Chapter Summaries

Koichi Sasaki named Triumph Ballet, Swiss Watch, and Shonan Mighty as the Kikuka Sho opponents to watch, while Ayano Aoe confirmed that she hoped to campaign Golden Masterpiece overseas at four. After the interview, Ayano told Koichi he would be expected to ride abroad, but he admitted he would rather take Gold Ship to Dubai, leaving their overseas plans unsettled as he prepared for Gold Ship’s next race.

• Koichi named Triumph Ballet, Swiss Watch, and Shonan Mighty as the strongest Kikuka Sho rivals to watch.
• Ayano said Golden Masterpiece might attempt an overseas campaign at four, depending on the circumstances.
• After the interview, Koichi told Ayano he thought Dubai sounded more appealing than the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
• Ayano reminded Koichi that he was Golden Masterpiece's regular jockey and told him to prepare for a possible overseas campaign.
• Koichi left to pack for Gold Ship's race, while Ayano stayed behind to finish her work before taking Golden Masterpiece to Kyoto.

Koichi returned to Sapporo to assess Gold Ship’s condition and prepare him for an upcoming two-year-old stakes race. After training Gold Ship and discussing his progress with Yamana Takuto, Koichi left Takuto in charge of Epiphaneia while he returned to race preparations.

• Koichi visited Gold Ship’s stable, thanked Yamana Takuto for his work, and took over Gold Ship’s training for the next two days.
• Koichi felt that Gold Ship was in good condition and adjusted his riding strategy to have the horse start from the rear and close in.
• Koichi discussed Gold Ship’s condition with Yamana Takuto and confirmed that the horse’s training had gone well.
• Yamana Takuto prepared to return to the ranch, and Koichi asked him to care for Epiphaneia for the next few days.

Megumi Mitsumori met Koichi in Sapporo to check on Gold Ship before an important graded stakes race, while they discussed Epiphaneia and the race’s likely favorite. Koichi also shared that Golden Masterpiece was handling training well, but insisted he would be heavily favored in his next race and would not be upset.

• Megumi Mitsumori traveled to Sapporo, where Koichi reported that Gold Ship was in good form and due for a physical examination.
• Megumi Mitsumori said Epiphaneia was training well and had no physical problems, and Koichi told her to address any issues early.
• At a café, Megumi Mitsumori said Gold Ship would likely be the second favorite behind Grand Colt, an Agnes Tachyon offspring.
• Koichi told Megumi Mitsumori that Golden Masterpiece was in better form and had shown some ability at three thousand meters after training in Kyoto.
• Koichi warned Megumi Mitsumori that Golden Masterpiece would be the favorite and that a major upset was unlikely.

Koichi prepared Gold Ship for the next day’s race while Megumi Mitsumori watched an interview that highlighted confidence in Golden Masterpiece’s Triple Crown chances and a possible overseas campaign. That evening, Koichi met Kenichi Ikezoe for dinner, and they discussed their horses’ preparations and the upcoming race.

• Miku Kuchiki took Gold Ship for a walk after Koichi finished their training laps.
• Megumi Mitsumori watched the official interview with Koichi, which increased interest in Golden Masterpiece and its planned Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe campaign.
• Koichi teased Megumi Mitsumori about laughing at comments that wanted him to become an actor, then threatened to dock her pay.
• Kenichi Ikezoe invited Koichi to a skewer shop in Sapporo and discussed their preparations for the next day’s race.
• Koichi told Kenichi Ikezoe that Gold Ship’s health mattered most, even if they needed to seek a Graded Stakes win in another race.

Rain left the Sapporo Racecourse in heavy going on race day, prompting Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori to assess how it might affect Gold Ship. As the weather cleared and the track began to improve, Koichi watched the early races and met Kenichi Ikezoe for lunch before the afternoon racing.

• Koichi woke to find that overnight rain had made the going heavy, and Megumi Mitsumori messaged him anxiously because Gold Ship had never raced on it before.
• Koichi reassured Megumi Mitsumori that the track would likely improve by the afternoon, then watched the course while she went to check on Gold Ship.
• A man in sunglasses lent Koichi a horse racing newspaper and offered his picks as light rain fell during the first race.
• Koichi and Kenichi Ikezoe ate lunch together and discussed how the rain might affect the afternoon races.
• Kenichi Ikezoe told Koichi he would travel to Nakayama after his rides and reminded him to take care in the wet conditions.

Koichi and Gold Ship prepared for the Sapporo Two-Year-Old Stakes as Gold Ship grew restless in the Parade Ring, leaving his team unsure whether he would break well. Gold Ship behaved better on the way to the track, and the horses headed toward the starting area.

• Kenichi Ikezoe told Koichi that the track had improved from heavy to yielding after the rain stopped.
• Gold Ship entered the Parade Ring first at five hundred kilograms, and Koichi and Kenichi Ikezoe discussed his unpredictable starts and temperament.
• Megumi Mitsumori and Ayumu Kusakawa worried that Gold Ship might break slowly but trusted his ability to close from the rear.
• Miku Kuchiki pulled Gold Ship back when he spotted Koichi, though he behaved better than before his previous race.
• Koichi stroked Gold Ship before mounting, then Gold Ship followed Kenichi Ikezoe's horse toward the track as the spectators cheered for the favorite.

Gold Ship entered gate five for the 46th Sapporo Two-Year-Old Stakes, a 1,800-meter race on a sloppy track. The field was ready to start, with Koichi hoping Gold Ship would avoid getting boxed in.

• The commentators introduced Grand Colt, Best Deal, Pink Champagne, and Gold Ship as leading contenders in the race.
• Gold Ship trotted during the warm-up as the other horses kept their distance from him.
• Koichi guided Gold Ship into gate five after the horse initially resisted the attendant.
• All thirteen horses entered the starting gates, and the 46th Sapporo Two-Year-Old Stakes was about to begin.

Koichi guided Gold Ship through the Sapporo Nisai Stakes after another slow start, waiting for an opening as the pack bunched up. Gold Ship entered the final straight boxed in, with the race still undecided.

• Gold Ship broke slowly, and Koichi settled on a late-running strategy as the field surged ahead.
• Gold Ship passed Pink Champagne and advanced into the middle of the pack while steadily closing the gap to the leaders.
• Kenichi Ikezoe pushed Pink Champagne forward around the outside, but the horse struggled to keep pace with Gold Ship.
• Grand Colt took the lead on the final turn as Gold Ship remained boxed in behind the pack.
• Megumi Mitsumori, Ayumu Kusakawa, and the crowd cheered as the horses entered the final straight, where Gold Ship still needed to break through.

Koichi and Gold Ship won their first graded stakes race after Gold Ship surged past Grand Colt in the final stretch. The victory ended Gold Ship’s campaign for the year, and Koichi prepared for next year’s races in Tokyo.

• Gold Ship charged up the inside and drew level with Grand Colt and number seven in the final two hundred meters.
• Koichi urged Gold Ship on with the whip, and Gold Ship surged ahead in the final hundred meters.
• Gold Ship crossed the finish line a length ahead of Grand Colt, with number seven in third place.
• Kenichi Ikezoe congratulated Koichi and said he was leaving for the airport to prepare for races at Nakayama Racecourse.
• Miku Kuchiki praised Gold Ship, and Koichi asked Mirai to take him for a rinse.

Gold Ship won his first graded stakes race at Sapporo, giving trainer Megumi Mitsumori her first graded stakes victory. Koichi decided Gold Ship would rest for the remainder of the year before preparing for next season’s races, while Ayano Aoe urged him to head to Kyoto early for the Kikuka Sho.

• Miku Kuchiki cooled Gold Ship down after the race and prepared to take him for his winner’s sash and photos.
• Megumi Mitsumori celebrated her first graded stakes win, and Koichi decided Gold Ship would not race again that year so he could recover and prepare for next season.
• Koichi praised Gold Ship’s strength in a post-race interview and said the sloppy track conditions had suited him, while noting Grand Colt had been disadvantaged.
• Koichi returned to Gold Ship’s stable, read congratulatory messages, and learned Ayano Aoe wanted him to travel to Kyoto early to prepare for the Kikuka Sho.
• Koichi went to the restaurant Megumi Mitsumori had chosen to celebrate, while Miku Kuchiki stayed behind to prepare Gold Ship’s dinner.

Koichi and Mirai returned Gold Ship to Hokkai Ranch, where he immediately clashed with Divine Might before settling in for lunch. Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori then agreed to end Gold Ship’s racing year and focus on training him and Epiphaneia together.

• Koichi, Mirai, and Gold Ship arrived back at Hokkai Ranch after Gold Ship’s three victories.
• Gold Ship confronted Divine Might over his lunch, while One-Way Passage greeted the returning horse from his stall.
• Miku Kuchiki brought Gold Ship his food, and he ate alongside One-Way Passage.
• Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori discussed his upcoming rides in the Kikuka Sho and Autumn Tenno Sho and Gold Ship’s remaining schedule.
• Megumi decided Gold Ship would race no more this year and would train with Epiphaneia, focusing on improving his starts.

Koichi tested Epiphaneia’s progress by having him train alongside Gold Ship, whose competitive temperament made the session difficult to manage. Epiphaneia surged ahead on the uphill straight, showing Koichi that he needed to learn to control the young horse’s speed before his racing debut.

• Koichi chose to ride Epiphaneia while Yamana Takuto rode Gold Ship, and used his calming skill to quiet their rivalry.
• Megumi Mitsumori prepared the uphill track, and Koichi offered two carrots to whichever horse performed best.
• Koichi told Yamana that Epiphaneia would train as a presser or mid-pack runner, then gave Gold Ship a ten-length head start.
• At Megumi’s signal, Epiphaneia accelerated quickly, while Gold Ship charged after him and began closing the gap.
• Epiphaneia kept accelerating as Gold Ship approached, and Koichi struggled to hold him back and recognized that he needed to adjust to the young horse’s rhythm.

Koichi tested Epiphaneia against Gold Ship and found that Epiphaneia fought the reins when another horse drew near, though his speed and strength had improved. The chapter ended with Koichi planning more training for Epiphaneia while Gold Ship rested before his upcoming races.

• Epiphaneia fought Koichi’s reins as Gold Ship closed in, disrupting his rhythm during the training run.
• Gold Ship overtook Epiphaneia and won, but Epiphaneia accelerated to top speed after Koichi urged him on with the whip.
• Koichi gave both horses carrots and identified getting Epiphaneia used to being overtaken or finding a jockey able to control him as possible solutions.
• Koichi told Megumi Mitsumori he would keep training Epiphaneia and said Gold Ship needed rest because he lacked stamina.
• Megumi Mitsumori agreed to arrange horses for Koichi to train with, while Koichi prepared to travel to Kyoto and other racecourses.

Koichi and Ayano Aoe visited Gold Ship at Hokkai Ranch before traveling to Kyoto for the Kikuka Sho, where Koichi and Golden Masterpiece would pursue the Triple Crown. Koichi prepared to leave the ranch, trusting Miku Kuchiki to look after it as the story ended before the race.

• Ayano Aoe confirmed that her request was ready to collect after the Kikuka Sho and watched Gold Ship play at Hokkai Ranch.
• Fujitani Kotomi told Koichi that his latest loan payment had cleared, and he noted that Epiphaneia now belonged entirely to their ranch.
• Ayano Aoe said Golden Masterpiece's hind legs had grown stronger after the training team followed Koichi's advice, and she reminded him that the Triple Crown depended on their performance in the Kikuka Sho.
• Koichi discussed Epiphaneia's temperament with Ayano Aoe before she told him to prepare to leave for Kyoto the next day.
• Koichi packed his clothes and riding equipment, and Miku Kuchiki helped him while he asked her to manage the ranch during his absence.

Koichi arrived in Kyoto and discussed Golden Masterpiece’s preparations for the Kikuka Sho with Hitachi Yosuke, agreeing to keep an eye on the horse as longer-distance training affected his mood. Back at the hotel, Koichi reviewed updates from the ranch and Trainer Tetsuya Futawatari, who remained confident in Japan Jordan ahead of the Autumn Tenno Sho.

• Koichi arrived in Kyoto, checked on Golden Masterpiece, and planned a brief test ride before leaving routine training to the exercise rider.
• Koichi and Hitachi Yosuke discussed Asho’s improved hind-leg muscles and increased weight after intensified training for the Kikuka Sho.
• Hitachi Yosuke told Koichi that Asho had been in a bad mood because of the increased training for the three-thousand-meter race, and Koichi agreed to keep an eye on him.
• Koichi reviewed ranch updates about new recovery equipment and Mirai secretly buying treats for Gold Ship and Epiphaneia.
• Koichi read Tetsuya Futawatari’s encouraging updates about Japan Jordan and prepared to ride him in the Autumn Tenno Sho.

Koichi visited Golden Masterpiece at the Kyoto training grounds, brought him a carrot, and asked his new exercise rider about his condition. While hiking with Ayano Aoe, Koichi discussed his upcoming Autumn Tenno Sho ride on Japan Jordan, and Ayano promised him a surprise if he won the Triple Crown.

• Koichi met Hitachi Yosuke and Golden Masterpiece after their morning workout and fed the horse a carrot.
• Koichi examined Golden Masterpiece's condition and asked his new exercise rider about his training.
• Ayano Aoe took Koichi hiking and advised him that exercise could help him find more work.
• Koichi told Ayano Aoe that he would ride Japan Jordan in the Autumn Tenno Sho, and she cautioned that the horse was not as strong as Golden Masterpiece.
• Ayano Aoe promised Koichi a surprise if he won the Triple Crown and said he would learn what it was after the Kikuka Sho.

Golden Masterpiece completed a strong workout ahead of the 3,000-meter Kikuka Sho, while Koichi and Trainer Kudo focused on stamina and managing the horse’s demanding training load. Ayano Aoe encouraged the team to pursue the Triple Crown, and Golden Masterpiece was led away for a walk after training.

• Koichi tested Golden Masterpiece’s acceleration over 1,200 meters, and the horse easily outpaced the others in excellent form.
• Ayano Aoe warned Trainer Kudo not to overtrain Golden Masterpiece as the team prepared him for the Kikuka Sho’s 3,000-meter distance.
• Ayano Aoe promised rewards if the team secured the Triple Crown and told Koichi to take the competition seriously.
• Koichi said Golden Masterpiece felt better than during his earlier trial run and expressed confidence about the race.
• Hitachi Yosuke led Golden Masterpiece away for a walk, promising him a reward afterward.

With the Kikuka Sho approaching, leading jockeys discussed how to keep Koichi Sasaki and Golden Masterpiece from winning the Triple Crown. Koichi learned of their plans and prepared to watch Katsumi Ando’s tactics as the race was about to begin.

• Yutaka Take, Katsumi Ando, Masayoshi Ubaname, and Yasuo Iwata discussed targeting Golden Masterpiece and formed a temporary alliance for the Kikuka Sho.
• Yuga Kawada declined to join the group, while the veteran jockeys agreed to give the race their best.
• Kenichi Ikezoe told Koichi Sasaki that the jockeys were plotting against Golden Masterpiece, though Koichi and Ryuji Wada had already overheard them.
• Koichi planned to watch Katsumi Ando and Triumph Ballet during the race, while Ryuji noted that he had drawn the inside gate and could get boxed in.

At Kyoto Racecourse, Koichi Sasaki prepared to ride Golden Masterpiece in the Kikuka Sho, with a Triple Crown within reach and warnings that racing veterans might try to hinder them. The horses entered the Parade Ring as Golden Masterpiece appeared in top form, leaving the outcome of the race still uncertain.

• Fujitani Kotomi warned Koichi that influential veterans did not want another Triple Crown winner and told him to race carefully.
• Kenichi Ikezoe congratulated Koichi on reaching the decisive race, while Yutaka Take challenged him to settle their rivalry on the track.
• Koichi identified Triumph Ballet and Katsumi Ando as major threats and worried about being boxed in beside them.
• Masayoshi Ubaname and Yasuo Iwata prepared to press from the front while Koichi, Take, Ando, and the other jockeys readied themselves.
• Golden Masterpiece entered the Parade Ring in excellent condition as spectators and commentators focused on its bid for the Triple Crown and the threats posed by Triumph Ballet and Yutaka Take.

Golden Masterpiece drew an enormous crowd for the Kikuka Sho, while Koichi prepared to avoid being boxed in during the long-distance race. The horses entered the gates, and the chapter ended just before the start.

• A father brought his son from Osaka to watch Golden Masterpiece race at Kyoto, where tens of thousands of fans cheered for him.
• Koichi led Golden Masterpiece away from the noisy procession and into the warm-up area as commentators discussed the leading horses.
• The analysts favored Golden Masterpiece and Triumph Ballet, while also noting the strong starts of Sun God Steed and Swiss Watch.
• Golden Masterpiece and Triumph Ballet entered gates thirteen and fourteen, and Shonan Mighty took the final gate.
• Koichi decided Golden Masterpiece would run mid-pack rather than close from behind to reduce the risk of being boxed in.