Chapter Summaries

Gold Ship returned to Hokkai Ranch and enjoyed pasture rest with One-Way Passage while Mirai tended to the horses and filmed them for fans. Mirai also checked on Black North and Epiphaneia, who remained at the ranch as his next race plans were considered.

• Gold Ship returned to his paddock, greeted One-Way Passage, and ran around with him during pasture rest.
• Mirai brought fan-sent grass and divided it between Gold Ship and One-Way Passage, then filmed them eating.
• Gold Ship ate, rolled in the snow, and played with One-Way Passage while Mirai arranged hot water and returned to her work.
• Mirai visited Black North and learned from the stable manager that he had grown quickly and looked likely to become a large racehorse.
• Mirai checked on Epiphaneia, who ate grass and ignored her, then prepared to film promotional videos for him.

At the 2012 year-end racing celebration in Tokyo, Koichi Sasaki reunited with fellow jockeys and reflected on his plans after Golden Masterpiece’s retirement. Golden Masterpiece was named Horse of the Year for a second consecutive time, leaving Koichi to look back on their shared achievements and take satisfaction in his own award.

• Megumi Mitsumori and Koichi attended the year-end gathering, where fellow jockeys congratulated Koichi and discussed his progress and plans for the coming year.
• Koichi told Yuichi Fukunaga and the other jockeys that he hoped to travel abroad for races and said he was satisfied with his past win at Longchamp.
• An authority representative praised Koichi and Golden Masterpiece for winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as the 2012 celebration began.
• The ceremony announced the year’s racing awards, including Gold Ship as Best Three-Year-Old Colt and Gentildonna as Best Three-Year-Old Mare.
• Golden Masterpiece was named 2012 Horse of the Year for the second consecutive time, and Koichi watched the tribute with a faint smile.
• Koichi noted that Epiphaneia had missed the Best Two-Year-Old Colt award but felt satisfied with his own Best Three-Year-Old Colt honor.

Koichi Sasaki received the jockey awards at the ceremony, including the highest prize-money award, before traveling to Hokkaido to visit his ranch. He arrived to find the ranch staff awaiting him and heard that Black North was growing quickly and had become the herd’s boss.

• Koichi watched the awards ceremony and waited for the jockey awards to begin.
• Koichi received the award for the highest prize-money earnings and several other honors, while Yutaka Take praised him and welcomed the next generation of jockeys.
• After speaking with senior jockeys, Koichi returned to his lodgings and prepared to fly to Hokkaido the next day.
• Mirai picked Koichi up at the airport and drove him toward the ranch through the snow.
• Koichi and Mirai discussed Gold Ship and Black North, who was eight months old, growing rapidly, and leading the herd.

Koichi spent time playing with Epiphaneia at Hokkai Ranch before greeting Gold Ship and discussing the ranch’s plans with Haruki Kuchiki. The chapter left Koichi preparing to rest after arranging to breed Sweetie to Golden Masterpiece and considering whether the ranch should buy more broodmares.

• Koichi led Epiphaneia around the snowy paddock, played with him, and fed him a carrot before leaving.
• Koichi met Gold Ship as Mirai led him back to his stable, and Gold Ship nudged Koichi before heading home.
• Koichi told Haruki Kuchiki that he planned to breed Sweetie to Golden Masterpiece next year and sell the other broodmare’s foal.
• Koichi gave Haruki permission to consider buying more broodmares, saying the ranch could invest in expansion as long as the spending stayed reasonable.
• Haruki thanked Koichi and left, while Koichi prepared to rest after his long day.

Koichi visited the pasture to check on Black North, who had grown large and energetic and was already leading the other foals. Back in his room, Koichi relaxed with Mirai and discussed the ranch’s horses as New Year preparations continued.

• Koichi watched the foals play and noted that Black North’s size stood out among them.
• Koichi petted Black North, praised him as a little captain, and took photos before the foal ran off with the others.
• Koichi returned to his room and looked at New Year photos sent by Megumi Mitsumori and Ayano Aoe.
• Mirai brought Koichi fruit and snacks, and he invited her to sit and eat with him.
• Koichi and Mirai chatted about Man o' War, who would soon enter the Stable to prepare for racing.

Koichi returned to Tracen after New Year's to prepare for upcoming races and discussed his horses and stable with Megumi. They ended by turning to plans for Divine Might and Gold Ship's races in the first half of the year.

• Koichi visited Megumi's stable to get acquainted with horses he would ride in the first week's races.
• Megumi told Koichi that Man o' War, whom she called Xiaoman, was doing well at the Training Ranch and would be a star among her two-year-olds.
• Yamana Takuto returned early to help at the stable, and Megumi promised him a raise once the rest of the staff came back.
• Koichi and Megumi reflected on how their partnership had grown, including Gold Ship's Triple Crown and Arima Kinen victories.
• Megumi opened her notebook to discuss plans for Divine Might and Ship's upcoming races.

Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori planned the upcoming seasons for Epiphaneia and Gold Ship, including their prep races and targets. Koichi agreed to ride Epiphaneia in the Yayoi Sho as the new racing season approached.

• Koichi proposed entering Epiphaneia in the Yayoi Sho before the Satsuki Sho and Derby, and Megumi Mitsumori agreed.
• Koichi chose the Hanshin Daishoten as Gold Ship's prep race for the Spring Tenno Sho and Takarazuka Kinen.
• Koichi said he would ride Epiphaneia in the Yayoi Sho and would get used to him after he returned to the Training Center.
• Megumi Mitsumori urged Koichi to get into form for the new season, and he said he had resumed training.
• Saki Ikegami arrived, confirmed she had recorded Koichi's work requests, and sat with Megumi Mitsumori while Koichi played on his phone.

Koichi Sasaki struggled through the morning’s dirt races before taking the lead aboard Takezono Power in the two-thousand-meter Fukujusō Special. He held off Yuichi Fukunaga’s late charge by a neck, earning the horse enough prize money to enter graded stakes races.

• Koichi Sasaki greeted the other jockeys at Kyoto Racecourse after the New Year break and prepared for a demanding day of racing.
• Koichi went winless in the morning’s dirt races but earned several top-five finishes while working through his weakness on dirt.
• Koichi rode Takezono Power from the front in the Fukujusō Special and opened a substantial lead.
• Yuichi Fukunaga and the chasing pack closed the gap in the final stretch as Koichi urged Takezono Power to keep going.
• Takezono Power held on to win by a neck, giving Koichi a successful breakaway and earning enough prize money to enter graded stakes races.

Koichi Sasaki won his first race of the day aboard Takezono Power, then rode seven-year-old Triumphal March to second in the Kyoto Kimpai behind Li Muhua and Noda Mighty Shark. Triumphal March held on to finish ahead of Yutaka Take’s Whisky, and Koichi hoped his mount could retire safely.

• Koichi Sasaki led from stall one aboard Takezono Power and held off the field to claim his first win of the day.
• Koichi explained in an interview that he had chosen the front-running tactic to suit Takezono Power’s quick acceleration.
• In the Kyoto Kimpai, Koichi drove Triumphal March forward and challenged Li Muhua’s Noda Mighty Shark in the final stretch.
• Koichi stopped using the whip as Triumphal March tired, and Noda Mighty Shark won with Triumphal March second and Yutaka Take’s Whisky third.
• Koichi congratulated Li Muhua after the race and hoped Triumphal March could retire safely.

Koichi reviewed his front-running ride from the previous day while Saki kept his diet on track and promised him a feast after the races. The next day, Koichi won two dirt races, and he noticed that Yuichi Fukunaga was experimenting with a new riding position as the commentators wondered whether Koichi could claim another consecutive title.

• Koichi reviewed his two-thousand-meter race and accepted Saki's healthy dinner instead of asking for a tastier meal.
• Saki promised to treat Koichi to something good the following evening if he stuck to his diet through the weekend.
• Koichi set himself a target of at least two wins for the next day and finished his race review before eating dinner with Saki.
• Koichi won two dirt races the next day, and Ryuji Wada praised his progress and strong positioning.
• Koichi asked Yuichi Fukunaga about his inconsistent results, and Fukunaga explained that he was experimenting with a riding position taught by an instructor.
• The commentators discussed whether Koichi could secure another consecutive title as Ryuji Wada prepared for the Shinsan Memorial.

Koichi Sasaki used an aggressive early tactic in the Shinsan Memorial to pressure favorite Eishin Top and finished fourth. After the race, Mirai and Megumi Mitsumori planned to visit Xiaoman and Gold Ship at the Training Ranch.

• Mirai and Haruki Kuchiki watched the Shinsan Memorial with Megumi Mitsumori and the ranch employees.
• Megumi Mitsumori predicted that Koichi's mount was unlikely to win against the favored Eishin Top.
• Koichi Sasaki broke quickly from Gate Six and battled Eishin Top for the lead, disrupting the favorite's planned race.
• Eishin Top won, while Koichi finished fourth after Kenichi Ikezoe and Ryuji Wada passed him in the final stretch.
• Mirai and Megumi Mitsumori arranged to visit Xiaoman and Gold Ship at the Training Ranch.

Koichi visited Aoe Ranch’s training grounds and reviewed Man o' War’s progress with Megumi Mitsumori, while a fan recognized him after the races. Megumi then examined two other horses at the ranch and learned that one had a minor hoof injury and the other was timid.

• Megumi showed Koichi a video of Man o' War, and they discussed his gait, muscle development, training plan, and possible stable entry in April or May.
• Koichi met a university student at a café, signed photographs of Golden Masterpiece and Gold Ship, and the student posted about their encounter online.
• Megumi visited Man o' War at Aoe Ranch, praised his training, and gave him a carrot as a first-meeting gift.
• Ayumu Kusakawa led Megumi to inspect two other horses and explained that one lacked power on uphill gallops while the other was easily startled.
• Megumi learned that number seven had a minor hoof injury that would delay his debut, and she updated her records.

In February, Koichi resumed training with Epiphaneia as they prepared for the Yayoi Sho, while Gold Ship returned to training for the Hanshin Daishoten. After bathing Epiphaneia, Koichi checked on Gold Ship, who tried to intimidate him.

• Koichi trained Epiphaneia at Ritto as the horse prepared for the Yayoi Sho and gradually increased his workload.
• Koichi washed Epiphaneia, who drank from the hose, watched a neighboring mare, and splashed water over him.
• Kuga Kai led Epiphaneia back to his stall as Mirai returned with Gold Ship from heavier training for the Hanshin Daishoten.
• Koichi approached Gold Ship, who pinned his ears back and tried to intimidate him.

Koichi Sasaki trained Gentildonna as she prepared for her first overseas race in Dubai, then joined Gold Ship for a workout gallop. Gold Ship lost to One-Way Passage after slacking off and threw a tantrum at the Training Center before Koichi and the others managed to take him back.

• Koichi assessed Gentildonna's condition with Tadashi Ishisaka and said she still had room to improve before Dubai.
• Tadashi Ishisaka told Omura Shinki to take Gentildonna back to rest and keep the stable focused during preparations.
• Koichi met Gold Ship and rode him in a workout gallop against One-Way Passage while Yuichi Fukunaga asked about Gentildonna's Dubai plans.
• Gold Ship lost to One-Way Passage after he slacked off, then threw a tantrum at the Training Center.
• Koichi, Megumi Mitsumori, Mirai, and Yamana Takuto worked together to lead Gold Ship back.

After Gold Ship threw a tantrum and Koichi Sasaki fell during training, his colleagues took him to the hospital despite his insistence that he was fine. Koichi was cleared as healthy and headed back toward Tokyo, while Gold Ship remained sulky but was expected to resume training for his upcoming races.

• Gold Ship threw a tantrum after losing a training gallop, and Koichi Sasaki fell but said he was unharmed.
• Yuichi Fukunaga, Megumi Mitsumori, and Saki Ikegami checked on Koichi while Mirai and Yamana Takuto led Gold Ship back to the Stable.
• Everyone took Koichi to the hospital, where the doctor found him healthy.
• On the way to the station, Saki told Koichi that reports and online discussion blamed Gold Ship’s tantrum on various causes, including alleged abuse.
• Koichi told Saki to have the Stable staff coax Gold Ship and keep his training on track for the Hanshin Daishoten, Spring Tenno Sho, and Takarazuka Kinen.

After losing a workout gallop, Gold Ship sulked and refused most of her food, so Mirai and Megumi Mitsumori coaxed her with pasture grass and adjusted her training plans. The chapter leaves Gold Ship eating a little and Koichi traveling back to Tokyo, while Epiphaneia prepares for the Yayoi Sho.

• Mirai tried to coax the sulking Gold Ship to eat, but Gold Ship had eaten only two carrots since returning to the stable.
• Megumi Mitsumori arranged for Yamana Takuto to bring pasture grass, which Gold Ship and Epiphaneia shared.
• Megumi Mitsumori kept Gold Ship's morning training but planned to ease off in the afternoon and revise her schedule.
• Megumi Mitsumori encouraged Epiphaneia to keep training for the Yayoi Sho and promised extra treats if she won.
• Mirai reported Gold Ship's appetite to the group chat, and Koichi replied from the Shinkansen that he was returning to Tokyo.

Koichi prepared to ride Epiphaneia in the Yayoi Sho, where a top-two finish would be important for the colt’s Satsuki Sho prospects. After the horses were introduced and Epiphaneia entered the Parade Ring, Koichi mounted as the crowd cheered.

• Koichi, Ryuji Wada, and Yutaka Take discussed Epiphaneia’s strengths, weaknesses, and unfavorable draw while preparing for the race.
• Koichi said he and the team needed Epiphaneia to finish in the top two in the Yayoi Sho.
• Commentators introduced Epiphaneia, Password, and Deep Bond, noting that Epiphaneia would face a new challenge under Koichi.
• Megumi Mitsumori told Koichi that Epiphaneia seemed too excited, and Koichi promised to watch him closely during the race.
• Epiphaneia greeted Koichi in the Parade Ring, then Koichi mounted and headed toward the track as spectators cheered.

Koichi Sasaki rode Epiphaneia in the Yayoi Sho, guiding the favorite to a decisive victory and a place in the Satsuki Sho. The chapter ended with the other horses battling for second as Epiphaneia pulled clear.

• Koichi Sasaki calmed the excited Epiphaneia before the race, and Kuga Kai offered the horse encouragement as the field loaded.
• Epiphaneia broke well, while Keita Tosaki and Satomi Neptune accelerated to take the lead; Koichi settled Epiphaneia near the front.
• Hiroyuki Uchida advanced Kaminogahara on the third turn, prompting Koichi and Yutaka Take to move their horses forward.
• Koichi urged Epiphaneia into the final straight, and the horse pulled away from the field as Deep Bond charged up the inside.
• Epiphaneia won emphatically and secured direct entry into the Satsuki Sho.

Koichi Sasaki rode Epiphaneia to victory in the Yayoi Sho, earning the horse a place in the Satsuki Sho and celebrating his first win in the race. After the interview and awards, Epiphaneia’s affection left Koichi touched, and he planned to visit Gold Ship at the Training Center the next day.

• Koichi guided Epiphaneia to win the Yayoi Sho, while Ryuji Wada and Yamada Tiger finished second and qualified for the Satsuki Sho.
• Koichi praised Epiphaneia’s performance and discussed the horse’s stamina and poor stall draw with Kuga Kai and Megumi Mitsumori.
• Koichi told the interviewer that Epiphaneia had responded well and that he had waited to accelerate because he trusted the horse’s finishing kick.
• Epiphaneia nuzzled Koichi during the award photos, and Koichi admitted to Megumi Mitsumori that the horse’s affection had touched him.
• Koichi planned to visit Gold Ship at the Training Center the next day.

After the Tokyo races, Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori discussed Gold Ship’s preparation for the Hanshin Daishoten and the stable’s plans for the Satsuki Sho and Dubai. They left dinner looking ahead to their next training sessions, with Gentildonna and Gold Ship likely to meet in the Takarazuka Kinen.

• Koichi asked Megumi Mitsumori about the horses after the race, and she said their spirits were good despite some fatigue and they could soon resume training.
• Koichi and Megumi discussed their decision not to take Gold Ship to Dubai and noted that Gentildonna and Gold Ship would likely face each other in the Takarazuka Kinen.
• Koichi said Gold Ship would follow her usual schedule, with a workout gallop the next week and the Hanshin Daishoten the week after.
• Megumi reported that Gold Ship’s condition and physical development were good, while Koichi warned that Epiphaneia needed more strength but should not be overtrained.
• Megumi told Koichi that Man o' War was doing well and would join her stable in April, and they toasted the colt’s prospects.