Original subtitles

Did you name me "Koichi," Mom?

My mom's explanation was vague.

Rather than the origin of the name,

what was more striking was her speaking hesitantly.

Kokura Racecourse, Race Five.

The fanfare sounds, and the 16 horses…

My mom watched horse racing broadcasts almost every week.

When I asked her if she liked it, she answered, "Not really."

But she kept staring, as if praying,

whenever the Royal horses raced.

Eat the meal I made for you, okay?

-Okay. -See you later.

That's when I started learning about horse racing.

Thank you very much.

It's been a year since President Kozo Sanno passed away.

How do you feel about having inherited Royal Family and becoming a horse owner?

It still…

doesn't feel real.

You also inherited your father's dream of winning the Arima.

Are you determined?

It's my mission.

I think of it as my mission.

INHERITANCE

-I'm really sorry. -Why?

I couldn't speak well at all.

No. You did great.

The President never really answered reporters' questions properly.

I see.

There is still time before the auction begins.

You should go and look around.

The scale and facilities here are unparalleled.

Is something wrong?

I was wondering what kind of expression I should have.

That of a horse owner.

But I'm an inheritance-only horse owner.

A horse owner who can't buy horses.

It's true that you can't buy a new horse,

but you can learn from everything you witness here.

Eventually, you will be competing with the horses of the people here.

Chairman, that seat is already filled.

This seat?

Oh, no.

I always watch from here.

Sorry.

I didn't know it was designated.

No, it's not.

It brings luck here.

Chairman Watabe, it's been a while.

Aren't you Kozo's…

Nice to see you. I'm Kurisu.

Sorry, it's his first time here.

Sold for 120 million yen.

Customer Number 16, thank you for your purchase.

What?

I just thought you were so enthusiastic.

-Our next horse is Number 43. -I have to do this much, at least.

Thoridin, 2022.

Male, bay, born on April 15th, sired by Lime Cut.

-His sire was skilled at long-distance… -Are you interested?

The dam's line steadily turns out winners.

If I were an ordinary horse owner, I'd definitely buy it.

The bloodline is interesting. I think it will fetch a pretty high price.

-Yes! -That's something to look forward to.

-38 million? -Yes!

38 million!

-39 million? -Yes!

39 million! Do I have 40 million?

40 million?

Any other bids?

It’s not going as high as expected.

40 million?

Last call.

40 million.

Do we have 40 million?

All right!

-What? Is it okay for it to be this cheap? -Sold for 39 million.

-Customer Number 350. -Here.

Mr. Aiso?

-His son? Mr. Shiina's? -Yes.

I was reassigned to him this year.

Oh, I see.

Are things going well, Mr. Kurisu?

What?

With your young horse owner?

Is there any generational gap?

A gap?

So there isn't, huh?

-Um… Excuse me. -Oh, sorry.

You're the owner of Royal Family, right?

Koichi Nakajo.

Yes.

I knew it!

Oh, my name is Nobuyuki Shiina.

SHIINA'S SON

Shiina?

It's a small company, though.

It's my first auction as a licensed horse owner.

Congratulations on that.

I want to connect with owners around my age.

Can I ask for your contact information?

Sure, why not?

-You picked a good horse. -What?

Earlier.

I think that horse is going to be great.

Its parents aren't well-known,

but if you trace back the generations before them,

they have a pretty interesting bloodline.

Right?

You really know your stuff!

This is the restaurant the President took me to when we first met.

-Excuse me! -Yes?

-Another two servings of this, please. -Coming right up.

One after the other, like this. No questions asked.

Please, eat.

"CEO."

It's remarkable, right?

Even though he's not much older than me.

I feel it painfully.

My position as a limited horse owner.

I don't have a horse that I bought myself.

Just raising Family has me struggling financially.

Here is your order.

He's what a horse owner should be like.

-Koichi. -But I…

I don't live in that world.

All I need to do is focus

on Family, right?

Generational shift.

The world of horse racing has seen many generational shifts.

While fans and those involved hope for the continued health of older horses,

they also have high hopes for the emergence of new horses.

Most racehorses retire around the age of five.

Depending on the horse's performance,

they will become breeding studs or broodmares.

There is no upper age limit for owners. As long as they have the will

and financial means to continue, they will not be forced to retire.

What is essential for a horse owner? Financial strength?

Connections?

Or…

SO PERFECT

Inheritance.

Article 12.

Royal Family, who inherited the will of Kozo Sanno and Royal Hope,

won his debut race but then suffered a series of minor injuries,

causing him to miss the Spring Classic races as a three-year-old.

Then fall came.

While horses of the same generation were winning distinguished races,

Family was still stuck in the two-win class.

Number Ten is leading and crossing the finish line in first place!

Despite being fully prepared for this race, he finished in fifth place.

Sorry, I couldn't go to the front.

Still, you came in fifth place.

I should have forced myself to go wide.

I talked to Ryujiro, and we're thinking of pushing our race schedule up.

I think Family's condition will improve if he keeps running.

There you have it.

-Next time, I'll push harder. -Yes.

You don't have to push so hard.

It's okay to monitor the situation gradually.

Well, he got started late, so isn't it time to work hard?

However, in the next race, Family lost momentum in the final stretch

and dropped further down the rankings.

The young owner,

who inherited Sanno's ardent dream of winning the Arima Kinen,

is already facing a time of trial.

So if you start to waver…

-Change jockeys? -Yes.

I'd like to try changing jockeys.

Is that a bad idea?

I think that with more experience,

he has the potential to compete in higher classes.

I think so too.

However, if we were to change jockeys now,

Family might get confused.

Koichi.

Can you tell us what you are trying to achieve?

That's…

Even if he keeps gaining experience like this,

I don't think things will change.

Even so, I don't think the issue lies with Ryujiro.

That’s true…

Ryujiro is one of the top jockeys.

He not only has experience and competitive instinct,

but also a deep understanding of the team.

I think having him on board is a big advantage for us.

I know that, too.

But…

It's like we're trying to match Family with Ryujiro.

I'd like to try going at Family's pace.

Family missed the Spring three-year-old race season due to injuries.

If we don't pick up the pace now, we'll never get any results.

-Yes, but-- -Winning the Arima.

We will fulfill the President's wish, right?

How about we wrap it up for today?

Would it be okay to leave the jockey issue on hold for now

and continue to consider the matter?

I can't speak about horses,

but I believe that Hope was able to run in the Arima Kinen

thanks to the strength of this team.

To win the Arima with a horse from Hidaka.

Starting with Ryujiro,

everyone on the team believed in that without any hesitation.

I think those feelings reached Hope.

But he couldn't get to first place.

I understand what you're saying,

but Hope is Hope.

I think Family has his own unique way of racing.

Koichi!

I had a meeting with my trainer.

Do you need a ride to Tokyo?

Oh, no, not me.

Please, go ahead.

Am I being a nuisance?

No.

Thank you.

-I’ll ride with you. -What?

Oh, okay.

Please take care.

-See you. -Take care.

Thanks for this.

I was surprised. Did you have a meeting too?

Oh, right. I read them.

The Tonichi Sports articles.

-"Inheritance"? -Yes.

A newspaper serialization is really something.

I want one too.

Thank you very much.

I'll let the reporter know.

Okay then.

Thanks again.

Oh, but you know…

The title, "Inheritance," is a little bit old, right?

Inheritance is just self-gratification for the ones doing the passing.

I don't care about common sense or theories.

I want them to listen to my ideas first.

Don't you agree?

I do.

-Good work, everyone! -Thank you!

-Goodbye! -See you!

Hello. This is Nakajo.

Koichi? Are you done working?

This way.

Alcohol? What do you usually drink?

Like, beer and stuff.

Oh, nice. They serve everything.

Sorry for the wait!

This is Koichi Nakajo.

-Nice to meet you. -Welcome.

To the Young Horse Owners' Association.

-Young Horse Owners' Association? -Sit.

Here. Okay.

So today, Koichi Nakajo has been invited

to join us as our youngest member!

Welcome!

-Here you go. -Thank you.

Okay, everyone.

You too, Koichi.

Congratulations on joining!

-Cheers! -On joining?

Sticking to what's classic is fine.

Wanting to preserve formality and tradition.

It's necessary to maintain the grade of Japanese horse racing.

But if we just want to protect it, it will lead to a decline.

We can't stop growing.

He's spouting common sense.

I can when I want to.

But that common sense,

if we make those comments we come off as being cocky, right?

Yes.

I agree.

-Right? -But…

I don't mean to say anything strange.

But when I talk, they act like I can't read the room.

That's the worst.

They tell you, "Do whatever you want," right?

But that actually means,

"Only to the extent that I can understand."

There’s a hidden meaning.

That's true.

They don't want to take responsibility.

Let's do as we please.

-Excuse me. -Good work.

This is a column started by Nobuyuki.

This article talks about something called the "Young Horse Owners' Association."

When did you become a member?

A little while ago, at a dinner party.

What about it?

Of course, I have no intention of interfering in your social relationships,

but did you know that this group

is not very well-regarded by people in the same industry?

No.

The desire to change the system is admirable,

but Japanese horse racing

is not fragile enough to be changed by performance.

It's best to do it in moderation.

Just as I thought.

What?

It is we…

who need to read the room.

Mr. Kurisu.

Can't you be more on my side?

Instead of being a go-between,

I want you to stand with me and fight alongside me.

Fight? With who?

With the team.

No matter what I say, no one takes me seriously.

-But if you say it, everyone-- -I'm sorry.

Who we need to fight is not the team.

Sorry.

I'll be more careful from now on.

THIRD PLACE / FIFTH PLACE / SEVENTH PLACE

HORSE RACING BOOK

Both of them are waiting.

Okay.

-What are you doing? -Shush!

This is the new schedule I came up with for Family.

Unfortunately,

I think Ryujiro is just too busy to be Family's main jockey.

So I would like to change the jockey and reorganize the future race selections.

Wait.

It's not that easy finding a jockey who can replace Ryujiro.

I have a jockey.

I can't think of any.

It's Shohei.

Let me change his jockey to Shohei Nozaki.

Wait a minute.

When I watch Shohei at the training center,

I think he suits Family better than anyone else.

Have you…

I mean…

Have you spoken to him about this?

No, not yet.

In that case, there's no need to rush into a decision.

Let’s listen to everyone and find a good middle ground together.

How long will you postpone it?

It's not like that.

Excuse me.

Training and the real thing are different.

Shohei is doing his best,

but he doesn't have 52 wins and major race experience.

I think Ryujiro's experience is essential to ensure we get results.

If you decide it's impossible from the start,

nothing will change, right?

Please let me and Shohei take on the challenge.

Our goal is to win the Arima.

For that, we need results.

The Arima is a race you can only enter

after achieving results and gaining recognition in Japan.

I agree with you.

We have a race coming up in December.

We can give up on the next race.

If we do that, we'll never be able to compete in the Arima.

No, not just compete.

We'll win it.

-Koichi… -Please.

I only have Family.

Please.

That's right.

Koichi only has Family.

But I…

can ride other horses.

-Ryujiro! -Wait, Ryujiro!

You want to win the Arima.

You want to fulfill the late president's wishes.

Everyone feels the same.

But…

If Koichi's plan is the only option,

then it's not only Ryujiro,

but me you don't need either.

Sorry, Mr. Kurisu.

This is as far as we go.

We need to find a new trainer.

It's not as easy as you think.

Let's go back. Let's apologize and--

I can't.

Mr. Hironaka now has a high chance of becoming a leading trainer.

He will be focusing on that.

He's cutting us because he can't afford to keep a horse that can't win--

Mr. Hironaka is not like that!

-I'm an inheritance-only owner. -Positions don't matter!

There's not a single trainer who will listen

to what you have to say unconditionally.

Even the President had times when no one paid any attention to him.

However, his strength was his ability to continue to believe in people.

I understand.

You can also quit, Mr. Kurisu.

I'll think about the rest on my own.

Are you serious?

Koichi.

Koichi!

Are you going to change jockeys?

I don't know.

Even Mr. Hironaka might get changed.

It's not that we don't believe in Shohei.

I want you to understand that.

I understand.

Family is special.

I'm really grateful that he was chosen.

But…

Shohei replacing Ryujiro…

If the President were here,

I wonder what he would have said.

Avoid?

You're going to avoid the next race?

The next one, or rather, all of them for the time being.

What?

Just ask him.

What's the meaning of this, Mr. Hironaka?

Why me?

To win.

Changing jockeys is common.

But Ryujiro is the one who made Hope stronger.

Thanks to him--

How long are you going to keep being just a fan?

Hope is Hope.

Family is Family.

You are none other than Jockey Shohei Nozaki.

Shohei will be bringing Koichi.

Please.

Please listen to him one more time.

I don't understand.

There were some selfish horse owners,

and some, I wondered if they had any love for their horses, but…

Koichi is neither.

That's why he's difficult.

I wonder if it's a generational gap.

-Sorry, I kept you waiting. -Hi!

Hello there.

My name is Shiina.

Are you really sure?

I'll definitely make you ride it.

Yes. Thank you very much.

Okay. It's a promise, then.

Go to the toilet quickly.

Yeah. Well, then…

Off I go!

What is this about?

He said, "Let's drink."

That’s enough. Let's go.

Mr. Kurisu is waiting.

Honestly, I don't think anyone is at fault.

Mr. Hironaka, and Mr. Kurisu.

Asking me to ride all of a sudden puts me in a bind too.

"No one's at fault.", "A bind."

I can't be so carefree.

After becoming a horse owner…

Do you have any idea how much pressure I feel?

It's not just a dream.

It's not only my father, I'm also carrying my mother's hopes.

That's what it means to make Family win.

That's why I became a horse owner.

Do you understand…

how I feel?

Don't be so selfish.

It's the same for everyone.

I'm carrying the Nozaki name. Everyone is carrying something.

Definitely…

Definitely ride it!

-Okay. -Okay?

-Let's call a taxi. -Excuse me!

You're involved in horse racing, right?

What was it called? That family restaurant sounding…

-Oh, Royal Family! -Yes! Royal!

All-you-can-drink, please!

It's great being a horse owner. Do you go out drinking every night?

Koichi!

Don't get too cocky!

It's probably your parents' money, right?

At least make a horse that can win!

It's his father's fault.

He can't win because his father did bad things when he was alive.

You're right!

You've got it tough as his successor.

The person you have dialed…

I'm going to go.

-Mr. Hironaka… -Maybe this is for the best.

Rather than saying the wrong thing and falling into self-loathing,

it's best if we don't meet at all.

See you.

Hello?

I'm Odaka from the Public Safety Division of the Minami-Azabu Police Station.

Yes?

We have Koichi Nakajo here with us.

What?

Apparently, he got into a fight while drunk.

Now, he's sobered up and is feeling quite remorseful.

Come in.

Someone is also coming to pick up his friend.

It was the other person who started it.

They're reflecting on the incident and said that they won't make it an issue,

so you can leave for today.

Please excuse me.

Sorry for this.

I apologize for the inconvenience.

-We'll go ahead. -Take care.

Koichi! See you again at the racetrack!

-Bye! -Take care.

Good night!

Thank you very much.

What happened to Shohei?

You were together.

Before meeting you, he called me and said he would bring you over.

Why is he not here?

He went home first.

I wouldn't move, so…

You're careless.

You lack awareness.

That's not adult behavior.

Let's find a new stable for Family.

We can no longer rely on Mr. Hironaka.

SANNO FAMILY GRAVE

It won't be until I hand them over to you.

But until that horse…

finishes first.

Family will get us what we are missing.

The Arima Kinen.

So if you start to waver…

Damn it.

-I'm sorry about the other day. -It's okay.

Please take this, it's not much.

-Thank you. -I hope it's not a problem.

HIRONAKA STABLE

Sorry about the other day.

-It seems Koichi got you involved-- -You've got it wrong.

I'm really sorry!

What?

I was waiting for you.

The President's favorite place was a tempura restaurant,

and mine is this set meal restaurant.

Please sit here.

Thank you very much.

-Excuse me. Beer, please. -Okay.

-Thank you for waiting. -Thank you.

Oh, thank you.

I heard what happened that night from Shohei.

He can't win because his father did bad things when he was alive.

You're right!

You've got it tough as his successor.

What the hell do you know?

-Everybody's doing it to win. -Shohei.

Everybody's struggling to win!

-Do you want to go? Hey! -Don't touch him!

A jockey being here would be bad. Go!

-Hey! Wait! -Hey!

-Go! Hurry! -What's with you? Don't touch me!

-Don't get in the way! -What the hell?

I'm sorry I said such terrible things without knowing the truth.

No, it's okay.

I brought that situation on.

No…

-Have you decided what to order? -Oh, the daily special.

What about you? Everything's delicious, by the way.

Then, the daily special for me too.

-Two daily specials. -How about the rice?

-Large serving, please. -Okay.

There is something I need to apologize to you for.

Since I started working as your secretary, I have continuously thought,

"What would the President do?"

But… that means that I haven't been seeing you as you.

I'm a failure as a secretary.

Actually…

Before he died,

he told me something.

Koichi.

From now on,

many people will try to impose what appear to be horse racing rules.

But, you…

You are not from that world.

You're…

just a man who loves horses.

So if you start to waver…

prioritize only the horse

and what you believe in.

Okay.

I did as I was told, I only thought about Family.

I thought that was the only thing I could rely on.

But Family needs a team,

and I need you all.

I didn't know anything.

I just wanted you all to think that everything's all right,

that I could handle things.

I'm sorry for making you bear all of this alone.

No, it's okay.

Thank you for waiting.

Thank you.

Let's eat before it gets cold.

I always eat dinner alone.

"It's delicious," or…

"I'm happy."

I'm not good at putting my feelings into words.

I don't know if I can convey this properly.

Winning the Arima Kinen.

This dream…

is also the dream of everyone who fought alongside my father.

Mr. Kurisu.

Would you let me join in on that dream?

I want to make it happen, together with you all.

Would you fight with me again?

Let's win the Arima Kinen together.

I beg of you.

Understood.

Thank you very much.

Yes.

Just one thing.

Don't you ever betray me.

Ever.

I understand.

I won't ever betray you.

Ever.

Let's eat.

Yes.

Thank you for the meal.

Thank you for the meal.

-It's delicious. -Yes.

I'm very sorry.

Please, could you listen to Koichi's thoughts one more time?

My plan was based on the idea

of winning the Arima two years from now, not next year.

I believe Family is a late bloomer.

So, we don't rush. Let's take our time.

I want to create a plan that will ensure Family wins the Arima.

Because I'm an inheritance-only horse owner,

and Family is the only one I have.

In a few years, Family will also retire.

Even after that, it is my responsibility and goal

to continue supporting Family.

But…

I don't have the financial means.

The only thing I can do is get Family to produce results in the big races.

Making sure he can earn enough to feed himself until he dies

is just as important as winning the Arima Kinen.

So I…

want to win no matter what.

It was a plan that came from thinking about Family.

But I'm really sorry that…

I couldn't express it well.

No.

Of course, we need to keep winning,

but that is just a means to win the Arima.

As for Shohei's appointment,

Koichi nominated him with the expectation that he'd grow in the next two years.

Right now,

at this very moment, Ryujiro is the one who can win.

However, I think that in two years,

Shohei and Ryujiro will be competing for the top spot.

I understand.

I'll go.

In two years, huh?

Interesting.

Then there's a lot we can do.

I was being stubborn.

All I could think about was getting to the Arima as soon as possible.

I'm really sorry.

No.

Don't mind Ryujiro. That's the kind of job a jockey is.

We will proceed with training based on your plan.

Of course, this is based on the assumption that Shohei will be appointed.

But there are many weak spots.

Koichi.

Would you like to help us redesign the two-year road map?

Thank you.

You didn't have to come.

I was the one who got you involved in the first place.

Thank you so much

for running with us this far.

The race is just a moment.

I think jockeys

carry those moments with them for the rest of their lives.

There are…

countless moments living inside me.

I'll carry them until I retire, and I think that’s enough.

It's a problem, right? What I did.

If I had been there,

I would have done the same thing.

It was a problem, but we won't make it a problem.

Shohei will be Family's main jockey from the next race.

Believe in him.

If you don't believe in him, who will?

ROYAL HOPE

The new year arrived,

Royal Family made a new start with Shohei Nozaki.

Stop!

Race Ten, mount up.

Number 11, Royal Family, is going wide, and he finishes in first place!

-Yes! -All right!

The result was first place.

From that day onwards, Family won three consecutive races

and was thrust into the spotlight.

However, there was something that stood in their way.

He's fast! He's strong! A four, five-length lead!

Number 11, So Perfect, finishes in first place!

-Jockey Ryujiro Saki is looking relaxed… -What's with that horse?

What a monster.

SO PERFECT

I wish you could have played a little longer.

-That's the result of playing. -You're the best.

A picture, please.

Congratulations.

That horse still has a long way to go. It will be from here on out.

-It's amazing! -Do your best!

-I heard you bought it for 39 million? -You should come by.

-I'd love to. -Thank you.

That horse! The 39 million from that time!

So Perfect!

I was truly lucky.

Thanks to you cutting off Ryujiro, I suddenly have the best duo!

I'm sorry, I know you had your eye on this horse too.

Not at all.

Family is all I need.

I don't care about generations or being the strongest.

Family and I will win the Arima. That's all I need.

There's room, right?

For a horse owner like me?

-Royal Family's jockey is down! -Shohei!

He's in pain. He should get looked at.

We'll change jockeys.

Maybe we should think about retiring Family.

Subtitle translation by: Raquel P.