Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 380 The Trajectory of the Autumn Equinox
Since it was already mid-September, the sun had already set at 5:30 a.m.

Although there was still some light in the sky, it would soon darken, as is the case in the rural areas surrounded by mountains—this is the perfect time for grazing.

The competition for the Sankei Award concluded last week.

Victoria Mile champion Suddis and Moya gained popularity by a narrow margin, followed closely by Taketoshi's Takarazuka Memorial third-place finisher, Tobijun.

Despite showing excellent momentum in the mixed races in the first half of the year, Atalanta only ranked third in popularity compared to her past rivals in the classic races and the Group 1 level old sturdy horses.

The matches that followed became a one-man show for Ooi's visitor.

Leading at a fast pace throughout, Tufy started to exert himself at the final bend, but was unable to close the gap with the runaway horse.

In the end, Sodis showed signs of fatigue, and Tufyjun, which had started its overtaking from the back of the herd, could not catch up. The two horses that were in the lead in popularity relinquished their victory.

Despite delivering an astonishing 12.5-second escape time in the final wave, for the pursuing herd, there is no more troublesome opponent than a higher-class horse that can maintain its sprinting power after taking the lead at high speed.

Even Wu Feng, in a post-match interview, showed a seemingly helpless expression.

"It's really difficult to deal with a horse like this in Zhongshan."

For the winning side, the positive momentum Atalanta displayed in this match was more noteworthy than the victory itself.

The real goal is the Group 1 race in the fall.

With the leash draped over his shoulder, he followed Rachel Ho at a leisurely pace toward the paved road connecting the north and south ranch houses.

The road beneath my feet seemed to retain the warmth of the daytime, but it was quickly dispelled by the coolness carried by the wind.

The surroundings suddenly became quiet, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing.

Looking up, the sky was tinged with a pale crimson.

"It's time to come back—"

As usual, he called out towards the open pasture, his voice, like a lumberjack's chant, carrying far into the twilight.

At the other end of the line of sight, two familiar figures appeared soon after.

Mejiro Traveler and Yue Huang.

As if following the sound obediently, or as if some innate fighting instinct came into play, the young dark horse suddenly quickened his pace.

Even if they are repeatedly defeated by their opponents, as long as they set their sights on a particular opponent, they will do everything they can to surpass them.

Once you successfully overtake someone in a competition, you will never let them surpass you again.

Rather than standing at the front of the herd, the young black horse seemed more interested in defeating the deer-haired horse, whom he considered his rival.

Judging from the current match history, it's basically just one-sided manipulation that can't even be called a confrontation.

As the young black horse took its first steps, the older deer-haired horse followed at a leisurely pace, even deliberately keeping a distance.

Just as Yuehuang thought victory was assured and her ears perked up triumphantly—

Meguro suddenly accelerated.

Easily overtaking its younger counterparts, the deer-haired horse was the first to reach the front of the railing.

The young black horse was stunned for a moment, then showed a somewhat dejected expression, and his ears drooped down involuntarily.

But this frustration only lasted a short time. Soon, Yuehuang playfully bumped her dirty, wet head against his chest.

He patted the equally dirty neck of the young black horse and couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.

“Now we both need to take a shower—” Mejiro Traveler, still the winner, had already closed his eyes slightly and was enjoying Rachel Ho’s massage service.

After fastening the harness to the deer-haired horse, Rachel Ho, who was walking at the front of the group, did not go straight back to the stables as usual, but stopped at the weighing area.

Almost a week had passed since the last measurement, and with horse owners who were going to attend the Northern Mixed Auction soon to visit the ranch, the rider's body size was measured, and the rider's body size was also tested.

She weighs 371 kilograms, is 152 centimeters tall, and has a chest circumference of 168 centimeters, which looks somewhat disproportionate.

Before developing urticaria in early August, I weighed 359 kilograms. Later, due to decreased appetite caused by urticaria, my weight dropped to 347 kilograms.

Two weeks ago, he weighed 354 kilograms, but now he can be said to have fully recovered.

The feeling of disproportionate hips gradually disappeared, replaced by a solid physique that began to transform into a mature racehorse.

Wow, they've grown so big already!

While gazing at Yuehuang's increasingly robust forequarters, the young black horse lowered his head slightly, revealing a somewhat flustered look in his eyes.

"I'm not fat, I'm just growing up!"

—It was as if it were issuing a rebuttal.

"Well done!"

As if sensing the praise in the tone, the young dark horse swished its tail with a hint of pride as soon as it raised its wrist.

Then, seemingly reluctantly, it lowered its head slightly towards the deer-haired horse passing by.

With a humming sound that seemed to say something like, "You're no match for me today either~", Megumi Rider walked lightly towards the stables first.

"Combining left and right diagonal slope training, the focus will shift to maneuverability and momentum—"

The slight tugging sensation from my sleeve interrupted my thoughts.

"What's wrong?"

As he patted the young black horse's head, he unconsciously used a somewhat gentle tone.

After a grueling 24-hour herding session, the animals often become very clingy, and Yuehuang looks especially adorable in this state.

Because these horses are able to exercise independently while grazing, their originally doll-like, tender bodies have begun to show muscle lines, and their texture is gradually becoming more solid to the touch.

but--

More than a little regret, there was a feeling of being moved that "the child has finally grown up."

With a look that seemed somewhat aggrieved for some reason, the young black horse kept burying his head in his chest.

"Alright, alright, if we didn't win today, how about we try again tomorrow?"

I hugged her neck, which seemed to have grown a bit since last time, responding to her affection in this way.

It is said that most yearlings are a bit excited after grazing, and some foals that have a harder time coping keep yawning on the way back to the stable.

But Yuehuang would lower his head and suddenly lean towards someone he was close to, and whenever this happened, he couldn't help but want to stroke their head.

It is said that a Thoroughbred horse remains exactly the same from birth to death.

Perhaps, the differential treatment humans give them will make them different—

Thinking this, he couldn't help but pat the young black horse's head again.

(End of this chapter)