Chapter Summaries

Koichi returned to Hokkai Ranch, where Megumi Mitsumori told him about buying the broodmare Sweetie and discussed plans for her next foal. The chapter left Koichi intending to ask Ayano Aoe about a Dream Journey breeding and possible discount.

• Koichi returned to Hokkai Ranch and learned that Ship and Divine Might were grazing nearby.
• Megumi Mitsumori returned with Kitasan Black, whom she had bought as a broodmare and named Sweetie.
• Koichi reassured Megumi Mitsumori that Sweetie's foal would be his and agreed that she could choose the stallion for her next breeding.
• Megumi Mitsumori proposed breeding Sweetie to Dream Journey and asking Ayano Aoe for a discount.
• Koichi agreed to speak with Ayano Aoe about a booking, while Megumi Mitsumori would pay the stud fee.

Koichi and Ayano Aoe discussed his ranch’s new broodmare, Gold Ship’s habits, and Koichi’s racing plans. Koichi’s Japan Cup ride was confirmed, and Ayano encouraged him to prepare for the international field and the upcoming Arima Kinen.

• Ayano Aoe watched Gold Ship and Epiphaneia argue, while Koichi explained that the two horses often clashed but never fought.
• Ayano asked Koichi why he had bought a broodmare elsewhere, and he said the mare was still wary and not ready for visitors.
• Ayano fed Gold Ship carrots and asked about his rapidly graying coat and the jockey gear she had given Koichi after his Autumn Tenno Sho win.
• Koichi confirmed that his Japan Cup ride was arranged and that he would soon return to Tokyo.
• Ayano urged Koichi to do his best against the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner and study Glory Flash, Lovely Scenery, and Toward Glory ahead of the Arima Kinen.

Koichi Sasaki discussed Golden Masterpiece’s prospects and Dream Journey’s breeding fee with Ayano Aoe, then took Epiphaneia back to the stable. He planned to secure a breeding slot for Megumi Mitsumori and continued considering how to buy Kitasan Black.

• Koichi told Ayano Aoe that Golden Masterpiece could have won the Autumn Tenno Sho but would likely lose if entered in his current condition.
• Ayano Aoe advised Koichi to visit Nakayama Racecourse early before the Arima Kinen.
• Koichi asked Ayano Aoe to arrange a discounted Dream Journey breeding slot for Megumi Mitsumori, and she told him to contact Kotomi.
• Koichi called Epiphaneia back from the paddock, brushed dust from his rug, and led him toward the stable.
• Gold Ship called out as Koichi and Epiphaneia passed, and Miku Kuchiki restrained Gold Ship while Koichi reassured Epiphaneia.

Miku Kuchiki and Mirai cared for Gold Ship and Sweetie at the ranch, while Koichi checked on the pregnant mare and considered the foal’s future. Koichi left Sweetie in Mirai’s care and planned to return to Tokyo for work and preparations for upcoming races.

• Miku Kuchiki brushed Gold Ship, then took him out to pasture alongside One-Way Passage.
• Mirai hurried to Stable No. 3 after taking Gold Ship out and found Sweetie chewing on the rails.
• Koichi reassured Mirai and had her bring breakfast to Sweetie, whose feed was specially nutritious because she was pregnant.
• Koichi told Miku Kuchiki that racehorses were generally born in March and considered the costs of raising the foal that might become Kitasan Black.
• Koichi left to speak with Mitsumori, while Mirai stayed with Sweetie and gave the mare space to finish her food.

Megumi Mitsumori told Koichi that Sunday Club might be interested in hiring him, while Ayano Aoe learned the Shadai Line was considering offering him resources. The chapter left Koichi unaware of the rumor as he prepared for the Japan Cup, which Ayano planned to attend.

• Megumi Mitsumori told Koichi that Sunday Club executives might want to give him a try, and Koichi said he would wait to hear from them.
• Megumi urged Koichi to perform well in the Japan Cup, and he said he was taking the international race seriously because Japan Jordan was in good form.
• Fujitani Kotomi reported to Ayano Aoe that Sunday Club wanted to win Koichi Sasaki over and offer him resources.
• Ayano decided not to intervene or tell Koichi, saying he could learn about the offer himself and that the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen would be important.
• Fujitani told Ayano that her plane tickets and VIP seats for the Japan Cup had been arranged.

Koichi used his draws to obtain an Experience Book and the Mighty Arm skill before preparing to return to racing for the Japan Cup. He checked on the ranch’s horses and reminded Megumi Mitsumori to watch over Sweetie as her foal’s arrival approached.

• Koichi drew an Experience Book and Mighty Arm, which he planned to use in his upcoming race alongside Windmill Whip.
• Gold Ship and One-Way Passage dug and rolled around in hopes of getting carrots, and Koichi eventually gave them some.
• Koichi visited the training grounds and told Megumi Mitsumori he would return to Tokyo in a few days and stay at Nakayama Racecourse.
• Koichi asked Megumi Mitsumori to keep an eye on Sweetie and her foal, due in four months, while the ranch arranged for a veterinarian to check her.
• Megumi Mitsumori asked whether Miss Aoe had questioned Koichi about the Sunday Club, and Koichi said she had not.

Koichi learned that the Sunday Club was in the final stage of evaluating him, and Tetsuya Futawatari told him the Japan Cup would be another test of his ability. They discussed preparing for the race and its pre-race interview, leaving Koichi ready to give the Japan Cup everything he had.

• Koichi told Tetsuya Futawatari that his ranch had little going on apart from its horses and that he had bought a broodmare while managing a heavy debt.
• Tetsuya Futawatari revealed that the Sunday Club was considering Koichi and that Ayano Aoe had said she would find horses for him to ride next year.
• Koichi said Ayano Aoe had not contacted him about the club, and Tetsuya Futawatari explained that Koichi's Autumn Tenno Sho win had drawn attention to him.
• Tetsuya Futawatari said the Japan Cup would serve as another assessment of Koichi and reminded him to prepare for a pre-race interview.
• Koichi asked for advice, and Tetsuya Futawatari told him to aim for a good result while their commander-in-chief handled the foreign horses.

Koichi Sasaki discussed Japan Jordan’s condition and the foreign challengers ahead of the Japan Cup, then met fellow jockeys and assessed the contenders. The chapter left Koichi and the others considering how to prevent Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe champion Dan Shan Meng from gaining a favorable position.

• Koichi told an interviewer that Japan Jordan had recovered well and named Lovely Scenery and Dan Shan Meng as the toughest opponents in the Japan Cup.
• Koichi watched Dan Shan Meng train and spoke with Kenichi Ikezoe about the foreign jockeys and the crowded field.
• Kenichi told Koichi that he would ride Eishin Flash, while Li Muhua had taken the mount on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up.
• Koichi greeted Katsumi Ando and noted that Triumph Ballet had recovered well for the Japan Cup.
• Koichi, Kenichi, and Katsumi discussed Dan Shan Meng’s weight advantage and agreed that denying her a good position could be key.

Ayano Aoe and Koichi Sasaki watched the morning races at Tokyo Racecourse before Sasaki headed to the jockeys’ waiting room for the Japan Cup. As the riders prepared, Yutaka Take felt confident in his form and race strategy.

• Ayano Aoe met Shimakawa in the VIP lounge, where he told her that an unknown agent had recommended Koichi Sasaki to Sunday Club.
• Ayano Aoe watched the morning races with Koichi Sasaki, who studied Christophe Soumillon and discussed the differences between European and Japanese tracks.
• Ayano Aoe assured Koichi Sasaki that her ranch would offer him rides after the year ended, and he said he needed a capable agent.
• Koichi Sasaki went to the jockeys’ waiting room, greeted Kenichi Ikezoe and Li Muhua, and discussed the strong Japan Cup field with them.
• Christophe Soumillon and Mirco Demuro arrived as the jockeys prepared for the race, and Yutaka Take felt ready with his strategy planned.

Koichi Sasaki prepared to ride Japan Jordan in the Japan Cup, where the Autumn Tenno Sho winner was only sixth favorite among a strong field. As the horses approached the starting gates, the jockeys planned their tactics, while Yutaka Take felt uneasy about Japan Jordan.

• Koichi Sasaki mounted Japan Jordan and joined Kenichi Ikezoe and Eishin Flash on the way to the course.
• Japan Jordan entered the track first, and the commentators introduced the horse and the Japan Cup favorites, including Dan Shan Meng, Lovely Scenery, and Buena Vista.
• The horses circled for their final warm-up as staff inspected the starting gates.
• Koichi Sasaki considered how to handle Japan Jordan's outermost gate, while Kenichi Ikezoe planned his ride from gate fifteen.
• Kenichi Ikezoe considered targeting Dan Shan Meng, and Yutaka Take felt a persistent bad feeling about the race.

Japan Jordan and Koichi Sasaki made an aggressive start in the Japan Cup, moving into second behind the fast-breaking number eleven as the field settled into the first turn. Dan Shan Meng was forced to the back, while Lovely Scenery remained boxed in, leaving the race wide open as the horses continued.

• Japan Jordan burst from the gates, and Koichi Sasaki changed his plan when the horses beside him stopped blocking his path.
• Kenichi Ikezoe cut toward the rail while Dan Shan Meng was boxed in behind Eishin Flash and Triumph Ballet.
• Koichi accelerated Japan Jordan inward and secured second place behind number eleven, which took the lead.
• Dan Shan Meng's jockey abandoned the plan to run mid-pack and settled at the rear as the field approached the first turn.
• Lovely Scenery remained boxed in after adjusting her position, while Katsumi Ando used Triumph Ballet to keep Dan Shan Meng from breaking forward.

Japan Jordan and Lovely Scenery charged through the final stretch after a chaotic race, leaving the winner undecided as they approached the finish.

• Japan Jordan and number eleven Mission Accepted broke away from the field, while Buena Vista fell to the rear.
• Katsumi Ando sent Triumph Ballet forward early, and Dan Shan Meng moved up from the back as the runners reached the turn.
• Lovely Scenery accelerated through the pack, while Japan Jordan took the lead after Triumph Ballet weakened.
• Yasuo Iwata guided Lovely Scenery past the traffic and into position just behind Japan Jordan.
• Japan Jordan and Lovely Scenery surged toward the finish together, setting up a close contest in the final hundred meters.

Koichi Sasaki and Japan Jordan fought Lovely Scenery to the finish and won the Japan Cup by a nose, leaving Koichi one race away from completing the Autumn Triple Crown. The chapter ended with speculation over whether he would ride Japan Jordan or Golden Masterpiece in the Arima Kinen.

• Koichi Sasaki used Windmill Whip and Mighty Arm to help Japan Jordan catch Lovely Scenery in the final stretch.
• Japan Jordan and Lovely Scenery crossed the finish line neck and neck, leaving the riders and spectators waiting for the replay.
• The slow-motion replay confirmed that Japan Jordan had beaten Lovely Scenery by a nose to win the Japan Cup.
• Koichi thanked Japan Jordan, celebrated his fourth Tokyo Racecourse Grade 1 victory, and learned that only one race remained for the Autumn Triple Crown.
• The commentators discussed Koichi's uncertain Arima Kinen choice between Japan Jordan and Golden Masterpiece.

Koichi Sasaki rode Japan Jordan to a razor-thin Japan Cup victory over Lovely Scenery, while Dan Shan Meng and Triumph Ballet also competed. Afterward, Shimakawa asked Ayano Aoe to let Sasaki ride Japan Jordan in the Arima Kinen, but she refused to give up Sasaki because Golden Masterpiece also needed him for the race.

• Japan Jordan won the Japan Cup by a nose after Lovely Scenery challenged Koichi Sasaki in the final stretch.
• Koichi praised Dan Shan Meng's ability in the interview and credited Kenichi Ikezoe and Katsumi Ando's tactics with helping him find an opening.
• Koichi said Katsumi Ando had accelerated Triumph Ballet too early and cut in front of him during the turn.
• Shimakawa asked Ayano Aoe to let Koichi ride Japan Jordan in the Arima Kinen so the horse could pursue the Autumn Triple Crown.
• Ayano refused to give up Koichi, explaining that Golden Masterpiece needed him for its own Arima Kinen campaign.

After winning the Japan Cup, Koichi Sasaki weighed Shimakawa’s proposal to ride Japan Jordan in the Arima Kinen against his loyalty to Golden Masterpiece. Outside the lounge, Saki Ikegami offered to become his agent and help secure hundreds of rides, and Koichi agreed to exchange contact details before hurrying to answer the Assistant.

• Shimakawa urged Koichi to consider riding Japan Jordan in the Arima Kinen and mentioned his connections to the Sunday Club and Shadai Line.
• Tetsuya Futawatari advised Koichi to discuss the choice with the Young Lady and believed Koichi had already decided in favor of Golden Masterpiece.
• Saki Ikegami introduced herself to Koichi and said she had recommended him to the Sunday Club.
• Saki offered to arrange a few hundred rides in Koichi’s second year and serve as his Rider Assistant.
• Koichi agreed to exchange contact details with Saki, then hurried off to meet the Assistant.

Koichi decided to sign with the agent who had approached him, while Ayano Aoe arranged for Fujitani Kotomi to review the contract. He prepared to travel to Nakayama for the Arima Kinen, where he planned to ride Golden Masterpiece and bring the classic season to a strong finish.

• Koichi told Ayano Aoe about meeting an agent, and she supported signing if the agent could secure Sunday Club resources.
• Ayano Aoe asked Fujitani Kotomi to review the contract and told Koichi that Golden Masterpiece was heading to Chiba to prepare for the Arima Kinen.
• Ayano Aoe warned Koichi that nine of the fourteen Arima Kinen runners were Grade 1 winners and confirmed Lovely Scenery would retire after the race.
• Koichi decided to contact Trainer Futawatari about his plans and intended to ride Golden Masterpiece in the Arima Kinen.
• Koichi checked the news and saw that Japan Jordan's Japan Cup victory, Lovely Scenery's retirement, and his own unbeaten record were major topics.

Koichi Sasaki reviewed and signed an agency contract with Saki Ikegami, who discussed potential rides and the Sunday Club’s resources with him. He planned to visit Nakayama Racecourse to see Golden Masterpiece before deciding which horse to ride in the Arima Kinen.

• Saki Ikegami brought Koichi Sasaki a contract and a list of potential horses, while Koichi sent photos of the contract to the Assistant for review.
• Koichi told Saki Ikegami that he planned to visit Nakayama Racecourse to see Golden Masterpiece and explained that he lacked experience riding dirt horses.
• The Assistant found no problems with the contract, and Koichi signed it with Saki Ikegami.
• Koichi said he had asked the trainer to turn down owner Shimakawa, and Saki Ikegami continued explaining potential rides and the Sunday Club’s plans to offer him opportunities next year.
• Koichi and Saki Ikegami finished discussing his work and the Sunday Club, then Koichi treated her to lunch.

Koichi prepared for the busy racing schedule ahead and completed a lucky draw, receiving food and exclusive bridles for Epiphaneia and Gold Ship. He planned to visit Golden Masterpiece in Chiba the next day as the camp began preparing for the Arima Kinen.

• Koichi stocked his hotel fridge and planned to visit Golden Masterpiece in Chiba with his agent the next day.
• Horse racing fans debated which horse Koichi would ride in the Arima Kinen and discussed his recent victories.
• Koichi read the online discussion and looked forward to the jockey gathering and possible awards after the Arima Kinen.
• Koichi used the lucky draw and received apples, carrots, and exclusive bridles for Epiphaneia and Gold Ship.
• Koichi planned to mail the bridles back as gifts and considered Gold Ship's future race schedule.

Koichi visited Golden Masterpiece at Nakayama Racecourse after the horse resumed training, and soothed his bad mood with a carrot. Koichi discussed his upcoming rides and the Arima Kinen with Hitachi Yosuke, while Saki Ikegami continued arranging opportunities for him.

• Koichi and Saki Ikegami arrived at Nakayama Racecourse and met Hitachi Yosuke, who was leading Golden Masterpiece back from his workout.
• Koichi activated a skill, stroked Golden Masterpiece, and calmed him by giving him a carrot.
• Hitachi Yosuke's assistant took Golden Masterpiece away to rest, and Saki Ikegami photographed the horse as he left.
• Koichi told Hitachi Yosuke that Saki had found him several rides at Tokyo Racecourse, mostly in two-year-old maiden races.
• Saki Ikegami received a call from an owner and stepped outside, while Hitachi Yosuke confirmed that she had recommended Koichi to the Sunday Club.
• Koichi assured Hitachi Yosuke that he would prioritize their side whenever he rode Golden Masterpiece.

Koichi Sasaki test-rode two maiden horses at Tokyo Racecourse ahead of a race the next day, while Saki Ikegami planned to find him more bookings. The chapter ended with news that Japan Jordan would have a foreign jockey for its next race, so Koichi would not ride it in pursuit of the Autumn Triple Crown.

• Saki Ikegami gave Koichi Sasaki the schedule for two test rides and a ten o’clock race the next day, and Trainer Shintani welcomed him.
• Koichi test-rode a two-year-old, assessed its responsiveness, and learned that Trainer Shintani wanted it to run mid-pack in its maiden race.
• Koichi told Saki Ikegami that the two maiden horses seemed promising but their true ability would only be clear in the races.
• Koichi ate fried chicken with Saki Ikegami, then spent several hours at the gym working on his balance.
• Koichi’s bookings drew attention to the two unfancied horses, while Japan Jordan’s camp announced it had switched to a foreign jockey for the next race.