Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 262 Canada and Kentucky

Chapter 262 Canada and Kentucky
The subsequent troubles were slightly beyond expectations.

Although the purchase was paid for cleanly and efficiently, the subsequent premium payments and the transfer from a taxable state to a tax-free state were still quite time-consuming.

In addition, the trainer also needs to be replaced.

This wasn't entirely due to his own considerations.

"When a racehorse belonging to or planned to be transferred to the state racing club is sold in the form of a race auction, the original trainer shall not continue to be responsible for the racehorse."

—One of the many strange and unusual rules of the Kentucky Derby.

Considering that this is a group of guys who have even written the maximum allowed brim size of trainers' cowboy hats into the Jockey Club's guidelines, it's not surprising that such a rule exists.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that changes in the stables are a normal occurrence after a racehorse changes hands.

However, this has created a somewhat troublesome situation for Kitano.

Despite being officially registered as a horse owner for the second year, I still don't know many trainers in the United States.

Or rather, among the horse trainers I know, there isn't one I can easily entrust my racehorse to.

Regarding this matter, I had no choice but to seek help from an American horse owner I knew.

However, Jasper, where domestic horse owners' activities are limited to the West Coast, also failed to provide much assistance.

Nevertheless, he enthusiastically introduced Kitano to a horse trainer who owned a training facility in Kentucky—

Eric Reed.

On a whim, I sent an email to the other party requesting acceptance.

Upon learning that Next Good Luck would be staying in New York State as Mejiro Sakuya's companion horse, with all expenses for the stay to be borne by the owner, the trainer from Lexington readily agreed to the request to enter the stable.

The request to "arrange a more relaxed race schedule as much as possible" unsurprisingly drew nagging from the trainer.

However, this matter on the American side has finally come to an end.

Although several familiar horse owners extended invitations to attend the Keenland September auction, Kitano declined them all.

The overall goal of the ranch auction remains unchanged.

Whether it's the coolness of autumn or the sudden relief of horse owners and breeders from their busy work, most of September has passed in the blink of an eye.

When I came to my senses, it was already a few days before the Mizuho Sho.

A long-awaited reunion with Tanaka's stables.

So, this is just a hypothetical scenario—

Setting down his wine glass, Ochiai spoke in a voice barely audible from the noise of the barbecue restaurant.

"If Pegasus were a grass horse."

"Ok?"

Kitano, who was concentrating on picking out bean sprouts, looked up.

"In that case, that guy might give us a good beating."

“If it were Pegasus, he would have said something like, ‘Why didn’t you let me run through the grass earlier?’”

The three of them laughed almost simultaneously.

And so began the meeting for Mizuho's departure.

"I still feel that 1,800 meters is a little short."

The trainer pushed up his hat, which was partially obstructing his vision, and said this.

Ochiai nodded in agreement.

"This is also impossible."

Kitano swallowed the grilled meat, which was only dipped in soy sauce, in one bite, and answered vaguely.

After all, there are only a few generous rewards available from the other side.

Compared to those teams that have to count their prize money before each match, the situation for Baima is much better.

The 1800-meter distance is undoubtedly a distance that Bell Jiajun is more adept at.

But if you want to become a top-class racehorse, you must defeat your opponent fair and square at this distance.

Of course, the soldiers in the field are also quite formidable opponents.

After chewing for a while and swallowing the grilled meat in his mouth, Kitano picked up the wine glass beside him. "What are your thoughts on next year's overseas training, Ochiai-kun?"

Ochiai, who had been somewhat relaxed, instantly switched to his familiar expression.

"My plan is to try to find some opportunities in Canada first."

They didn't immediately set their sights on the top-tier stadiums in the United States, which was a very realistic choice.

"How about trying Kentucky?"

It sounds like a pretty reckless suggestion.

Of course, this suggestion wasn't made on a whim.

"I just bought a kid in the US who runs really fast. How about you ride him?"

"Eh!"

When faced with Kitano's seemingly casual question, Ochiai's gaze became frighteningly serious.

Although Tanaka looked surprised, he quickly put on a smile that was not usually seen on him.

"Feel sorry."

After a brief hesitation, the rider lowered his head with a look of shame.

"To trouble President Kitano like this is a bit too much—"

Seeing that Ochiai looked like he was about to cry, Kitano quickly waved his hand.

"Relax, relax. I'm just thinking about practical matters."

Despite being known as a Kentucky Derby trainer, Reed, who recently became involved with Kitano, is still a small-to-medium-sized trainer with limited connections and resources.

This means that he will face just as many of the challenges that small and medium-sized trainers in the United States encounter.

During their online conversation, Reed frankly revealed that he was unable to secure a consistent lead rider for the next Lucky Hour.

Although it has maintained a respectable win rate of over 15% in the past few years, only a very small number of the racehorses managed by Reed Stables are qualified to compete in graded races.

Their win rate is even more appalling.

Without sufficient rewards, it is naturally impossible to attract riders with skill and reputation.

"In that case, how about I designate the riders?"

At the time, I tried asking this question.

"No problem, as long as that guy doesn't let me get a ticket."

Reed readily agreed as well.

After a brief explanation, Ochiai's eyes widened in surprise.

"Horse racing in the United States is indeed different from that in Japan."

Tanaka picked up the conversation, saying with a sigh.

"Yes, so for those working in the horse racing industry, it's still necessary to go out and take a look occasionally."

After swallowing another piece of grilled meat, Kitano nodded in reply.

This time, I dipped it in a barbecue sauce whose name I couldn't recall.