Chapter Summaries

Koichi welcomed Saki Ikegami to Hokkai Ranch and showed her the horses before reviewing his January schedule. He agreed to appear on a television program, leaving his jockey career set to expand beyond racing.

• Koichi greeted Saki Ikegami at Hokkai Ranch after buying a car, and Mirai went to park it.
• Koichi showed Saki the ranch’s grazing area and introduced Gold Ship, One-Way Passage, Epiphaneia, and Japan Jordan.
• Koichi and Saki finished the tour without visiting the broodmare, who was due to give birth in two months and had a vet check scheduled.
• Saki gave Koichi his January schedule, including his races, travel arrangements, and an upcoming television appearance.
• Koichi agreed to try the recorded program after Saki explained it would help introduce him to fans and was requested by racing officials.

Koichi settled into a Kyoto rental with Saki Ikegami and prepared to visit Gold Ship at the Training Center. Over dinner, Megumi Mitsumori promised to train Gold Ship for the February race that could secure a place in the Satsuki Sho.

• Koichi arrived in Kyoto and moved into the apartment Saki Ikegami had arranged.
• Saki Ikegami reviewed the schedule for Koichi to visit Gold Ship at the Training Center and get a trial ride before the upcoming race.
• Koichi explored the neighborhood and sent Megumi Mitsumori the rental's address.
• Megumi Mitsumori visited Koichi, and they ate grilled meat while discussing her return to work and her training plans.
• Koichi asked Megumi Mitsumori to find an exercise rider and train Gold Ship well over the next month.
• Megumi Mitsumori vowed to prepare Gold Ship for the February race, which could secure the horse's place in the Satsuki Sho.

Koichi Sasaki met and tested Gentildonna ahead of the upcoming Christmas Stakes, finding her talented and responsive after calming her during mounting. He reported that she seemed ready for her first race, and he and Saki Ikegami left to await the results on the ninth.

• Koichi met Gentildonna with Saki Ikegami and put on protective gear before mounting her.
• Gentildonna tried to throw Koichi off, but he held her reins and used Calming to settle her.
• Koichi rode Gentildonna during training and found her physically exceptional, responsive to commands, and well suited to filly races.
• Koichi told the training assistant that Gentildonna felt good and that he expected no problems in her first race.
• Koichi tested several other three-year-old horses, gave their trainers and assistants feedback, then left with Saki to eat near Kyoto Station.

Megumi Mitsumori returned to Hokkai Ranch and began arranging Gold Ship’s training and move to Tokyo for the first half of the year. She assigned Yamana Takuto to handle Gold Ship and sought advice on air transport.

• Megumi Mitsumori returned to Hokkai Ranch, where Gold Ship ignored her and Mirai tried to scold him.
• Megumi Mitsumori told Mirai that Gold Ship would resume training and travel to Tokyo, with Yamana Takuto as his rider for the first half of the year.
• Megumi Mitsumori sent Mirai to prepare for the Tokyo stay and called Yamana Takuto to assign him Gold Ship’s daily training.
• Yamana Takuto accepted the assignment and agreed to prepare for six months in Tokyo.
• Megumi Mitsumori called Fujitani Kotomi for advice about transporting a racehorse by air, and Fujitani promised to send her the necessary information.

At Kyoto Racecourse, Koichi Sasaki won a three-year-old maiden race aboard New Dynamic, earning his first victory of the new year and completing the Sunday Club’s assignment. He headed for a rest but was reminded that he still had to give an interview.

• Koichi chatted with Kenichi Ikezoe, Ryuji Wada, and Yutaka Take before the races, while Katsumi Ando identified Yuga Kawada as Koichi’s rival.
• Koichi waited through the early dirt races before riding New Dynamic in a 2,000-meter turf maiden race.
• Koichi used Windmill Whip in the final straight to pull New Dynamic clear and win, with Kenichi Ikezoe’s Silk King finishing second.
• Koichi exchanged congratulations with Kenichi Ikezoe and learned that his win had successfully taken New Dynamic out of the maiden division.
• Saki Ikegami congratulated Koichi on his first win of the year and reminded him to attend an interview before he could rest.

Koichi Sasaki raced through a packed day at Kyoto Racecourse before preparing to ride Gentildonna in the Shinsan Memorial. As Gentildonna entered the Parade Ring as a leading contender, her staff hoped she would run well with the Oka Sho only three months away.

• Koichi ate a light meal, reviewed the afternoon schedule with Saki Ikegami, and hurried to prepare for his next race.
• Yutaka Take encouraged Koichi to adjust to the demands of racing, while Kenichi Ikezoe joined him on the way to the next race.
• Koichi finished ninth in one race and fifth in the following special race.
• Koichi and Yuga Kawada changed into the Sunday Club silks for the Shinsan Memorial, where Gentildonna was the second favorite behind Tokyo Halo.
• The commentators discussed Gentildonna and her rivals as the fifteen horses paraded, while Gentildonna's staff hoped she would behave and run well.

Koichi Sasaki nearly fell when Gentildonna balked at his mounting, but he calmed her and continued to the Shinsan Memorial starting gate. The horses entered the gates safely, and the commentators previewed the race as it prepared to begin.

• Gentildonna backed away as Koichi mounted, nearly throwing him, but a stablehand caught her reins and Koichi steadied himself with his skills.
• Koichi took the reins and reassured Gentildonna, while Katsumi Ando and Kenichi Ikezoe checked that he was unharmed.
• Gentildonna followed the other horses onto the track, and Koichi kept her calm as the horses warmed up.
• Koichi stopped Gentildonna when staff approached, then she resisted before staff guided her into gate seven.
• All fifteen horses entered the gates, and the commentators discussed the favorites, including a promising American-bred front-runner.

Gentildonna raced near the front in the 46th Nikkan Shinsan Memorial and accelerated into the final straight. She broke through a gap and surged alongside Tokyo Halo and number six as the leading front-runner began to fade.

• Gentildonna started well, settled in the middle of the field, and followed the fast pace set by number twelve, Cherry.
• Koichi kept Gentildonna in position while Iwata, Take, and Ikezoe prepared to pursue openings in the field.
• Number twelve entered the final straight in the lead as the horses behind began accelerating around the final turn.
• Iwata urged his mount forward to claim the inside lane, while Koichi adjusted Gentildonna's position to avoid being blocked by number six.
• Gentildonna burst through a gap and drew level with number six and Tokyo Halo, while Pure Soul struggled to accelerate.

Koichi Sasaki rode Gentildonna to victory in the Shinsan Memorial, securing her second consecutive win. After the race, her connections discussed her prospects for the Classics, while Koichi went to give an interview.

• Koichi used Mighty Arm to drive Gentildonna past the field, and she held off Microcrystal to win the Shinsan Memorial, with High Blue finishing third.
• Koichi patted Gentildonna after the finish, and Yutaka Take said her form suggested she could handle longer distances and target the Classic Races.
• Koichi told Kenichi Ikezoe that Gentildonna had been in good form despite an earlier incident in the Parade Ring.
• Gentildonna's stablehand thanked Koichi, and the staff placed the Shinsan Memorial sash on her after the inspection confirmed first place.
• Saki Ikegami praised Koichi's ride, and Koichi headed to the interview area after saying he was pleased with his two wins that day.

After winning the Shinsan Memorial with Gentildonna, Koichi Sasaki earned Sunday Club’s confidence and a commitment to ride her again. The team planned her next start for the Tulip Sho in March, while Koichi went to celebrate with fellow jockeys.

• Koichi Sasaki praised Gentildonna’s ability in an interview after winning the Shinsan Memorial for the second year in a row.
• Yoshino and Trainer Ishizaka asked Koichi to ride Gentildonna in her next race, and he accepted.
• Saki Ikegami noted that Gentildonna would rest for the remainder of the month before targeting the Tulip Sho in March and the Oka Sho in April.
• Saki told Koichi that Sunday Club was pleased with his performance and urged him to aim for a Grade 2 win in March.
• Koichi joined Kenichi Ikezoe and Ryuji Wada, and the three headed toward Kyoto Station to find a taxi to dinner in Sanjo.

Koichi discussed Gold Ship’s Triple Crown ambitions with fellow jockeys and learned more about the racing world during a meal in Kyoto. After two weeks of racing and training, he arranged with Saki Ikegami to visit Gold Ship before returning to Tokyo, where he would resume riding and prepare for upcoming work.

• Koichi told Kenichi Ikezoe and Ryuji Wada that Gold Ship was preparing to pursue the Triple Crown and discussed the horse’s stamina and weaknesses.
• Koichi said he planned to enter the Kyodo News Cup in early February, while Kenichi noted that the Kyoto Kinen fell on the same day.
• Koichi continued racing, exercising, and visiting the Training Center during his remaining weeks in Kyoto.
• Saki Ikegami told Koichi that his schedule was ready and that they could visit Gold Ship the next day.
• Koichi said he had already arranged the visit and explained that they would also see other horses due to race in Tokyo.

Koichi took Gold Ship to the training track for a trial ride while Mirai, Saki Ikegami, and Yamana Takuto watched. He tested Gold Ship’s acceleration and Mighty Arm as they prepared for the colt’s three-year-old campaign.

• Koichi reviewed Gold Ship’s weight and health with Yamana Takuto, who agreed to monitor his diet and keep his weight near 500.
• Koichi promised to send Mirai more carrots after she said they were running short.
• Saki Ikegami and Mirai petted Gold Ship before Koichi mounted him and took him to the track.
• Koichi urged Gold Ship to accelerate, while Saki and Mirai discussed his potential and Yamana watched to learn from Koichi.
• With two hundred meters left, Koichi used Mighty Arm to help Gold Ship get accustomed to it before racing.

Koichi finished training Gold Ship and left the rest of the horse’s preparation to Yamana Takuto while he and Saki Ikegami handled other work. After a demanding day of rides and consultations, Koichi headed back with Saki, who urged him to rest as he adjusted to his packed racing schedule.

• Koichi finished Gold Ship’s workout, thanked Miku Kuchiki for looking after the horse, and left the remaining training to Yamana Takuto.
• Koichi and Saki Ikegami departed for their other work, while Mirai stayed behind until the Derby and shared a photo of Koichi riding Gold Ship with the fan group chat.
• Mirai replied to fans’ questions about Gold Ship and Koichi, following Megumi Mitsumori’s advice to keep fans engaged.
• Koichi and Saki finished their day’s work and drove back as Koichi described the effort of riding several horses and giving feedback to their teams.
• Saki advised Koichi to rest as he adjusted to the intensity of his packed schedule, but he said he still planned to work out the next afternoon.

Koichi returned to Tokyo with Saki Ikegami and discussed Gold Ship’s preparations, his filming schedule, and upcoming rides. He agreed to check his schedule before Golden Masterpiece resumed training for the Hanshin Daishoten.

• Koichi arrived in Tokyo, and Megumi Mitsumori told him that Epiphaneia was in good form but still needed a jockey test to address his difficulty being restrained.
• Koichi and Megumi agreed to contact Ikezoe about the test and keep other jockeys as backup options.
• Saki Ikegami gave Koichi a schedule of racehorses he had not ridden yet and confirmed that his television show filming was in two days.
• Koichi planned to rest in a nearby hot spring before filming and later visiting Gold Ship to prepare for the Tokyo track.
• Ayano Aoe told Koichi that Golden Masterpiece was ready to resume training for the Hanshin Daishoten, and Koichi said he would check his schedule.

Koichi Sasaki appeared on his first television program, where he discussed his path to becoming a jockey, his meeting with Golden Masterpiece, and his goal of reviving Hokkai Ranch. The interview turned to amusing stories about Golden Masterpiece.

• Koichi arrived at the studio, had his makeup and photographs taken, and joined his agent before filming began.
• Koichi told the host that his love of horse racing and Hokkai Ranch's decline had led him to become a jockey.
• Koichi described the strict training and weight requirements at jockey school.
• Koichi recounted meeting Golden Masterpiece at Aoe Ranch and said his work now aimed to revive Hokkai Ranch.
• Koichi began sharing funny stories about Golden Masterpiece, including how the horse lured people in before frightening them.

Koichi reflected on his racing career during an interview, discussing the pressure he faced and asking fans to be understanding when jockeys or horses struggled. After filming, he planned to visit Gold Ship and continued his training while considering Golden Masterpiece’s upcoming races.

• Koichi described the pressure of racing and credited Golden Masterpiece for helping him earn six Grade 1 wins.
• Koichi said he paid little attention to online criticism and hoped fans would show understanding toward jockeys and horses in slumps.
• The interview ended, and the host and Saki Ikegami praised Koichi’s performance and discussed possible future appearances.
• Koichi declined a portrait session and left with Saki Ikegami, agreeing to pass along her greeting to Mirai.
• Back at the hotel, Koichi planned to visit Gold Ship the next day and contacted Mirai and Yosuke about Golden Masterpiece’s preparations.
• Koichi chose tonkotsu ramen for dinner and resumed his balance training before heading out.

Koichi Sasaki and Megumi Mitsumori prepared Gold Ship at Tokyo Racecourse for the Kyodo News Hai after passing up the Kyoto Kinen. After training, Koichi took Gold Ship back to the stable and washed him, while Miku Kuchiki hoped they would win in Tokyo.

• Koichi passed up a Kyoto Kinen ride on Sun God Steed so he could compete with Gold Ship in the Kyodo News Hai.
• Megumi Mitsumori said Gold Ship had developed considerably since last year, and Koichi controlled him through his final tune-up at Tokyo Racecourse.
• Gold Ship finished his training and impatiently headed back toward the stable, stopping to demand the other half of Koichi's carrot.
• Koichi decided to wash Gold Ship himself while Miku Kuchiki filmed them and hoped they would win their race in Tokyo.

On February 12, Koichi prepared for the Tokyo races while Gold Ship rested ahead of the Kyodo News Hai, where he was the favorite. Koichi headed to the Parade Ring as the race was about to begin, with an autograph session planned if Gold Ship won.

• Koichi visited the stables, where the veterinarian confirmed Gold Ship was healthy and Mirai said he was in great shape.
• Saki Ikegami told Koichi that an autograph session had been arranged in case Gold Ship won, and Koichi agreed to sign autographs.
• Koichi returned to Tokyo Racecourse, prepared for his rides, and considered his prospects and future work with the Sunday Club.
• Masayoshi Ubaname greeted Koichi, and they discussed his limited experience with dirt racing before the jockeys headed to the Parade Ring.

Gold Ship entered his first race as a three-year-old at Tokyo Racecourse as the favorite, while the commentators highlighted his rivalry with Gorgeous Glory and debated his chances. Koichi Sasaki prepared to ride him, hoping for a win that would put them on course for the Triple Crown.

• Yamana Takuto and Mirai led Gold Ship into the parade ring, where he stopped to look around before Mirai guided him onward.
• Gold Ship eyed the plants inside the parade ring, but Mirai kept him from trying to eat them.
• The commentators introduced Gold Ship, Gorgeous Glory, Spielberg, and the other leading horses, with both commentators favoring Gorgeous Glory over Gold Ship.
• Koichi Sasaki changed into his racing silks and told Saki Ikegami he would not let his fans down.
• Koichi hoped Gold Ship would show his ability and win so they could head straight for the Triple Crown.

Koichi rode Gold Ship into the starting gate for the important race against Glorious Splendor, while Megumi Mitsumori, Mirai, and Yamana Takuto waited anxiously. The chapter ended just before the start, with Gold Ship unusually calm and Koichi promising him extra feed if he won.

• Koichi thanked the stable staff and mounted Gold Ship before leading him onto the track behind Glorious Splendor.
• Gold Ship tried to intimidate Glorious Splendor during warm-ups, but the rival horse barely reacted, and Koichi kept Gold Ship focused.
• Megumi Mitsumori and Mirai discussed Gold Ship's condition with Yamana Takuto as they waited for the race to begin.
• Gold Ship entered the starting gate smoothly, and Koichi noticed he stayed unusually quiet inside it.
• Koichi promised Gold Ship extra feed that night if he won the race.