Chapter Summaries

Epiphaneia was officially registered at Hokkai Ranch while Koichi reviewed Gold Ship’s upcoming race field in Sapporo. Gold Ship played with a towel after his bath, and Koichi planned to visit Golden Masterpiece after the Autumn Eishō.

• Officials completed Epiphaneia’s registration at Hokkai Ranch, giving him an official name and pedigree record.
• Kuga Kai and Yamana Takuto led Epiphaneia back to the stable, and Yamana asked about watching Jockey Sasaki race.
• Koichi reviewed the eight confirmed runners for Gold Ship’s upcoming race and identified Victory Tucks as a horse to watch.
• Gold Ship grabbed the drying towel and whipped it around until Koichi retrieved it.
• Koichi took Gold Ship back to the stable to rest and planned to visit Golden Masterpiece after the Autumn Eishō.

Ayumu Kusakawa and Megumi Mitsumori watched Gold Ship prepare for the race at Sapporo, where his restless behavior worried the spectators and commentators. Koichi saw the problem from the waiting room as the jockeys prepared to head out, while his rivals began to think they had a chance.

• Ayumu Kusakawa and Megumi Mitsumori met at Sapporo Racecourse, where Megumi introduced Yamana Takuto.
• The commentators identified Gold Ship as the favorite, with Victory Tucks as the second favorite.
• Gold Ship grew restless in the Parade Ring, and Miku Kuchiki tried to calm him while Megumi worried about his condition.
• The commentators debated Gold Ship's chances, while Koichi watched from the waiting room and could not go help Mirai.
• Koichi's rival jockeys took heart from Gold Ship's behavior as the jockeys prepared to leave for the race.

Gold Ship remained unusually excited before the Autumn Eishō, and Koichi struggled to keep it calm through the warm-up and entry into the starting gate. The race was about to begin, with Gold Ship still bobbing its head as the horses waited for the gates to open.

• Koichi used his calming skill to settle Gold Ship slightly and reassured Miku Kuchiki that its excitement was manageable.
• Gold Ship bounced around during the procession and warm-up, while Megumi Mitsumori, Ayumu Kusakawa, and Miku Kuchiki worried about its behavior.
• Gold Ship resisted its handler and kicked as staff tried to load it, but they eventually got it into gate four.
• Koichi patted Gold Ship's neck as it continued bobbing its head inside the gate, while the commentators discussed the other favorites.
• The final introductions for the 1,800-meter Autumn Eishō concluded, and the horses stirred in the gates as the starting music played.

Gold Ship broke late in his second race but steadily caught up while Koichi Sasaki conserved his stamina and positioned him for a final sprint. As they reached the final turn, Gold Ship accelerated outside to chase Victory Tucks, leaving the race unresolved.

• Gold Ship lagged behind the other seven horses at the start, while Victory Tucks surged into second and Hiding took the lead.
• Koichi Sasaki let Gold Ship settle and make up ground gradually, and Gold Ship moved into the middle of the pack without being pushed or whipped.
• Gold Ship overtook the gray horse in third and advanced to fourth as Koichi moved him away from the crowded inside rail.
• Megumi Mitsumori and Ayumu Kusakawa relaxed when Gold Ship reached fourth, while Yamana Takuto admired Koichi's pacing.
• Victory Tucks began overtaking the tiring leader on the final turn, and Koichi accelerated Gold Ship on the outside to pursue him.

Koichi and Gold Ship won the race with a powerful closing charge, finishing more than a length ahead of Victory Tucks and Cosmic Wild. After the post-race procedures, Koichi reunited with Miku Kuchiki and waited for Megumi Mitsumori, Ayumu Kusakawa, and Yamana Takuto to join them.

• Gold Ship charged from near the back to first place without Koichi using his whip, while Victory Tucks and Cosmic Wild finished second and third.
• Koichi led Gold Ship through the post-race procedures and headed toward the rest area to find Mirai.
• Megumi Mitsumori invited Ayumu Kusakawa and Yamana Takuto to join a photo with Gold Ship after the drug test.
• Miku Kuchiki scolded Gold Ship for losing focus at the starting gate, but Gold Ship ignored her before nuzzling her.
• Koichi noted that Gold Ship's win secured sixteen million and said he could repay more than half of the thirty million borrowed from Epiphaneia.
• Megumi Mitsumori, Ayumu Kusakawa, and Yamana Takuto arrived at the rest area.

After Gold Ship won, Koichi Sasaki and Mitsumori Stable prepared for his first graded stakes race, the Sapporo Two-Year-Old Stakes. The chapter ended with Koichi finishing his interview and heading to meet Megumi Mitsumori and the others while Gold Ship returned to the stable.

• Yamana Takuto introduced himself to Koichi and asked for his autograph, and Koichi agreed to a photo with the group.
• Gold Ship was cooled down and put on the horse walker while Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori discussed the upcoming Sapporo Two-Year-Old Stakes and the stable's finances.
• Koichi planned to leave Gold Ship's training to Yamana Takuto and fly to Osaka after Golden Masterpiece's race on the twenty-fifth.
• Koichi told an interviewer that Gold Ship's slow start reflected his usual habits and said he hoped Gold Ship would win his first graded stakes race.
• Koichi finished the interview, changed, and contacted the others at a nearby restaurant while Mirai took Gold Ship back to the stable.

Koichi met Megumi Mitsumori, Ayumu Kusakawa, and Miku Kuchiki for dinner before arranging his trip to prepare Golden Masterpiece for the Kobe Shimbun Hai. He planned to return to the ranch the next day and head to Hanshin Racecourse in three days, where Triumph Ballet awaited as a major rival.

• Koichi discussed Golden Masterpiece's summer weight gain and uncertain condition with Ayumu Kusakawa over dinner.
• Megumi Mitsumori said Koichi would be the favorite for the Kobe Shimbun Hai, and Ayumu regretted that he could not attend the race.
• Miku Kuchiki joined the group after returning Gold Ship to the stable and shared dinner with them.
• Assistant told Koichi to leave for Hanshin Racecourse in three days and said she had booked his flight.
• Koichi arranged to visit Epiphaneia at Hokkai Ranch and received a message from Tetsuya Futawatari offering him a trial ride on Japan Jordan.
• Yosuke sent Koichi photos of Golden Masterpiece and said he and Asho were waiting for him at the ranch.

Koichi checked Epiphaneia’s condition at Hokkai Ranch and took him for a walk before meeting Tetsuya Futawatari to test-ride Japan Jordan. Japan Jordan showed strong form and a powerful late acceleration, giving Futawatari hope for a Grade 1 win in the Autumn Tenno Sho.

• Koichi inspected Epiphaneia and heard from Megumi Mitsumori that the horse was gaining muscle and progressing well in training.
• Koichi took Epiphaneia for a walk around the ranch before afternoon training.
• Tetsuya Futawatari asked Koichi to test-ride Japan Jordan as the horse resumed training after his Sapporo Kinen victory.
• Koichi rode Japan Jordan for 2,400 meters, helping him accelerate with the whip during the run.
• Japan Jordan finished with a strong burst, and Futawatari considered that they could contend for a Grade 1 win that year.

Koichi traveled to Osaka to prepare for Golden Masterpiece’s Kobe Shimbun Hai and reunited with Hitachi Yosuke. He planned to visit Golden Masterpiece for training the next morning before returning to Sapporo after the race.

• Koichi left for Osaka after Megumi Mitsumori wished him luck in the Kobe Shimbun Hai.
• Hitachi Yosuke met Koichi at the airport and drove him to their familiar ramen shop.
• Koichi told Hitachi Yosuke that he would return to Sapporo after the race to prepare for Gold Ship’s next start.
• Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke discussed Golden Masterpiece’s training and weight loss while they waited for their noodles.
• The shop owner wished Koichi luck and joked that he might someday advertise the shop as a regular stop for a Triple Crown-winning jockey.

Koichi reunited with Golden Masterpiece after several months apart and took it out for training ahead of the Kobe Shimbun Hai. Ayano Aoe prepared for the race and warned Koichi to watch Triumph Ballet and Jacques Brothers.

• Koichi visited Golden Masterpiece at the stable, where Hitachi Yosuke was grooming it.
• Golden Masterpiece recognized Koichi and demanded carrots, so he fed it half a carrot before training.
• Koichi saddled Golden Masterpiece and rode with it to the training grounds, noting its firmer legs and increased weight.
• Fujitani Kotomi told Ayano Aoe that Koichi had reunited with Golden Masterpiece and begun training with it.
• Ayano Aoe discussed Golden Masterpiece's preparation for the Kobe Shimbun Hai and told Koichi to watch Triumph Ballet and Jacques Brothers.

Koichi trained Golden Masterpiece as the pair drew attention while preparing for the Kikuka Sho, and observers discussed Nakayama Festa’s poor form ahead of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The chapter ended with Hitachi Yosuke joking that Golden Masterpiece might go abroad, while Koichi warned him to watch out for the restless horse.

• Observers noted Nakayama Festa’s last-place trial run and doubted the horse’s chances at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
• Koichi trained Golden Masterpiece, whose stronger condition and improved stamina supported their preparation for the 3,000-meter Kikuka Sho.
• Golden Masterpiece and Triumph Ballet trained alongside each other, with Triumph Ballet’s rider trying to keep up.
• Koichi met the young fan who had come alone to watch training and told him to go straight home and come with his parents next time.
• Hitachi Yosuke took Golden Masterpiece’s reins and asked Koichi about Nakayama Festa, and Koichi said the horse’s poor condition made success unlikely.
• Hitachi Yosuke joked that Golden Masterpiece might go abroad for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and Koichi warned him that Golden Masterpiece might kick him.

Ayano Aoe and Koichi Sasaki discussed Golden Masterpiece’s promising form and the challenges awaiting him in the Kobe Shimbun Hai. After reviewing the rival horses and jockeys, they shared dinner in Osaka, with Ayano planning to tell Koichi about an interview after the race.

• Ayano Aoe visited Golden Masterpiece at the stable and cautioned Hitachi Yosuke and Koichi Sasaki not to take the horse’s strong recent figures for granted.
• Ayano invited Koichi to dinner at Haidilao, and Golden Masterpiece was left behind with Hitachi Yosuke.
• In Osaka, Koichi told Ayano that Golden Masterpiece should win the Kobe Shimbun Hai if all went well, though the Kikuka Sho would be tougher.
• Ayano explained that Golden Masterpiece had drawn gate six between Yutaka Take and Ryuji Wada, and Koichi planned to study Shonan Mighty and Carmine.
• Ayano and Koichi began their hot-pot dinner, while Ayano decided to tell him about his scheduled interview after the race.

Koichi Sasaki spent the day before the Kikuka Sho prep race with Yosuke, Ryuji Wada, and Kenichi Ikezoe, discussing Golden Masterpiece and Koichi’s upcoming rides. The chapter ended with Koichi asking Ikezoe to go easy on him at the Sapporo Nisai Stakes, where Gold Ship would make his graded-stakes debut.

• Yosuke watched a commentator rank Golden Masterpiece first for the Kikuka Sho prep race, while Koichi dismissed the value of commentary.
• Koichi ran into Ryuji Wada, learned that Ikezoe had not arrived yet, and left Yosuke to have lunch with Wada.
• Koichi and Wada met Ikezoe at a ramen shop, where Koichi confirmed he had secured a ride in the Autumn Tenno Sho.
• Wada warned Koichi that the Autumn Tenno Sho field was strong, and Ikezoe noted that Wada’s horse would start beside Golden Masterpiece in the upcoming race.
• Ikezoe looked forward to seeing Gold Ship’s ability, and Koichi asked him to go easy on him at the Sapporo Nisai Stakes.

Koichi prepared for the Kobe Shimbun Hai while Hitachi Yosuke got Golden Masterpiece ready to leave the stable. The eleven horses entered the Parade Ring as spectators waited to see Golden Masterpiece.

• Kenichi Ikezoe helped Koichi put on his protective gear and advised him to find an assistant as his career developed.
• Koichi and Ryuji Wada prepared for the Kobe Shimbun Hai, which offered a qualifying place for the Kikuka Sho.
• Hitachi Yosuke woke Golden Masterpiece, brushed its coat, checked its equipment, and confirmed that it was in good condition.
• Golden Masterpiece left the stable with Triumph Ballet and the other horses heading for the racecourse.
• A staff member called the horses into the Parade Ring, where Golden Masterpiece's young fan and his father waited.
• The eleven runners emerged into the Parade Ring as commentators introduced them.

The commentators and spectators anticipated a showdown between Golden Masterpiece and his challengers in the race, while Megumi Mitsumori and Miku Kuchiki watched from Sapporo. The jockeys mounted and the horses prepared to head onto the track, leaving the race about to begin.

• The commentators introduced Golden Masterpiece as the favorite, with Triumph Ballet, Jacques Brothers, and Shonan Mighty among the leading challengers.
• Golden Masterpiece settled in the Parade Ring, and Hitachi Yosuke relaxed when the horse remained calm despite the crowd.
• A boy and his father discussed Golden Masterpiece's chances, while the father dismissed the other horses as unlikely to win.
• Megumi Mitsumori watched the broadcast with Miku Kuchiki after checking Gold Ship and finding him in good condition for next week's race.
• Miku spotted Koichi Sasaki among the jockeys and cheered him on as the jockeys mounted and prepared to head onto the track.

Koichi and Golden Masterpiece prepared for the Kobe Shimbun Hai, a trial for the Kikuka Sho, amid spectators’ hopes that they would claim the Triple Crown. The gates opened and the race began.

• Koichi reassured Hitachi Yosuke before joining Golden Masterpiece as the procession set off.
• Koichi spotted a young fan in the passageway, then warmed Golden Masterpiece up on the track as the crowd cheered.
• Ayano Aoe confirmed that arrangements for the Kikuka Sho in Kyoto were ready and decided to tell Koichi about an official interview after the race.
• Golden Masterpiece and the other horses entered the starting gates, with Shonan Mighty restless beside him.
• Koichi patted Golden Masterpiece’s neck, and the 56th Kobe Shimbun Hai began.

Golden Masterpiece settled into a strong position while Clever Robin led, but Triumph Ballet tracked closely behind and Shonan Mighty and Carmine were trapped at the start. As the field approached the final turn, the spectators expected Golden Masterpiece to surge, though Ayano Aoe remained wary of Triumph Ballet.

• Golden Masterpiece got away well and settled into fifth, while Triumph Ballet cut across and boxed in Shonan Mighty and Carmine.
• Clever Robin took the lead and opened a four-length gap as Golden Masterpiece held position and Triumph Ballet followed behind.
• Carmine stayed at the rear, while Yutaka Take began urging Shonan Mighty to accelerate.
• As the field approached the final turn, the horses behind closed on Clever Robin and several jockeys used their whips to gain ground.
• The spectators cheered for Golden Masterpiece and Triumph Ballet, while Ayano Aoe hoped Golden Masterpiece would pull away on the straight.

Koichi and Golden Masterpiece won the race with a powerful final sprint, defeating Triumph Ballet by two lengths and securing a place in the Kikuka Sho. Afterward, Koichi learned he would need to delay his return to Sapporo for a pre-race interview.

• Koichi urged Golden Masterpiece forward around the bend, and the horse caught the leaders as Triumph Ballet drew alongside.
• Golden Masterpiece unleashed a powerful final kick, pulled ahead, and crossed the finish line first, with Triumph Ballet second and Jacques Brothers third.
• Koichi spoke with Ryuji Wada, who accepted the result and noted that Shonan Mighty had finished fifth and qualified for the Kikuka Sho.
• Koichi reunited with Hitachi Yosuke and learned that a pre-race interview would delay his planned flight back to Sapporo by a day.

After Golden Masterpiece won the Kobe Shimbun Hai, Koichi Sasaki celebrated with the horse and prepared for an important interview before the Kikuka Sho. Back at the hotel, he caught up on his other horses’ training and watched commentators discuss his undefeated first year as Golden Masterpiece’s Triple Crown bid approached.

• Koichi Sasaki and Hitachi Yosuke gave Golden Masterpiece an expensive victory feast after the race.
• Koichi learned he had to remain in Kyoto for a team interview with Ayano Aoe and Trainer Kudo, then returned to his hotel.
• Fujitani Kotomi coached Koichi on the interview and arranged an extravagant bento for his dinner.
• Koichi told Mirai he would return to Sapporo a day late and discussed Gold Ship’s training with her.
• Koichi heard from Megumi Mitsumori that Epiphaneia was progressing quickly but was hard to control in a pack.
• Koichi watched a racing program praise his seven wins from seven starts and focus on Golden Masterpiece’s upcoming Kikuka Sho.

Koichi, Ayano Aoe, and Keigo Kudo took part in an official interview about Golden Masterpiece’s bid for the Triple Crown. They expressed confidence in the horse’s preparations for the Kikuka Sho, while Koichi credited Golden Masterpiece and the Aoe camp for his success and reaffirmed their goal.

• Koichi arrived at the interview and joined Ayano Aoe, while Keigo Kudo rested nearby.
• Fujitani Kotomi told Ayano that the interview setup was ready, and the host began by asking Ayano about the pressure of pursuing the Triple Crown.
• Ayano thanked supporters and said the camp would give its best in the upcoming Kikuka Sho.
• Keigo said Golden Masterpiece had shown promising adaptation to the three-thousand-meter distance and was in better condition after resting.
• Koichi thanked Golden Masterpiece and the camp for helping him reach this stage, then said their goal was to challenge for the Triple Crown.