Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 337 The Grassland Swaying in the Mountain Breeze

"Welcome home, Mum-chan~"

"That's disgusting!"

"Well then, please take care of me in the future too?"

"Isn't that being too polite?"

He glanced at the two people performing manzai in the corner of the stable, then continued with the cleanup work.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Dazzling Action and the currently unnamed Dazzling Action 2028 will arrive in Hokkaido this afternoon.

We arrived at the ranch around 6 p.m.

The preparation of special stables for mares and foals began several days ago, but the actual progress has not been very smooth.

Just like when I first became a horse owner, I didn't know anyone. I had to figure things out on my own, whether it was auctions or breeding.

To be precise, although he had guidance from seniors like Mr. Ogawa and Mr. Kimura, he had neither partners who were also newly minted horse owners in the same situation, nor the accumulated experience of other breeders who had passed down horse racing as a family business.

Therefore, it is impossible to determine whether the current situation is the norm or an exception.

The stables, which should have been prepared yesterday, were only barely completed and installed thanks to the combined efforts of the members.

"call--"

Together with Asayama, they swept away the large amount of dust generated during the renovation process, and he couldn't help but let out a sigh.

"It really wasn't easy, but we finally finished it."

Adjusting his baseball cap, Asayama also caught his breath.

"Thank you for your hard work. Leave the rest to me."

"No, I couldn't possibly accept that from you, President—"

"Alright, go and get some rest."

The noise gradually faded away, and he was alone in the stable, where melodious classical music played, as he carried out the final cleanup work.

Although it's not very noticeable to the naked eye, the hay and wood chips used as bedding actually accumulate a lot of dust, and living in such an environment for a long time could potentially cause respiratory problems.

—Especially for some active horses.

It took another twenty minutes or so to finally finish cleaning up the last bit of dust.

He wiped the sweat from his chin while looking at the stables with a satisfied gaze.

This accommodation, which was too spacious for a single racehorse, will become somewhat cramped from today onwards.

What kind of expression should I wear to welcome the upcoming new family member?

I'm somewhat looking forward to it.

However, there was still work to be done that morning.

The three trainers, Wada, Yoshida, and Machi, will visit the ranch together.

In addition to assessing the progress of the training through the Sakamichi training session, which will begin later, there are various preparations to be discussed before entering the stable.

Furthermore, a reply also came from the retired Yahagi-shi—

"I'm very sorry, but I received requests for palletizing from several other horse owners and trainers I know quite some time ago."

It's a somewhat unfortunate result.

However, I learned from Yahagi that the expenses of such a ranch, which has about ten regular stables and a few treadmills, are not very high.

The construction cost will likely be within 20 million yen.

Although if Meguro Trading were to handle it, the numbers would most likely be different.

They are somewhat aware of this.

Despite this, after discussions with the company members, a decision was made to open a new small ranch between Sapporo and Hakodate. Strictly speaking, it was a temporary site for recuperation.

"After becoming a central horse owner, the transport between Honshu and Hokkaido will likely become more frequent. If the horses can rest and recuperate closer to those two racetracks, it will be a little easier for them."

In addition, even in situations where you don't really need to use it yourself, you can rent it to familiar horse owners or trainers.

In recent years, both well-equipped breeding ranches and simple temporary transit ranches have been in short supply at the central level.

This reasoning convinced everyone.

Although, in the end, Lavida limited the cost to within 50 million yen.

With a touch of regret, they were greeted by a visit from three horse trainers later that morning.

"Hojo-kun's momentum is just as strong as last time, but he still needs to work on his glutes."

"Has Huiwan gotten fatter again? He's just like his father in that respect."

At the starting point of the back mountain slope, trainers Wada and Yoshida stand side by side, occasionally offering a comment or two from their perspective as trainers.

For breeding ranches, this is a typical scene at the beginning of the year.

However, for those who have no connections or relatives in Hokkaido and are from other industries, such a scene cannot help but evoke a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex feeling of mixed emotions, including regret and reflection).

After the training session, I had further in-depth discussions with the two trainers.

Mejiro Takatsu will still debut in Sapporo as originally planned, while Mejiro Shoki's competition will not start until the expected autumn or even later.

After their respective talks concluded, the two sides went to the outdoor grazing area.

The sky was clear and the weather was fine.

Hokkaido is about to enter its most pleasant season of the year.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's nothing, I've been keeping an eye on that child too."

The trainer shook his head slightly, his gaze always following the inconspicuous figure of the horse with the ruff.

A short neighing came from among the horses, and the newly retired Reed Horse took the lead.

Another horse, which had been focused on harvesting grass, raised its head.

The wind blowing from the mountains flowed towards the grazing land, gently caressing the grass and creating striped waves. Then it swept past the black and gray figures racing, causing their manes and tails to sway, before they left the pasture and headed into the distance.

Although obedient and well-behaved, they also inherited a strong competitive spirit from the deepest part of their bloodline.

Compared to running alone, it performs better when competing with other horses of the same age. Once it sets its sights on a target, it will challenge it again and again, even if the target is not its opponent.

Such a horse—

The tranquility, where only the sounds of hooves and wind echoed in the ears, was shattered in the next second.

"That child's fighting instinct is really impressive."

As if recalling something, the trainer's tone became somewhat sentimental.

"yes--"

He nodded, his gaze falling on the two increasingly smaller outlines on the grazing land.

At that moment, Dober raised his head and let out a stern-sounding hiss.

The competition ended at this moment.

Back beside Dober, the lighter-colored Reed Horse was still keeping its ears slightly lowered, staring at its opponent.

"I'll let it slide this time, but I'll definitely win next time!"

After letting out a somewhat defiant hum, Megumi no Shiki lowered her head again and began a new round of weeding.

(End of this chapter)