as he resumed racing and training.
• Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori discussed Gold Ship's prospects over the Tenno Sho distance and Man o' War's development as a middle-distance horse.
• Epiphaneia impressed Koichi in his final gallop, and Koichi proposed a new tactic for the Satsuki Sho against Flagship.
• Ayano Aoe and Christophe Lemaire prepared Flagship to pressure Epiphaneia, while Koichi kept his own tactics private.
• Koichi won two races on Saturday, and Megumi watched Epiphaneia at the course as they awaited the Satsuki Sho.

Koichi Sasaki guided Epiphaneia to victories in the Satsuki Sho and the Derby while balancing Gold Ship’s erratic form and his own demanding schedule. After collapsing from low blood sugar following the Derby, Koichi recovered and returned to work as Epiphaneia rested at Hokkai Ranch.

• Koichi and Epiphaneia won the Satsuki Sho with a controlled front-running strategy, then planned their rest and Derby preparations.
• Koichi rode Gold Ship in the Spring Tenno Sho, where Gold Ship failed to accelerate and finished fourth behind Extraordinary Steed.
• Koichi continued racing through the NHK Mile Cup and Oaks, then prepared Epiphaneia for the Derby as rivals drew around him and Koichi developed cold symptoms.
• Koichi broke Epiphaneia out of the pack during the Derby and drove him past Gentildonna by a nose, but collapsed after the race and was treated for low blood sugar and a slight cold.
• Koichi recovered at home while Epiphaneia was sent to Hokkai Ranch, and Koichi returned to the Training Center after resting.
• Koichi reunited with Epiphaneia at the ranch, discussed its plans with Haruki Kuchiki, and visited Ayano Aoe’s ranch to assess Black North and other horses.

Koichi guided Gold Ship to a dominant Takarazuka Kinen victory, then prepared Epiphaneia and One-Way Passage for their next races. The stretch ended with Zarkava defeating Gentildonna in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as Koichi headed back to racing.

• Koichi visited Golden Masterpiece with Ayano Aoe, discussed the horse’s future and Gentildonna’s Arc prospects, then returned to Tokyo and resumed training Gold Ship.
• Koichi earned his two hundredth victory, and Gold Ship completed strong workouts before Koichi prepared for the Takarazuka Kinen.
• Gold Ship beat Gentildonna decisively in the Takarazuka Kinen, and Koichi celebrated the win with Megumi Mitsumori and their group.
• Koichi won a Newcomer Race aboard Man o' War, continued developing the horses at Hokkai Ranch, and arranged upcoming rides on Duramente and One-Way Passage.
• Koichi trained with Gentildonna and prepared Epiphaneia for the Kikuka Sho, while Epiphaneia won the Kobe Shimbun Hai by at least three lengths.
• Koichi rode One-Way Passage in a workout alongside Gold Ship as both horses prepared for their upcoming races.
• Koichi watched Gentildonna race in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, where Zarkava overtook her to win and Gentildonna finished third.