Chapter Summaries

Koichi finished his promotional work and arranged to sign a contract for a new home before heading to Kyoto and returning to the Training Center. Meanwhile, Megumi Mitsumori prepared Gold Ship and her other horses for training ahead of Koichi’s visit and upcoming races.

• Koichi wrapped up his interviews and photo shoots, and Saki Ikegami told him one interview remained before their trip to Kyoto.
• Koichi chose to skip a rest day so he could visit his racehorses, and he agreed to sign the contract for the house that afternoon.
• Megumi Mitsumori told Mirai that Koichi would inspect the horses the next day and planned to have him ride two ordinary horses before Gold Ship.
• Mirai hurried to bring Gold Ship out and tell him Koichi was coming back.
• Megumi Mitsumori instructed her assistant to begin the afternoon training according to plan and put in extra effort.

Koichi returned to the Training Center after winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and reunited with Epiphaneia and Gold Ship. He agreed to train Epiphaneia that afternoon and then went to see the other racehorses.

• Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori discussed the stable's growing expenses, its prospects, and Koichi's support for her operation.
• Koichi met Epiphaneia, who excitedly nuzzled him, and praised his two consecutive wins ahead of his upcoming graded stakes race.
• Koichi agreed to take over Epiphaneia's training that afternoon, while Megumi Mitsumori explained that his and Gold Ship's sessions were scheduled separately.
• Koichi greeted Gold Ship, who calmly pretended to sleep, and Mirai complained that he had ignored their plan to welcome him.
• Koichi left Gold Ship to rest and headed off to see the other racehorses.

After returning from France, Koichi resumed training in Japan and rode a promising two-year-old before working with Gold Ship. The chapter left Gold Ship building toward the Kikuka Sho, while Koichi’s form and ambitions had grown after his European racing experience.

• Koichi and his companions divided up the gifts he had brought back from France, and he discussed his family’s small winery.
• Megumi Mitsumori asked Koichi to train a two-year-old horse, and he agreed to ease back into training after two months away from Japan.
• Koichi encountered other jockeys at the stable, then inspected the dirt-bred horse and began training with Yamana Takuto.
• Koichi rode Gold Ship through stamina work, keeping the horse accelerating as it caught and passed another horse.
• Megumi Mitsumori and Saki Ikegami observed that Koichi’s form had held up and Gold Ship was improving ahead of the Kikuka Sho and the year-end Arima Kinen.

Koichi Sasaki trained Epiphaneia and discussed his plans in Osaka before sharing stories about his successful racing trip to France over dinner. His Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victory had raised his profile, and his companions wondered whether they might someday race overseas too.

• Koichi trained Epiphaneia and sent him to continue his exercises with his rider.
• Koichi, Megumi Mitsumori, and Saki Ikegami agreed to gather in Osaka for dinner while leaving the senior jockeys to prepare for the Shuka Sho.
• Koichi told Mirai that he would make a brief guest appearance on TV the following week.
• Yamana Takuto asked Koichi about racing in France, and Koichi began recounting how foreign jockeys had beaten him when he first arrived.
• Megumi Mitsumori said she hoped to campaign in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe someday.

Koichi returned to Kyoto Racecourse to prepare for racing again after winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Golden Masterpiece. He caught up with fellow jockeys and planned to watch the Shuka Sho before appearing as a guest on the Authorities' livestream, while his own return race with Gold Ship awaited next week.

• Koichi tested the Kyoto turf while training and told Saki Ikegami that its conditions differed in places.
• Koichi reunited with Kenichi Ikezoe, Yutaka Take, Ryuji Wada, and Yuichi Fukunaga, who congratulated him on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victory.
• Koichi credited Golden Masterpiece for their success and reflected on their last race together as Golden Masterpiece's retirement approached.
• Koichi confirmed that Kenichi Ikezoe would ride Golden Masterpiece in the Arima Kinen after Koichi recommended him.
• Koichi told Yutaka Take that he would appear at the Authorities' livestream studio for the Shuka Sho, where Yuga Kawada would ride Gentildonna.
• Koichi prepared to return to racing with Gold Ship in the Kikuka Sho the following week.

Koichi Sasaki appeared on an official livestream, where he backed Gentildonna to win the final leg of the Triple Crown and discussed the contenders. The race ended with Gentildonna and Extreme Peak crossing the finish line together, leaving the result to a photo finish.

• Koichi joined the livestream as a guest and wrote down Gentildonna for first place and Extreme Peak for second.
• Koichi analyzed the horses, jockeys, and likely race tactics before the race began.
• At Kyoto Racecourse, Gentildonna and Extreme Peak fought side by side as the finish line approached.
• Koichi and Saki Ikegami watched the close finish, with Koichi saying they could trust Kawada's drive.
• Gentildonna and Extreme Peak crossed the line together, and the commentator announced that the result required a photo finish.

After Gentildonna won the Shuka Sho, Koichi celebrated with fellow jockeys and discussed the upcoming Japan Cup and Arima Kinen. He prepared to return to racing the following week, with Gold Ship’s final workout and the Arima Kinen looming as major milestones.

• Gentildonna won the Shuka Sho by a nose, and Koichi finished his guest appearance at the racecourse.
• Koichi told Saki Ikegami he was eager to race again next week and expected Gold Ship to carry him to a win in the Kikuka Sho.
• Koichi and the other jockeys discussed Golden Masterpiece skipping the Japan Cup for the Arima Kinen and Gentildonna’s likely upcoming races.
• Koichi said he would not stay abroad for an extended period again and returned to Osaka after the celebratory dinner.
• Koichi reviewed his schedule, planning to use his ten lucky draws and complete Gold Ship’s final workout gallop before returning to racing.

Koichi trained to rebuild his stamina while Saki Ikegami handled his apartment furnishings and upcoming race schedule. He declined to take on a jockey program, and the chapter ended with his focus on Gold Ship’s Kikuka Sho.

• Koichi asked Saki Ikegami to arrange midrange furniture, a gym, a gaming room, and a comfortable bed for his apartment.
• Koichi went to the gym to train his stamina and balance while chatting with Megumi Mitsumori about the Kikuka Sho and Gold Ship’s unbeaten record.
• Saki Ikegami discussed Koichi’s November races and possible mounts, while Koichi declined to start a jockey program because filming would take up his rest time.
• Koichi asked Saki Ikegami for a better dinner, but she told him to wait until he had finished the week’s races.
• Koichi resumed training, with the week’s main priority being Gold Ship’s Kikuka Sho.

After returning home, Koichi used his ten hard-earned lucky draws and then went to Megumi Mitsumori’s stable to prepare for the upcoming races. He planned to train Gold Ship before returning to Tokyo, while Epiphaneia greeted him at the stable.

• Koichi used ten lucky draws and received two Track Cards, an Experience Book, and other supplies, then planned to invest the Track Cards in Kyoto and Nakayama Racecourses.
• Koichi considered his prospects for the rest of the year and discussed the Sunday Club’s interest in expanding their cooperation and sending horses abroad.
• Koichi arrived at the Training Center, where Megumi Mitsumori welcomed him and confirmed Gold Ship was fit for his workout gallop.
• Koichi greeted Epiphaneia and asked about Gold Ship’s plans after the upcoming race; Megumi Mitsumori said Gold Ship would return to Hokkai Ranch for a spell.

Koichi Sasaki and Gold Ship completed a final workout gallop alongside One-Way Passage ahead of their upcoming races. Gold Ship showed strong form and surged ahead, while the trainers discussed One-Way Passage’s prospects in the Autumn Emperor’s Cup.

• Saki Ikegami joined Koichi at the training center before they were due to travel to Tokyo to look at houses.
• Koichi greeted One-Way Passage and his rider, then mounted Gold Ship for their joint workout.
• Megumi Mitsumori and Tetsuya Futawatari discussed One-Way Passage’s chances in the Autumn Emperor’s Cup and the strength of its field.
• Megumi started the workout, and One-Way Passage took an early lead before Gold Ship caught up and moved more than half a length ahead.
• Koichi urged Gold Ship to accelerate again, and the onlookers noted that he appeared to be in excellent form.

After Gold Ship drew stall one for the Kikuka Sho, Koichi and the team chose a cautious plan to run as a closer rather than risk being boxed in while pressing forward. The team prepared to travel to Kyoto, while Koichi planned a stop in Tokyo to see his new home.

• Gold Ship drew stall one, and Koichi told reporters that the team had its own strategy.
• Koichi, Megumi Mitsumori, Yamana Takuto, and Mirai discussed the danger of Gold Ship being trapped against the rail.
• Koichi proposed easing back and running as a closer, and Megumi Mitsumori approved the plan.
• Koichi arranged to leave for Tokyo the next morning before heading to Kyoto, while Mirai and Yamana Takuto planned to accompany Gold Ship.
• Koichi took the others for a walk after Megumi Mitsumori stayed behind to finish her reports.

Koichi Sasaki toured and bought a costly two-level apartment in Tokyo, and Saki Ikegami considered becoming his neighbor. After traveling to Kyoto for the races, Koichi decided he would return to Tokyo as soon as the racing was over.

• A real estate staff member showed Koichi and Saki the apartment Koichi had bought and gave him the building entrance code.
• Koichi admired the apartment’s spacious layout and river view, and Saki said she might contact the company about buying one herself.
• Koichi agreed that Saki could ask him for help if she became his neighbor, then chose lunch and a Shinkansen trip to Kyoto instead of furniture shopping.
• Koichi slept on the journey to Kyoto, and he and Saki checked into the same hotel as before.
• Koichi decided to return directly to Tokyo after the week’s races, then took his gear upstairs and considered buying a new set.

Koichi Sasaki returned to racing at Kyoto Racecourse after a two-week break and prepared for his first race back in Japan, with spectators and fellow jockeys watching closely. As the race was about to begin, Megumi Mitsumori and Yamana Takuto watched from the racecourse while Gold Ship waited at the stable.

• Koichi Sasaki arrived early, practiced on the mechanical horse, and prepared for a packed day of racing before the Kikuka Sho.
• Koichi greeted Kenichi Ikezoe, Yuichi Fukunaga, Koshiro Take, Christophe Lemaire, and Yuga Kawada, then used a Track Card to assess the course.
• Commentators highlighted Koichi's return as spectators cheered and gathered to see him ride the fifth favorite in the first race.
• Megumi Mitsumori and Yamana Takuto watched Koichi on the broadcast and discussed the large crowd and the coming races.
• Mirai told Gold Ship to keep quiet because Koichi's race was about to start, but Gold Ship continued neighing.

After Koichi and Ayano Aoe discussed the documentary, merchandise, and his new apartment, Koichi returned to prepare for the Kikuka Sho. Ayano and Megumi Mitsumori went for a walk and discussed Gold Ship's chances against Golden Masterpiece in the Arima Kinen.

• Koichi told Ayano Aoe that he planned to return to Hokkai Ranch the following Tuesday to film his part of the documentary.
• Koichi and Ayano reminisced about Golden Masterpiece's Triple Crown victory and discussed Koichi's Tokyo apartment and upcoming merchandise.
• Ayano gave Koichi a special Golden Masterpiece collector's set as his gift for the year.
• Koichi left to prepare for the Kikuka Sho, and Ayano went for a walk along the Kamo River with Megumi Mitsumori.
• Megumi said she believed Golden Masterpiece could win the Arima Kinen but held out hope for Gold Ship, and Ayano agreed that Gold Ship had promise.

On Sunday at Kyoto Racecourse, Ayano Aoe and Megumi Mitsumori checked Gold Ship before the Kikuka Sho, while Koichi prepared for his afternoon races. Gold Ship appeared in good condition, and Koichi and his agent confirmed his next race preparations.

• Ayano Aoe greeted Gold Ship, but he barely acknowledged her because she had no carrots to offer.
• Megumi Mitsumori told Ayano Aoe that Gold Ship treated even his trainer and Sasaki with little interest unless carrots were involved.
• Ayano Aoe and Megumi Mitsumori judged Gold Ship to be in good shape before leaving him in Mirai's care.
• Mirai promised Gold Ship a feast after the race, and he settled back down.
• Koichi, Kenichi Ikezoe, and Yuichi Fukunaga discussed the large afternoon crowd and the pressure of the Kikuka Sho.
• Koichi confirmed his upcoming race and collected his helmet and racing silks from Saki Ikegami.

Gold Ship prepared to enter the Kikuka Sho as Mirai and Yamana Takuto led him toward the racecourse, while Koichi finished another race and got ready to ride him. The chapter ended as Gold Ship reached the Parade Ring and the people around him prepared for the main event.

• Mirai attached a red warning flower to Gold Ship and led him toward the racecourse with Yamana Takuto.
• Mirai put Gold Ship's hood on to keep him from getting distracted, and she promised him extra food and a long break after the race.
• Koichi finished a 1,200-meter race, changed into his family's racing silks, and prepared for the Kikuka Sho.
• Kenichi Ikezoe told Koichi that the other jockeys would target Gold Ship, and Koichi said he understood how the race would go.
• Megumi Mitsumori and Ayano Aoe watched the horses enter the Parade Ring as Gold Ship and Koichi prepared for the race.

Gold Ship and Koichi Sasaki prepared for the Kikuka Sho, with commentators favoring the undefeated pair despite concerns about Gold Ship's inside starting stall. After warming up calmly, Gold Ship was left waiting to load into the stalls as Koichi hoped the delay would not cause trouble.

• Commentators praised Gold Ship's form and predicted that Koichi Sasaki could guide the horse to an undefeated third crown.
• Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori confirmed they would follow their planned tactics, while Ayano Aoe watched from outside the VIP Room.
• Koichi mounted Gold Ship, and Yamana Takuto took over leading the horse during the warm-up as Megumi and Mirai joined Ayano to watch.
• Gold Ship ran happily during the warm-up while commentators discussed the challenge of starting from stall one and the threat posed by Yuga Kawada and Shasta Mountain.
• Yamana removed Gold Ship's hood, and Koichi stroked the horse while worrying about how long it might have to wait in the starting stall.

Koichi chose to let Gold Ship settle at the rear rather than fight the other jockeys for position in the 3,000-meter Kikuka Sho. As the field entered the Third Turn, Gold Ship remained relaxed and the race was still underway.

• Gold Ship entered stall one calmly, and all eighteen horses loaded before the Kikuka Sho began.
• The outside horses accelerated to block Gold Ship, but Koichi held back and let Gold Ship settle at the rear.
• The commentator noted Gold Ship’s position at the back as the field passed the stands and began another lap.
• Koichi kept Gold Ship’s rhythm steady along the inside rail while monitoring the pace.
• As the field entered the Third Turn, some horses began to tire while Gold Ship continued comfortably at the rear.

Gold Ship surged from the back of the field with a thousand meters remaining, charging to the front before the final turn. As the horses entered the straight, Koichi Sasaki prepared to unleash Gold Ship’s Final Kick in pursuit of an undefeated Triple Crown.

• Yuichi Fukunaga and Yuga Kawada watched for their chance to challenge Gold Ship as the field approached the Third Turn.
• Koshiro Take felt his stamina draining while leading and hoped to hold on for a top-five finish.
• Koichi Sasaki accelerated Gold Ship on the uphill Third Turn, surprising the spectators and rival jockeys.
• Gold Ship passed the horses ahead and reached the front before the final turn, securing a clear position for the straight.
• Koichi Sasaki entered the straight ready to unleash Gold Ship’s Final Kick.

Gold Ship won the Kikuka Sho with a commanding thousand-meter charge, becoming an undefeated Triple Crown winner. After the race, Ayano Aoe, Megumi Mitsumori, and Mirai discussed Koichi Sasaki’s risky move and his confidence in Gold Ship.

• Koichi Sasaki urged Gold Ship into a thousand-meter acceleration, and Gold Ship pulled away from Noble Sky and the rest of the field.
• Gold Ship crossed the finish line first in the Kikuka Sho, securing the undefeated Triple Crown.
• Koichi patted Gold Ship, who slowed down and strolled around the course as the crowd cheered.
• Ayano Aoe asked Megumi Mitsumori whether the early charge had been planned, and Megumi said the team had only settled on a closer strategy.
• Mirai said Koichi had charged early because he knew Gold Ship could sustain it, and Ayano agreed.