Original subtitles

I want to win the nation's top Grade I race

and make our horse the best in Japan.

At the Arima Kinen.

Understood.

Eiji Kurisu left a major tax accounting firm

to join Royal Human President Kozo Sanno's Horse Racing Division

as his private secretary.

Win one central race within the year.

If you can't win even once,

the department will be abolished by the year's end.

Kurisu and Sanno placed their hopes on Royal Fight,

who was in good form after coming in second place,

and entrusted the challenge to a new trainer, Hiroshi Hironaka.

But the one who caught Hironaka's eye was a maiden horse the same age as Fight,

born at the Hayashida Ranch, Royal Izana.

Royal Fight and Royal Izana…

I'd like to switch them around.

I really believe we can win this way.

-Do it. -Izana!

Hang in there!

Go!

-Go! -Run, Izana!

Izana showed her aptitude on the turf course and won.

It saved the Horse Racing Division, but…

We did it, President!

You're a great team.

A team? We're nothing so fancy.

THE ROYAL FAMILY BEGINS

Kanako, that's unacceptable!

I'm sorry for my father's rudeness!

"Do you even want to win?"

Every horse owner wants to win!

He's so rude!

I'm truly sorry.

I will make him apologize. Please, give us one more chance.

I'm sorry to say this,

but Hidaka ranches are not in a position to be picky right now!

Hokuryo Farm has countless good horses on offer!

Just shut up and sell horses!

Or your tiny farm will be ruined!

Please, people's livelihoods are at stake here!

I know.

NOZAKI FARM, RANCH OWNER

This one is the last.

NOZAKI FARM

Last?

What do you mean?

What do you mean by last?

Hey, welcome back.

I'm home.

Welcome back. How was school?

KANAKO'S SON

Go ahead.

I don't want to do it. Ask someone else!

You do it every year!

Right?

Well then, a toast to Yuriko Sanno's birthday!

-Cheers. -Cheers!

-Happy birthday. -Thank you.

-Happy birthday. -Thank you.

Thank you.

Oh, take a picture with me too! Can I upload it to Facebook?

Sure!

-Too bad! -You should try again.

I'm frustrated. I'll try again.

Business is booming, it seems.

My mother's F&B business.

I'm glad.

In the end, they only won once, didn't they?

I should have made the condition two wins within the year.

Then that Horse Racing Division would be long gone by now.

But, Chief, the situation is not so grim.

Relations with the trainers and farms are good,

and everyone is sure that results will come this year.

They're sure, huh?

Gambling addicts always say that.

Kurisu, where have you been?

Wait.

What?

Okay, come on.

Here.

Use this.

Would you like some water?

No, no need.

Gosh, it's rare for him to be this drunk.

It's fine. He's just sleeping.

-Here you go. -Oh, uh…

Thank you very much.

Do you know what made Kozo start horse racing?

Well… No.

My father recommended it.

My father was a horse owner too.

I hate horses, but I hated my father more.

He was self-righteous and domineering.

Whenever the horses lost, he would blame it on my mother.

Then this man stumbled into that world.

He was a timid person,

and my father provided his company's funds,

so he couldn't refuse.

The day he first bought a horse,

I saw my father in Kozo's proud smile.

And I almost fainted.

Injuries are part of the game,

but for them both to get hurt at the same time…

They're still young enough to race, and yet…

I know.

But we can't risk even worse injuries.

Although they didn't win big,

Fight and Izana absolutely saved our division.

When Izana won,

I thought we could just keep progressing to bigger races.

But it really is a distant goal, isn't it?

The Arima Kinen.

That said, there's no need to be sad.

Our next challenge.

The auction?

Right now, all the top horses are from the Hokuryo farm.

That can't be denied.

Read through this.

We must get a horse at the auction.

Also, I want to stop by the Hayashida Ranch to check on the breeding.

Understood.

The Hidaka region.

Nestled between the majestic Hidaka Range and the Pacific Ocean,

this land, lush with nature is home to many thoroughbred ranches.

From as far back as the Meiji era, it has produced numerous racehorses.

It is Japan's premier breeding ground.

However, most Hidaka ranches are individually owned,

and over time, due to Japan's generally declining population,

and a lack of successors to take over,

the number of breeding ranches has halved in the last century,

following a trend of decline.

Meanwhile, a few large-scale ranches,

by managing everything from breeding to training horses,

have claimed great results in both the number of horses and their winnings.

Right now, farm management is undergoing a major shift.

ROYAL HAPPINESS

SPECIAL SONIC (BORN 1997)

They're all fathered by horses even I know.

Do you like horses?

A bit.

Sorry to take up your time.

No. It's a nice change of pace.

Welcome. Here you go.

Oh, this is…

It's fine. Don't be so awkward.

Everyone wants a horse from Hokuryo Farm.

The auction is next week, huh?

How about you? How's business?

A complete failure.

I just can't find a buyer.

VASILITINO SOLEIL BRIGHT

Really?

Doesn't the Hidaka auction start next month?

If you put one up, it will garner interest.

What?

We have one horse, but my father won't put it up.

Really?

Yes.

In an auction, a starting price is set, right?

-Yes. -Right.

A number that says, "You must pay at least this much."

So, at the very least, you can recoup the costs of raising them.

Yes, roughly like that.

In exchange, at an auction, you don't know who gets the horse.

In an auction, you must hand the horse to the highest bidder,

no matter who they are.

Right.

My father doesn't like that.

He wants to talk directly with the owners and only sell to the right person.

Oh, that's noble.

I can understand his feelings.

As a buyer, if the ranch is so picky, I would have high hopes for the horse.

Do you think so?

I do.

Even if the horse costs 100 million?

100 million…

At the Hokuryo Farm auction, 100 million is small change.

But a small Hidaka ranch asking for 100 million yen in a private sale

is practically a joke.

Even so, some people were somewhat interested,

but my father kept refusing.

That horse…

What kind is it?

-What's wrong? -No…

Don't get the wrong idea.

I didn't come here to… Wait…

I'm not here to ask you to get Mr. Sanno to buy the horse.

I mean it!

I just…

-I wanted you to listen to my complaints. -I know.

Trust me, I'm not interested because it's you.

We're looking for a new horse too.

Hokuryo Farm has all the facilities needed for thoroughbreds,

including breeding, rearing, training, and stallion management.

They trade hundreds of horses annually.

It is the largest ranch in Japan.

Hello! I've been waiting for you!

-Pleasure doing business. -Yes.

Do you have a horse in mind?

-Oh, you look like you do. -No, I'll have to see them first.

Really? You look like a man with a target already!

For the horse Mr. Sanno wants, I fear we will have stiff competition.

-You sure about this? -What do you think, Mr. Hironaka?

It is certainly a well-bred horse.

Anyone would expect it to win.

But that doesn't fit the president's style.

I think so too.

The horse is certainly good.

But I wonder if it's really the right choice.

Fight and Izana were both rare finds, discovered by Mr. Sanno.

You're really speaking up now.

No, I didn't mean to…

But right now, Hokuryo is dominant in every aspect.

To have better odds, he must either get a horse with an excellent pedigree

or go against the tide

and discover an as-yet-unknown promising horse.

He also has difficult choices to make.

Next is No. 142. Born to Golden Rail and…

I think this next horse is interesting.

A mare, huh?

Its pedigree excels at 1600 meters.

If you choose the races, it could be a contender.

President?

No.

The goal is the Arima Kinen, not the 1600 meters.

The Arima Kinen, Kozo's dream,

requires a tough horse that can run long distances

to have a chance at the top spots.

Last call. 97 million yen.

Any bids?

-Sold for 96 million. -Our target is the Seal brown one.

Seeing it in person determined it.

Thank you for your winning bid.

Sorry. I can't say anything yet.

Mr. Sanno's favorite is coming up.

Got it.

Sorry to make you do this.

It's fine.

And, besides…

Depending on the bid price, he may choose to just buy this horse.

The presale rumors alone say it will exceed 100 million yen.

We're also on a budget.

It's okay.

But… I see.

I want him to win the bid, but I also don't want him to.

It's complicated.

Of course, if we can't win the bid here, we plan to visit ranches later.

Sorry, I have to go.

Next up is lot number 151.

Black Flash, born March 15th 2011. Male, Seal brown.

Fathered by Disc Eye.

The stud we've all been waiting for is here!

All right! 190 million yen?

Can we get 200 million?

-200 million? -Yes!

210 million yen?

210 million yen.

220 million yen?

230 million yen?

The owner on the first row.

-240 million? -Yes!

240 million.

250 million?

-Yes! -250 million.

-260 million? -Yes!

260 million.

-270 million? -President.

We're 100 million over budget.

Are you sure…

-Yes! -270 million.

-280 million? -Yes!

280 million.

-290 million? -Yes!

290 million.

-300 million yen? -Yes!

300 million yen.

We've reached the milestone of 300 million yen.

Do I have 310 million yen?

310 million yen?

-A stud with a strong sire. -President.

-We can't afford… -310 million?

Yes!

310 million yen.

320 million yen?

-Yes! -320 million yen.

Do I have 330 million?

330 million yen?

Soon, we'll have our last call.

Do I have 330 million yen?

330 million yen, last call.

No bids for 330 million yen?

It goes to the owner by Spotter Sugiyama for 320 million yen.

Horses purchased at the Hokuryo auction will spend their time there

until they become full-fledged racehorses.

In human terms, this place is like a prestigious boarding school.

If you consider their debut as entering the workforce,

then that horse is a super elite, who has had the best education possible

from kindergarten to university.

-Thank you very much. -Thank you.

Mr. Hironaka.

Congratulations on winning the other day.

-The Japanese Derby. -Thank you.

Hironaka!

Hello.

This is Hokuryo's CEO.

-Oh, hello, sir. -Hello.

Where's Mr. Sanno?

He's working on the next strategy.

Mr. Sanno always livens things up every year.

We're grateful. I'm Nomura.

-Thank you. -Thanks.

My pleasure.

I now need you to buy another ten horses, Mr. Shiina.

We still have to check out other ranches.

-Oh, that's right. Hironaka. -Yes?

I would like to introduce you to someone.

Oh, okay.

Excuse us then.

Have fun. This way.

I won the bid for Akino Lily who just won the Japan Derby, here.

In a one-on-one bidding war with Mr. Sanno.

My first thought after I won

was how glad I was not to have lost the bid to anyone.

I feel sorry for Mr. Sanno, but because we had that bidding war,

my faith in Akino Lily became unshakable.

Thanks to him, they're the best in Japan.

Please pass along my thanks.

Understood.

Why didn't you go with your friends?

They said the car would take two hours to fix.

And I knew you were here.

We have a lot of places we need to go to, you know?

-Oh, is that her? -Where?

Oh, there. There she is.

Gosh.

HAYASHIDA RANCH

-Oh, no! I'm scared! -Yuriko.

Scary!

-Oh, they're cute from further away. -Yuriko!

-They're cute further away. -Sorry.

-I didn't mean to bring her here. -Oh, it's fine.

Look. Happiness is doing fine like always.

Oh, look at that coat she has!

What? Is this horse Happiness?

Royal Happiness?

She won a big race once, right?

-What was it? -Nakayama Himba Stakes, a G3.

I knew it.

He kept going on about Happiness back then.

But he never let us see her.

He never lets us see the good parts!

You're weird, Dad.

You're the ones that never came when I asked you to!

Royal Happiness, owned by Kozo Sanno,

is a broodmare, a female horse used to produce foals.

Horses that performed well during their careers

or have excellent pedigrees are often returned to a breeding ranch

to live out their lives as a mother horse for breeding.

President.

Before the year's end, I'm thinking of closing the ranch.

Thank you for everything.

This year? But it's almost New Year's!

Breeding, training… I can't do it anymore.

President, you've been so good to me.

Do you have any health issues?

It's not that, but…

We don't have a successor,

and I don't think we can fight against the tide.

I understand.

Sorry for all the trouble.

Not at all.

Thank you for the memories.

Leave Fight and Izana to me.

Happiness, can you take her in too?

I'll take care of her.

Mr. Kurisu.

You saved us.

-Thank you. -No…

Can't you hold on a bit longer?

Enough for one more win?

That's the difficult part.

I don't feel like we can win against the Hokuryo horses.

Everyone wants a horse from Hokuryo Farm.

A small Hidaka ranch asking for 100 million yen in a private sale

is practically a joke.

Twelve point seven.

Twelve point two.

She's in great shape.

Worth every penny.

The price is just a stepping stone.

It's not enough.

I want her to exceed my expectations.

Contact the trainer.

Understood.

Your family also ran a ranch in Hidaka, right?

It doesn't exist anymore, though.

I wanted to save it, but I was too late.

Just go home already!

I just want to tag along for a while!

Gosh!

President.

Actually, there's a horse I would like you to see.

So Mr. Nozaki bred them in America?

He's a hardworking, determined man, but few understand him.

No, but 100 million…

Why is he asking for such a high price?

An unknown ranch would never get a sale at this price.

All we can do is take a look at the horse.

I don't like him.

Why?

He doesn't understand business.

"I bred it over in America, so buy it for a higher cost," doesn't work.

Private sales are about trust.

If you don't plan to sell, you shouldn't breed it!

-But… -Okay.

Let's go to this farm.

What?

With uncooperative ranches like this,

it's better to go there and talk to them directly!

Actually, it's my friend's farm, so please be nice to them.

Why should I care?

-Let's go! -Okay!

Sorry for making you wait!

Hey. Is that person really your friend?

What?

Your "friend"?

Sorry.

Mr. Hironaka is going back to Miho tonight, so it has to be now.

-Sorry for the surprise visit. -It's fine.

Well then…

Yes, show us the 100 million yen horse.

Don't hold out on me!

-It's actually him. -What?

Oh, nothing! This way, please.

Dad, this is the owner of the Royal…

Hi. I am Kozo Sanno.

A horse owner.

My secretary insisted, so we dropped by.

This is my friend from college…

-It's been a while. I'm Kurisu. -Skip the greetings. Show me the horse!

Are you sure?

What?

Compared to Hokuryo horses,

our pedigrees and environment are very different.

Dad.

Perhaps Hokuryo will have a better horse for you.

Dad.

Mr. Nozaki, we didn't come here for no reason.

-Kanako recommended it to us. -Quit the talk. Show me the horse.

President.

Do you truly have the will to win?

-Cut it out, Dad! -What?

I'm asking if you have the will to win.

I'm sorry. I'll take you to the horse.

How many years have you been doing this?

-Don't talk like an amateur! -President.

This isn't business.

It's a fight.

A fight where, to win, we stake our lives!

Oh, wow, well said.

I'm also fighting for the livelihoods of hundreds of employees!

We can't sell to someone who doesn't intend to win!

-Stop it! -I said we won't sell!

-Dad… -Sir! We haven't seen the horse…

-Should I lend you my hearing aid? -President…

-He'll have a cup of tea. -Okay, sure.

Is there no other place around?

Everyone around here uses this place.

You want some kelp?

Oh, anything is fine. Bring it quickly!

I am truly sorry.

No, we are too.

What are you doing?

-Facebook. -I see.

Okay, here are your drinks. Thank you.

I think he's too emotionally attached. It makes him stubborn.

Hello!

Put the Fighters on.

-They're not playing today. -What? Seriously?

That's so boring.

What do you think?

About your horses?

You'll take over, right?

Many ranches are closing due to a lack of successors.

But you have to live on even after your father dies.

Does your father understand that?

He doesn't understand.

That old man knows nothing!

-Hey! -It's not about winning or losing.

We're desperately trying to make a living!

He doesn't understand any of that.

I'm not asking you guys.

I'm asking her.

Oh, my!

So scary.

I believe…

my horse won't lose to anyone.

There it is.

I understand how you all feel.

However, the ultimate goal of a racehorse is to win.

-To produce a horse that can win-- -How many ranches have you ruined?

How many breeders have been sweet-talked by your father,

spent a fortune, then gone bankrupt?

Before the year's end, I'm thinking of closing the ranch.

You can't afford to dream.

As long as you live here, you have to do what you must!

Breed horses and sell them, even if the price is low!

That's how a respectable ranch is run!

You mock us all.

-We're not mocking-- -You are!

You said, "Things can't go on like this."

That's basically rejecting our way of life!

I apologize.

What you said resonates with me.

But…

we are making this deal to win.

Of course,

I fully understand that every horse carries the wishes of its carers'.

But we…

We want hope.

Hope that we can win.

We are looking for such a horse.

We want to meet such a breeder.

"Hidaka ranches are no good."

"Only Hokuryo is good." We absolutely don't believe that.

You come from the city and demand hope?

It's easy for you to say, you know?

Easy for you to say.

Now, in Hidaka,

there are many ranches that are ignored in auctions.

Few people remember the good times.

It's tough to know that times were better.

But it's also tough not knowing.

-I'll take her home. -Okay.

Mr. Sanno, I'm truly sorry we couldn't show you the horse.

No worries.

See you.

Let's go.

Okay.

Keep fighting.

You are the ones who will make the horses stronger.

I got married six months after breaking up with you.

Things like that really do happen.

After marrying and having a child,

my way of thinking gradually changed.

Before, I never intended to take over the farm,

even though I loved it.

Did your husband disagree with you taking over the farm?

For a while,

we tried living in two locations, Tokyo and here.

But I just felt like it would be better for Shohei to live here.

So we talked about it seriously,

but it didn't work out.

It was an amicable divorce.

And then I came back here.

But I was so scared.

Scared that I might ruin my child's life.

I was so scared,

I tried to forget it by working.

And yet…

This is frustrating.

-Well, thank you. -Sure.

Mr. Hayashida…

He's closing his ranch.

What?

It was my first time witnessing it.

It was anticlimactic.

Mr. Hayashida too?

Of course, a horse won't run forever,

people get old,

and separation can come suddenly.

But still, I can't just say goodbye that easily.

By sticking together, maybe we can find a new dream, right?

Even if it's tough now,

you won't get there unless you continue.

Yes.

So…

let me think about it with you.

About the farm and about the horse.

Let's think about them.

Together.

Oh, Shohei.

What are you doing?

Nothing. You weren't coming in…

Good evening.

Oh, Shohei.

Well…

-See you. -Yeah.

Happiness?

I thought about it all night.

Can we move Happiness from Mr. Hayashida to the Nozaki Farm?

Happiness is a broodmare.

Boarding a broodmare requires us to pay a boarding fee.

If we're going to pay anyway,

then let's hire Nozaki Farm to help them out.

Why would we want to help that farm?

You said it yourself.

"You are the ones who will make the horses stronger."

Well, we need time for that.

Time to keep the farm going.

And by doing this,

we will have a chance to meet a strong horse.

That's poor logic.

But it would be a shame to waste a successor.

We're not helping that geezer.

We're betting on the young.

Make that clear.

Understood.

We've already arrived at the paddock area.

No, we should be the ones apologizing for coming so suddenly.

Well, we're around the dead end straight ahead from the entrance.

Yes, that's right.

We'll be waiting here.

Hey.

No way.

It took a liking to him.

That shy horse…

Are you sure you want to hire us?

Yes.

Please take care of Royal Happiness.

Please help her produce a healthy foal.

Thank you very much.

Hey. Do you have a glass?

A cup is fine too.

I suddenly want a drink.

Gosh.

Sake in the morning is the best, isn't it?

By the way, what's with that horse?

He's a little thin, but calm and dignified.

You could confidently sell him. Why be so stubborn?

I am confident.

If I weren't, I wouldn't have put a price of 100 million.

I don't get it.

You're always so demanding of others, but don't want to talk about yourself.

That's not fair.

Talk to us. That's what business is.

Thanks for the drink.

In the past,

thoroughbreds meant Hidaka.

But now it's tough.

Hokuryo Farm dominates.

The people in Hidaka have given up.

We're just surviving now.

But I want to win.

I want to win.

Otherwise, I don't know what I even live for.

It's the same for the horses.

What were they born for, and what will they die for?

That's why I decided to take a gamble that Hokuryo wouldn't.

You went all the way to America for breeding?

Everyone around me called me a fool.

"No one is looking for that kind of bloodline anymore."

They called me a gambler.

But I am serious.

I will win with that horse.

My goal, no matter what anyone says,

is to win a G1 with a horse from this farm.

To stand at the pinnacle of over 8,000 thoroughbreds born each year.

I want to win the nation's top Grade I race

and make our horse the best in Japan.

At the Arima Kinen.

I appreciate the boarding contract.

I can also tell that you,

as my daughter's friend, are trying to help us.

Thank you.

However,

regarding that horse, I don't need pity.

I just really want

to sell him to someone truly determined to win.

That's all.

It's not that I don't want to sell.

The 100 million is a price I set to test that resolve.

Who do you think you are?

You make it sound like we, horse owners, don't want to win.

Resolve?

Stop insulting us!

Why are you so convinced that only you want to win?

What does winning mean to you?

My father stands for…

his fellow farm owners,

who grew up and worked alongside him.

Their emotions make him carry on.

Many tried their best,

yet had to close down or died with their dreams unfulfilled.

We carry on the dream of those people.

My mother was one of them.

My father's dream

is the dream of everyone in Hidaka.

Dream, huh?

Sorry, but my dream is also the G1.

To take first place at Arima.

How about that?

Someone who shares your dream is here.

And now,

I have one more dream.

To achieve that win with a Hidaka horse.

If I win with a Hokuryo horse, no one will be surprised.

I will have bought that win.

They'll just say, "Of course, he won."

That's not what I'm aiming for.

If people aren't shocked, it's no fun.

"I don't care about horse races."

"I don't know about horses."

People like that will say, "What is this horse?"

I'll bring such a horse to the race and win.

I'll win the G1.

For that, I need a Hidaka horse.

Let me join your dream.

Do you have the will to win?

It's all I want.

Then please, I beg you!

All right, let's toast! A celebratory toast!

We're all drunk with ambition! In the same boat!

-Yes! -Yes.

Good answer.

Cheers.

-Cheers! -Cheers!

I wonder if Mr. Hironaka will like it.

Even if he doesn't like it,

I'm betting on this horse.

The horse is the main star.

Yes.

Kurisu.

You name it.

What? Me?

You brought everyone together.

Take responsibility.

What?

How about "Thunder"?

-Thunder? -I mean, come on.

Royal Thunder.

Thunder, huh?

Thank you for reaching this decision.

"Reaching"?

I made my decision the moment I saw this farm.

What?

Have you looked at the grass in this paddock?

The tips of the grass are properly mowed.

For the horses' sake, this is essential.

But many ranches skip it because they don't have enough manpower.

But this place…

Despite having only two people, they managed it perfectly.

That makes them trustworthy.

I told you.

About horses, I don't know…

You don't know much. Even so…

That was the deciding factor?

Who do you think I am?

Oh, right.

That woman…

She's your ex, right?

What? Are you stupid?

You're single, right?

Hold her hand, at least.

Did you hold hands last night?

We didn't! Are you stupid?

You just called me stupid twice, you bastard!

-Mr. Kurisu. -Yes?

-The president is asking for you. -Okay.

Royal Hope.

What? Wait, what?

Not bad, right?

Yes.

I was looking for a horse with a name like that.

And so they finally met

a great hope that will turn the wheels of fate.

Hope?

Hope, huh?

It's good.

It's really good.

MY DREAM FOR THE FUTURE JOCKEY - SHOHEI NOZAKI

Shohei? Are you back?

Yes, I'm home!

The race continues until the legacy is passed on.

Would you ride our Royal Hope?

-You're arrogant. -Can you convince him?

"Kozo Sanno appoints troublemaker, Ryujiro Saki."

Would you consider transferring to the national circuit?

Not everyone can be lured by the national circuit.

I have no choice but to bet on you two.

"Before I knew it, I was running."

Subtitle translation by: Nix S.