Chapter Summaries

Koichi Sasaki guided Golden Masterpiece through the opening lap of the Kikuka Sho, keeping the horse in the middle of the pack to conserve stamina over the 3,000-meter race. Golden Masterpiece remained boxed in as the crowd cheered, with the race still underway.

• Golden Masterpiece broke well from the gate and Koichi Sasaki moved him toward the inside rather than pressing the lead.
• Triumph Ballet and Katsumi Ando settled at the rear, while Shonan Mighty was forced wide after interference from number seventeen.
• Koichi slowed Golden Masterpiece behind a wall of horses, choosing to conserve stamina instead of trying to pass.
• Shonan Mighty and other runners boxed Golden Masterpiece into the middle of the pack, with Swiss Watch and Yasuo Iwata keeping watch beside him.
• Golden Masterpiece briefly turned his head toward Swiss Watch, startling Yasuo Iwata, as the field completed the first lap beneath the cheering spectators.

Golden Masterpiece and Koichi Sasaki broke through the pack on the final turn and led the charge into the home straight, with Triumph Ballet and Sun God Steed pursuing them. With only two hundred meters left in the race for the Triple Crown, Triumph Ballet was rapidly closing the gap.

• Masayoshi Ubaname and Katsumi Ando accelerated past Yutaka Take and targeted Golden Masterpiece as the horses climbed the hill.
• Koichi Sasaki urged Golden Masterpiece forward on the descent, and the horse found an opening on the final turn.
• Golden Masterpiece surged into the lead as the field spread out and Triumph Ballet and Sun God Steed began chasing from behind.
• Koichi Sasaki used his whip to urge Golden Masterpiece through the final stretch while Katsumi Ando and Masayoshi Ubaname pushed their horses to catch up.
• The spectators cheered Golden Masterpiece as Triumph Ballet rapidly narrowed the gap with two hundred meters remaining.

Koichi Sasaki and Golden Masterpiece won the Kikuka Sho, making Golden Masterpiece the seventh Triple Crown Winner. After the race, Golden Masterpiece threw Koichi off, and the pair received congratulations before separating for interviews and post-race care.

• Golden Masterpiece held off the pursuing horses and won the Kikuka Sho, securing the Triple Crown under Koichi Sasaki.
• Golden Masterpiece tossed Koichi off after slowing down, and Koichi happily praised the exhausted horse.
• Ryuji Wada congratulated Koichi and escorted him toward the exit as the crowd chanted his name.
• Yutaka Take congratulated Koichi and said he still hoped to challenge Golden Masterpiece in the Autumn Tenno Sho.
• Hitachi Yosuke took Golden Masterpiece for testing and recovery, while Koichi headed off for an interview.

Koichi Sasaki celebrated winning the Triple Crown with Golden Masterpiece, becoming the youngest jockey to achieve the feat. After discussing the race and posing for photos, he waited with Fujitani Kotomi while Ayano Aoe finished her business.

• Koichi answered the host’s questions about his race strategy and credited Golden Masterpiece’s ability and finishing kick for their victory.
• Koichi thanked Golden Masterpiece and his supporters, then headed to the photo area after the interview.
• Hitachi Yosuke and Ayano Aoe gathered with Koichi and Golden Masterpiece for celebratory photos.
• Hitachi Yosuke took Golden Masterpiece back to rest at Aoe Ranch, while Ayano asked Koichi to wait for her.
• Fujitani Kotomi gave Koichi water, and he said he would change out of his racing silks.

After Golden Masterpiece won the Kikuka Sho and secured the Triple Crown, Koichi celebrated with Ayano Aoe and Fujitani Kotomi at Kyoto Tower. They discussed his trip to Tokyo for the Autumn Tenno Sho, Golden Masterpiece’s stamina and future races, and Ayano prepared to present Koichi with something.

• Fujitani Kotomi told Koichi that Ayano had booked a Kyoto Tower restaurant for the celebration, and Koichi planned to fly directly to Tokyo for the Autumn Tenno Sho.
• Ayano joined Koichi and Kotomi, praised his partnership with Golden Masterpiece, and hoped they would win the Arima Kinen.
• At dinner, Koichi said Golden Masterpiece had seemed short on stamina near the end of the Kikuka Sho and might need more work before the longer Spring Tenno Sho.
• Koichi told Ayano that his test ride for the Autumn Tenno Sho had gone well, and he joked that he would credit Golden Masterpiece if he won.
• Ayano asked Kotomi to bring over something she had prepared, leaving Koichi curious.

After winning the Kikuka Sho and completing the Triple Crown with Golden Masterpiece, Koichi received custom jockey equipment from Ayano Aoe. He decided to use the new gear for the Autumn Tenno Sho and agreed to travel to Tokyo to ride Japan Jordan.

• Ayano Aoe gave Koichi a custom-made set of jockey equipment engraved with his name to celebrate his Triple Crown victory.
• Koichi thanked Ayano Aoe and decided to keep his old equipment as a memento of the three titles it had helped him win.
• Back at the hotel, Koichi chose to use the new equipment for the Autumn Tenno Sho and planned to mail his old set to Hokkaido.
• Tetsuya Futawatari called Koichi to congratulate him and ask about his schedule for riding Japan Jordan in the Autumn Tenno Sho.
• Koichi told Tetsuya Futawatari he would rest the next day and fly to Tokyo the morning after, agreeing to be picked up at the airport.

Koichi mailed his keepsakes from Kyoto and was recognized by two post office clerks who asked him for autographs. He visited Golden Masterpiece at the stable before leaving for the Autumn Tenno Sho, where he planned to ride Japan Jordan, while Golden Masterpiece rested ahead of the Arima Kinen.

• A post office clerk recognized Koichi as the winning jockey of the Kikuka Sho and asked him to autograph a Derby photo.
• Another clerk joined in asking Koichi for an autograph, and Koichi hurried away after mailing his parcels.
• Koichi visited Hitachi Yosuke and Golden Masterpiece at the stable before his departure the next day.
• Hitachi Yosuke told Koichi that Golden Masterpiece had been acting mischievously and had little energy after the Kikuka Sho.
• Koichi planned to give his best in the Autumn Tenno Sho aboard Japan Jordan while Golden Masterpiece recovered.

Koichi Sasaki traveled to Tokyo to prepare for the Autumn Tenno Sho, where he would ride Japan Jordan for Tetsuya Futawatari. After agreeing to consider the Japan Cup as well, Koichi adjusted his schedule to trial-ride Japan Jordan and pursue victory.

• Tetsuya Futawatari told Koichi Sasaki that Japan Jordan faced tough competition in the Autumn Tenno Sho, including Special Week's daughter, Lovely Scenery.
• Koichi confirmed he had studied Japan Jordan's data and asked about the owner's support; Tetsuya said the owner trusted him.
• Koichi asked Tetsuya to consider him for the Japan Cup so he could race against Dan Shan Meng, and Tetsuya agreed.
• Tetsuya drove Koichi to dinner in Shinjuku and noticed his new equipment, which Koichi said the Young Lady had given him after the Kikuka Sho.
• After returning to his hotel, Koichi rearranged his schedule to shop in the morning and trial-ride Japan Jordan at the training grounds in the afternoon.

Koichi Sasaki tested Japan Jordan’s condition and responsiveness in a two-thousand-meter training run ahead of the Autumn Tenno Sho. The run went smoothly, leaving Tetsuya Futawatari encouraged by their partnership.

• Tetsuya Futawatari praised Koichi Sasaki’s new gear and explained that he had called him in to get used to Japan Jordan before the race.
• Koichi mounted Japan Jordan, and Tetsuya said the team planned to use a closer strategy while leaving room to judge the race as it unfolded.
• Japan Jordan broke cleanly from the starting gate and maintained its pace as Koichi followed its rhythm around the track.
• Koichi used his whip at the three-hundred-meter mark, and Japan Jordan responded quickly and accelerated across the finish line.
• Koichi let Japan Jordan walk to recover before returning it to its stablehand, while Tetsuya noted that its training figures had improved from the previous day.

Koichi prepared for the Autumn Tenno Sho and asked Megumi Mitsumori to buy a broodmare carrying a foal he believed would become a future Hall of Fame racehorse. Megumi agreed to handle the purchase, though she doubted the mare’s breeding prospects.

• Koichi told Tetsuya Futawatari that he felt ready to race and discussed running as a closer or mid-pack runner in the Autumn Tenno Sho.
• Tetsuya warned Koichi that Masayoshi Ubaname would start from gate one, and they discussed the strong field, including Li Muhua riding Eishin Flash.
• Koichi inspected the Tokyo Racecourse turf, returned to his hotel, and sent Megumi Mitsumori details and funds for buying a broodmare carrying an unborn foal.
• Megumi showed Koichi’s instructions to Miku Kuchiki, who was excited that Hokkai Ranch would have a broodmare.
• Megumi prepared to travel to buy the mare but questioned breeding a daughter of Sakura Bakushin O to a full brother of Deep Impact.

Koichi Sasaki used his prize draw to obtain the Windmill Whip skill and prepared for his upcoming race with Japan Jordan. He later met Kenichi Ikezoe and Ryuji Wada for dinner, where they discussed their mounts and the next day's race.

• Koichi spent nine prize draws receiving food before the final draw awarded him the Windmill Whip skill.
• Koichi considered how Windmill Whip could help him in the final stretch and prepared to race Japan Jordan, with whom he had not yet worked.
• On October 29, Koichi treated Kenichi Ikezoe and Ryuji Wada to dinner at a Sichuan restaurant.
• Koichi said he would aim for a top-five finish with Japan Jordan, while Ikezoe and Wada discussed the strengths of their own mounts.
• The three jockeys toasted Koichi's Triple Crown victory and left the race's outcome to the following day.

Koichi Sasaki met the jockeys competing in the Autumn Tenno Sho and spent the morning with trainer Tetsuya Futawatari before his race aboard Japan Jordan. Futawatari encouraged him not to worry about his future prospects, and Koichi prepared to give his best in the afternoon.

• Koichi Sasaki introduced himself to Li Muhua, who praised his past races and acknowledged they would be opponents in the Autumn Tenno Sho.
• Masayoshi Ubaname encouraged Koichi to perform well, while Yutaka Take doubted Koichi would win against strong contenders such as Lovely Scenery and Eishin Flash.
• Tetsuya Futawatari told Koichi that Japan Jordan was resting in the stable before the afternoon race.
• Koichi watched the morning races from reserved seating with Tetsuya Futawatari, who explained the spectators' devotion to their horses.
• Tetsuya Futawatari advised Koichi to take his time building relationships with the Shadai Line and major owners, and Koichi said he could keep riding Golden Masterpiece and Gold Ship if needed.
• Koichi resolved to give his all for Japan Jordan in the Autumn Tenno Sho.

Koichi Sasaki rode Japan Jordan in the Autumn Tenno Sho, hoping to help the horse's owner win a first Grade 1 race. The runners entered the tunnel as the crowd cheered for favorite Lovely Scenery, and the race was about to begin.

• Koichi wore Japan Jordan's owner's racing silks for the Autumn Tenno Sho and learned that Yutaka Take was riding Rose Kingdom.
• Ryuji Wada, Yutaka Take, and Koichi exchanged words before the jockeys headed to the start.
• Koichi told Japan Jordan's stablehand he would do his best, and took the reins as Japan Jordan appeared to be in good form.
• The commentators discussed Lovely Scenery's chances of defending his title and his rivalry with Eishin Flash.
• Japan Jordan followed the other horses through the tunnel as spectators chanted Lovely Scenery's name.

The Autumn Tenno Sho field assembled, with Japan Jordan and Koichi Sasaki drawing attention as they faced a lineup of elite Grade 1 winners. As the horses entered the starting gates, Japan Jordan’s owner and trainer hoped for a strong result that could secure the horse’s place in the Japan Cup.

• Commentators introduced the eighteen runners, including favorite Lovely Scenery, Narita Crystal, and other leading contenders.
• Commentators discussed Japan Jordan’s recent wins and Koichi Sasaki’s prospects in his first Grade 1 race without Golden Masterpiece.
• Koichi Sasaki circled with Japan Jordan while Yutaka Take watched the horses in several key starting gates.
• Owner Shimakawa asked trainer Tetsuya Futawatari about Japan Jordan’s condition and the horse’s chances of entering the Japan Cup.
• The horses began loading into the gates as Shimakawa focused on Japan Jordan and hoped it would win.

Silport set a blistering pace in the 144th Autumn Emperor's Cup, stretching the field into three groups as the horses approached the final turn. Koichi and Japan Jordan waited for an opening and prepared to change position for the sprint to the finish.

• Masayoshi Ubaname sent Silport into an early breakaway from the rail as the gates opened.
• Yuga Kawada, Li Muhua, and Ryuji Wada settled their horses near the front, while Koichi followed Toward Glory in the middle of the pack.
• Silport built a five- or six-length lead as the field split into three groups and the pace reached 56 seconds for the first 1,000 meters.
• Yutaka Take accelerated and pinned Japan Jordan against the rail after the horses passed the 1,000-meter mark.
• As the field reached the final turn, Yutaka Take moved to attack, and Koichi spotted an opening but realized the horses ahead had blocked the inside.

Koichi Sasaki rode Japan Jordan to victory in the Autumn Tenno Sho, using Windmill Whip to hold off Shadow of the Night and Persian. Japan Jordan also set a new track record, and the story left Koichi celebrating the win with the cheering crowd.

• Masayoshi Ubaname failed to break away, and Eishin Flash, Shadow of the Night, and Lovely Scenery caught up as the race entered its final stretch.
• Koichi Sasaki guided Japan Jordan up the outside, while Eishin Flash, Toward Glory, Shadow of the Night, and Persian contested the lead.
• Koichi used Windmill Whip in the final meters, and Japan Jordan held off Shadow of the Night and Persian to win the Autumn Tenno Sho.
• Japan Jordan finished first, Shadow of the Night second, Persian third, and Lovely Scenery fourth.
• Koichi and Ryuji Wada saw that Japan Jordan had set a new track record of one minute fifty-six seconds, beating Vodka's record by 1.2 seconds.

Koichi Sasaki rode Japan Jordan to victory in the Autumn Tenno Sho, setting a new track record and national record. Owner Shimakawa agreed to enter Japan Jordan in the Japan Cup, while Koichi completed his post-race interview.

• Japan Jordan won the Autumn Tenno Sho under Koichi Sasaki, earning Owner Shimakawa his first Grade 1 victory and breaking records.
• Tetsuya Futawatari asked Owner Shimakawa about the Japan Cup, and Shimakawa agreed to enter Japan Jordan with Koichi as jockey.
• Japan Jordan's stablehand thanked Koichi and prepared the horse to meet the owner and trainer after the race.
• Koichi went to the interview and said the race was close, praised the competition, and explained that he had practiced his whip technique.

After Japan Jordan’s Autumn Tenno Sho victory, Koichi Sasaki secured the ride for the Japan Cup and planned a short break before preparing for it. Over dinner, he asked trainer Tetsuya Futawatari about One-Way Passage, while Futawatari reflected on Koichi’s growing reputation and the support behind his career.

• Koichi told the interviewer that Masayoshi Ubaname’s breakaway had impressed him and thanked the fans for their support.
• Tetsuya Futawatari congratulated Koichi on Japan Jordan’s record-breaking win, and owner Shimakawa confirmed Koichi would ride Japan Jordan in the Japan Cup.
• Koichi joined Japan Jordan and the others for photos before going to dinner with Tetsuya Futawatari.
• Koichi said he planned to return home to check on Gold Ship and Epiphaneia before coming back to prepare for Japan Jordan’s next race.
• Koichi praised One-Way Passage, but Tetsuya explained that its owner had entrusted the horse to Yuichi Fukunaga and was unlikely to change jockeys.

Megumi prepared to leave Hokkai Ranch for a few days to buy a broodmare for Koichi, while Miku agreed to look after Gold Ship and Epiphaneia. She told Ayano that the ranch owner was determined to buy a mare whose background she did not know, leaving the purchase and the ranch’s first broodmare in her hands.

• Miku watched Epiphaneia finish training and confirmed she had carefully stored Koichi’s old equipment.
• Megumi told Miku she would travel the next day to negotiate for a broodmare and asked her to care for Gold Ship and Epiphaneia.
• Miku celebrated Koichi’s four Grade 1 victories and agreed to organize a welcome celebration when he returned.
• Megumi packed her things and prepared to take the horse transport truck to bring the mare back to the ranch.
• Ayano asked Megumi about her trip, and Megumi explained that Koichi wanted her to buy a broodmare he had chosen for reasons she did not know.

Megumi Mitsumori visited a ranch in Hokkaido to buy a broodmare for Koichi Sasaki. After negotiating, Koichi approved the purchase, and Megumi agreed to pay seven million yen for the mare and her unborn foal.

• Megumi Mitsumori arrived at the ranch and met with the ranch manager.
• The ranch manager showed Megumi a bay broodmare with a Stay Gold foal at her side and explained that she was carrying a foal by Kuroshio.
• Megumi negotiated with the ranch manager over the price of the broodmare and her unborn foal.
• Megumi called Koichi Sasaki, who approved the seven-million-yen price and took responsibility for the purchase.
• Megumi agreed to pay for the broodmare and foal, while Koichi said he would return in two days.