Chapter Summaries

Koichi Sasaki and Saki Ikegami flew to France to begin preparations for his overseas racing campaign while a television program discussed Golden Masterpiece’s chances in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The chapter left Koichi en route to France as Japanese jockeys voiced support for his attempt abroad.

• Koichi boarded a large passenger jet with Saki Ikegami and planned to use his remaining Lucky Draw chances after they settled in France.
• Saki reviewed their arrangements, including a pickup, an interpreter, and temporary hotel accommodation.
• After Koichi's plane took off, a television program featured Yutaka Take and Yuichi Fukunaga discussing Golden Masterpiece’s form and prospects in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
• The host reported that Koichi had boarded a plane for France, and Yutaka Take and Yuichi Fukunaga wished him well on his overseas campaign.
• Yutaka Take and Yuichi Fukunaga declined to pursue rides on Gold Ship or Gentildonna, citing existing arrangements and Gold Ship’s difficult temperament.

Koichi Sasaki’s departure for Europe drew both criticism and support, while Hokkai Ranch celebrated his domestic record with a highlight reel. At the ranch, Mirai and Megumi discussed Divine Might’s upcoming debut and the prospects of Koichi’s new horse, Xiaoman.

• Online commenters debated Koichi Sasaki’s decision to race abroad, and Hokkai Ranch posted a highlight reel of his graded-stakes victories.
• Megumi Mitsumori praised the video, while Mirai watched fans wish Koichi well and regret that he would not ride Golden Masterpiece in Europe.
• Mirai and Megumi watched Black North Road, nicknamed Xiaoman, running with his mother and discussed the horses at the ranch.
• Megumi said Divine Might should be ready for a Newcomer Race in the second half of his two-year-old season, and Mirai hoped a win would make Koichi happy.
• Megumi questioned whether Xiaoman’s power-oriented build could succeed in speed-focused domestic racing, while Mirai remained confident in him.

Koichi and Saki Ikegami arrived in Paris for work, where Koichi began adjusting to the time difference and prepared to visit a stable. After exploring nearby shops and making plans, they decided to visit the stable once they had rested.

• Koichi and Saki Ikegami landed in France and met the guide they had hired at the airport.
• During the drive, Koichi watched Mirai’s video and posted a message thanking supporters on Hokkai Ranch’s official account.
• Koichi woke up tired from jet lag, and Saki Ikegami offered him breakfast and discussed arrangements for their stay.
• Koichi and Saki Ikegami ate at a Japanese restaurant, bought clothes at a nearby mall, and stopped at a café.
• Koichi and Saki Ikegami decided to visit the stable after resting and postpone their visit to another place until later.

Koichi settled in Paris, arranged to visit Shoryu Racecourse, and studied the course as he prepared to race in Europe. He discovered new skills on the lucky draw wheel and began using the ten draws he had saved from the Takarazuka Kinen.

• Koichi approved the French interpreter Saki Ikegami had hired and said he would rest before exploring Paris.
• Koichi read about French horse racing and asked Saki Ikegami to arrange a visit to Shoryu Racecourse.
• Koichi reviewed his French and considered how racing in Europe would require him to adapt.
• Koichi opened the lucky draw wheel and found the new skills Overseas Experience, Inside-Track Breakthrough, and Straight-Line Racing.
• Koichi prepared to use his ten saved lucky draws, hoping for a new skill or Track Cards.

Koichi drew a Track Card and a new skill before visiting Longchamp Racecourse with Saki Ikegami to inspect the track. The inspection left him realizing that planning a route there would be difficult, so he expected to spend more time studying it.

• Koichi used his draws to obtain two Track Cards, the Straight-Line Racing skill, and several items.
• Koichi reviewed the horses and plans back home before going to sleep.
• Koichi and Saki Ikegami arranged to visit Longchamp Racecourse and traveled there with interpreter Joan Gatti.
• Joan Gatti discussed Golden Masterpiece's chances in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Saki Ikegami.
• Koichi inspected the track and found it difficult to plan a route, while Saki Ikegami recorded their first update from Europe.

At Hokkai Ranch, Ayano Aoe and Megumi Mitsumori discussed Koichi Sasaki’s plans, Golden Masterpiece, and Epiphaneia’s upcoming debut. After Kenichi Ikezoe completed Epiphaneia’s final workout, the assistant asked him to discuss Gold Ship’s upcoming schedule.

• Ayano Aoe and Megumi Mitsumori fed Gold Ship and One-Way Passage while discussing Sasaki’s post, Golden Masterpiece, and Epiphaneia’s Saturday race.
• Megumi Mitsumori reflected on the year since Gold Ship’s debut, and Gold Ship pulled her attention back to feeding him.
• Kenichi Ikezoe finished Epiphaneia’s final workout gallop and said the colt had felt strong while keeping something in reserve.
• Epiphaneia went off to rest with Kuga Kai, while the assistant noted Megumi Mitsumori’s concern about his first race.
• The assistant asked Kenichi Ikezoe to discuss Gold Ship’s Kobe Shimbun Hai schedule, and Ikezoe agreed after taking a break.

Epiphaneia arrived at the racecourse for his debut, with Megumi Mitsumori and Mirai watching and Kenichi Ikezoe set to ride him. After inspecting the Parade Ring and meeting his jockey, Epiphaneia headed toward the starting gate with a plan to stay just behind the leaders.

• Megumi Mitsumori and Mirai visited Epiphaneia in the stables, where he shook off Mirai's attempt to pet him.
• Megumi Mitsumori checked on Kuga Kai and prepared for Epiphaneia's first race, noting his strong workout results and good condition.
• Epiphaneia entered the Parade Ring wearing saddlecloth number two, while the commentators discussed his promising pedigree and status as the favorite.
• Megumi Mitsumori spoke with Kenichi Ikezoe, who confirmed he would follow their plan to secure a position behind the leaders from stall two.
• Kenichi Ikezoe mounted Epiphaneia and stroked his mane before they set out to race for first place.

Epiphaneia made a powerful debut in an 1,800-meter Newcomer Race, overcoming a boxed-in position to win decisively. The victory left other jockeys anticipating a future clash with Deep Bond on the Classic Circuit.

• Epiphaneia broke quickly from the stalls and settled into a pressing position before being boxed in behind the leaders.
• Kenichi Ikezoe restrained Epiphaneia and waited for an opening as Megumi Mitsumori and Mirai watched anxiously.
• Entering the final straight, Kenichi Ikezoe found a gap and Epiphaneia surged past Ruby and the other horses.
• Epiphaneia widened the lead and won by four lengths, with Ruby finishing second.
• Wada, Fukunaga, and the other jockeys considered Epiphaneia a major new rival and anticipated a future meeting with Deep Bond.

Epiphaneia won its Newcomer Race impressively, earning praise from Kenichi Ikezoe and Megumi Mitsumori as they considered its next starts. In Paris, Koichi received news of the victory and watched the race before preparing for his own first race the following week.

• Epiphaneia won its debut, and Kenichi Ikezoe praised its strength while Megumi Mitsumori began considering its next race.
• Megumi Mitsumori told Kenichi Ikezoe he remained their first choice to ride Epiphaneia while Koichi was away.
• Koichi received news of Epiphaneia's victory in Paris after meeting a local trainer and settling into his new accommodation.
• Saki Ikegami told Koichi that his paperwork was complete and he could begin racing the following Saturday.
• Koichi watched Epiphaneia's Newcomer Race with Saki Ikegami and approved of its performance.

Koichi visited his father, Teruhiro Sasaki, at the family’s European winery and learned more about their overseas estate. They discussed Koichi’s future and upcoming races, and Koichi planned to return home after watching the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

• Koichi found Teruhiro Sasaki at the family winery and learned that their ancestors had left the estate to them.
• Teruhiro asked Koichi about becoming a first-rate jockey, and Koichi said he might retire around thirty and spend time at the winery.
• Teruhiro regretted that Koichi could not get used to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe course, but Koichi said he planned to return home after the race.
• Teruhiro told Koichi to be careful and promised to cheer him on at next week's race.
• Saki Ikegami praised the winery, and Teruhiro offered her bottles of wine in gratitude for looking after Koichi.
• Koichi, Teruhiro, and Saki agreed to stay at the estate overnight and return the next day to prepare for the race.

Koichi prepared to begin racing in France, discussing European racing rules and tactics before traveling to Normandy to meet his mounts. He left with the August races approaching and planned to follow the trainers’ instructions while adapting to European racing.

• At dinner, Koichi discussed his upcoming races in Deauville with Teruhiro Sasaki and learned he had been booked for two graded stakes.
• Saki Ikegami reminded Koichi to follow European racing rules, while Teruhiro reassured him that initial mistakes would likely bring only warnings.
• Koichi and Teruhiro discussed differences between European and Japanese racing, and Koichi said he would not bring Gold Ship to Europe.
• The next morning, Koichi and Saki traveled to Normandy, where Koichi met a bay horse that welcomed him but pinned its ears back at Saki.
• Koichi said a front-running strategy might give him the best chance in the graded stakes, but Saki told him to follow the trainers’ tactics and focus on learning European racing.

Koichi Sasaki met several leading jockeys at his first European race meeting and adjusted to the slower pace of racing on natural turf. He urged his unlikely mount through the final straight, but several horses passed him, and the chapter ended before his finishing position was given.

• Koichi met Li Muhua, Ryan Moore, Frankie Dettori, William Buick, Mirco Demuro, and Christophe Soumillon at the racecourse.
• Koichi reviewed his two unfavored mounts and prepared to race while Saki Ikegami and Teruhiro Sasaki watched.
• Koichi broke well, settled behind the leader, and followed the tightly packed field through the middle stages.
• Koichi drove his mount hard in the final straight, but several closers passed them.

Koichi Sasaki finished fifth in his first race back in Europe, tiring but learning that he needed to manage his own rhythm and rebuild his form. Back in Japan, Mirai and Haruki watched the race and hoped he would improve before the September meeting at Longchamp.

• Koichi told Li Muhua that he was fine after the race, and Li Muhua noted that Koichi’s inexperience had shown in his tactical decisions.
• Saki Ikegami checked on Koichi, who said his long break had left him out of form and that he would rest before his next race.
• News reports in Japan praised Koichi’s effort in the closing stages while others said Europe’s leading jockeys had outclassed him.
• Mirai worried that Koichi had looked exhausted, and Haruki reassured her that his agent and the master were with him.
• Haruki urged Mirai to sleep rather than stay up for another live race, while she planned to watch secretly and prepare to take Gold Ship back into training.

Gold Ship returned to training and began preparing for the Kobe Shimbun Hai with Kenichi Ikezoe, while Golden Masterpiece recovered ahead of its European campaign for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The chapter left both horses progressing toward their next races, with Ayano Aoe insisting that Golden Masterpiece’s team avoid any setbacks before departure.

• Gold Ship, Golden Masterpiece, and One-Way Passage returned to the Training Center, while Xiaoman and a new companion began racehorse education at Aoe Ranch.
• Aoe Ranch reported that Golden Masterpiece was healthy and recovering, as public attention focused on its condition and Gold Ship’s expected partnership with Kenichi Ikezoe.
• Kenichi Ikezoe met Gold Ship and began training with it ahead of the Kobe Shimbun Hai, with One-Way Passage serving as their training partner.
• Mirai worried about Koichi Sasaki’s difficult European campaign, while Yamana Takuto reassured her that Sasaki’s performances were improving as he adapted.
• Ayano Aoe checked Golden Masterpiece’s recovery with Fujitani Kotomi and ordered the team to proceed cautiously before the planned European departure.

Koichi returned to Paris after securing two wins in Normandy, including a Grade 3 victory, and prepared for the upcoming races at Longchamp. He chose not to visit Golden Masterpiece, while catching up with Megumi Mitsumori about the horses back home.

• Koichi reflected on winning two Normandy races, including the Grade 3 Prix de Revi, as Saki Ikegami told him they had received more bookings for Longchamp.
• Koichi declined to visit Golden Masterpiece in Paris, saying a visit could attract unwanted media attention and put pressure on Clear River Ranch.
• During the drive, Koichi messaged Megumi Mitsumori, who reported that Gold Ship was recovering well and Epiphaneia's next race had nearly been chosen.
• Megumi Mitsumori complained that the other horses from owners' stables had not won debut races, and Koichi reassured her that she was still building her reputation.
• Koichi confirmed to Saki Ikegami that Kenichi Ikezoe would ride Epiphaneia in all of the horse's second-half races, then settled in for dinner.

Koichi Sasaki won three races over two days at Longchamp and received an offer to ride in the Prix Niel over 2,400 meters. Ayano Aoe watched his races while Golden Masterpiece continued to throw tantrums despite attempts to improve her condition.

• Koichi Sasaki won one race on his second day at Longchamp but felt disappointed after missing out on a Grade 3 race over 1,000 meters.
• Li Muhua praised Koichi for winning three races that week, and Koichi said he was becoming more familiar with racing in France.
• Saki Ikegami told Koichi that they had received an offer for the Prix Niel and secured a capable horse for him to ride.
• Koichi agreed to celebrate with a meal at a Japanese restaurant, while Saki said more offers might follow.
• Ayano Aoe and Fujitani Kotomi discussed Koichi's progress and why he had not visited Golden Masterpiece.
• Fujitani told Ayano that Golden Masterpiece's tantrums continued despite trying expensive carrots, and Ayano ordered the team to keep searching for a solution.

At the Training Center, Gold Ship and Epiphaneia kept up their noisy rivalry as the stable prepared for upcoming races. In Paris, Koichi Sasaki agreed to ride Gentildonna in the Japan Cup, while learning Golden Masterpiece was expected to return for the Arima Kinen, setting up a possible meeting with Gold Ship.

• Megumi Mitsumori and Mirai discussed Gold Ship's training, Epiphaneia's confidence, and the horses' upcoming races as Gold Ship and Epiphaneia argued again.
• Megumi Mitsumori said Gentildonna would run with Yuga Kawada as her jockey, and Gold Ship's Kobe Shimbun Hai would be her final race before the end of the year.
• In Paris, Saki Ikegami told Koichi Sasaki that Sunday Club planned for Gentildonna to run in the Japan Cup after the Shuka Sho.
• Koichi Sasaki agreed that Gentildonna could race in the Japan Cup and learned that Golden Masterpiece would likely return from the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe to run in the Arima Kinen.
• Saki Ikegami noted that Gentildonna's upcoming prep race would pit her against Extreme Peak while Koichi Sasaki was absent.

Koichi won a Grade 3 sprint in Europe but received a warning and fine for exceeding the permitted whip strikes. At his grandfather’s estate, he and Saki Ikegami discussed Golden Masterpiece’s unstable form and the upcoming 2,400-meter race, while Koichi prepared for his return to Japan.

• Koichi won a Grade 3 sprint, earned a warning and fine for excessive whip use, and told Li Muhua he planned to watch the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe before heading home.
• Saki Ikegami told Koichi that Golden Masterpiece had been in poor form and acting temperamental ahead of the upcoming race.
• Koichi and Saki Ikegami discussed Imperial Castle’s strong support and Golden Masterpiece’s chances, while Saki speculated that Aoe Ranch might ask Koichi to ride again if the horse lost.
• Teruhiro Sasaki offered Koichi and Saki Ikegami meat, and Saki left to handle the growing number of bookings from back home.

Koichi watched Golden Masterpiece race in the Prix Foy, where the unsettled favorite veered into the inside rail in the final straight and lost its chance to win. Ayano Aoe accepted that the race was over, leaving Golden Masterpiece’s next steps uncertain.

• Koichi watched Golden Masterpiece prepare for the Prix Foy after finishing fourth in his own race.
• Mirco Demuro settled Golden Masterpiece at the rear as Meandre led at a slow pace.
• Golden Masterpiece gradually made up ground while the field accelerated in the second half of the race.
• In the final straight, Golden Masterpiece charged along the inside but crashed into the rail and slowed down.
• Rock'n'Roll Album and Meandre passed Golden Masterpiece as Ayano Aoe closed her eyes and considered what to do next.

After Golden Masterpiece crashed into the rail and threw Mirco Demuro, Koichi went to calm the horse and led it to the rest area. Ayano Aoe took responsibility for the incident and planned for Golden Masterpiece and Koichi to prepare for the upcoming Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

• Golden Masterpiece crashed into the rail, lost speed, and threw Mirco Demuro during the race.
• Saki Ikegami urged Koichi to go help, and Koichi vaulted over the railing and ran to Golden Masterpiece.
• Golden Masterpiece charged toward Koichi but slowed and stopped when it recognized his voice.
• Koichi calmed Golden Masterpiece, took the reins, and led it to the rest area.
• Ayano Aoe told her Assistant to replace the jockey and said she would take responsibility for the incident.
• Ayano Aoe and Saki Ikegami expected Koichi and Golden Masterpiece to prepare for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.