Original subtitles

Inheritance, Article 30.

After three consecutive wins in the spring,

Royal Family continued to increase his prize money in major races,

and advanced to his first G1 race, the Autumn Tenno Sho, at the age of four.

Currently, we have clear skies over the Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu City.

The 170th Autumn Tenno Sho.

For horse owner Koichi Nakajo and jockey Shohei Nozaki,

this is their first big stage.

2024 FOURTH TOKYO HORSE RACE HORSE OWNER SEAT

I wish Kanako could have come too.

She said she couldn’t leave her dad alone with the ranch.

I see.

It's about time she took over the business, huh?

-Yes. -Exactly. "Inheritance."

-Hello. -Hello.

Are you reading my articles?

-Yes. -Of course.

Thanks.

When Shohei took over,

I inserted some stories from his childhood.

It's well received by the readers.

I guess it's good that he's from Hidaka.

He now carries the weight of defeating Hokuryo Farm as Hidaka's rising star.

The 170th Autumn Tenno Sho.

-Today's attendance has exceeded 70,000. -That's good. Okay.

Dad, I'll do that.

I can do this much.

You have bad knees, and yet…

It's almost time. The TV.

The races so far have been full of turmoil.

Will the Autumn Tenno Sho go to the favorite as expected?

-Mr. Kurisu, will you not get married? -What?

-Hey. He's talking to you. -I heard him.

Why ask now?

Well…

We're all a little nervous, so I thought we could talk about something else.

Shall we go to the paddock?

-Don't be shy. -I'm not being shy.

Don't tell me you never plan to get married?

I plan to, of course.

I even proposed.

Oh, you have?

Yes, years ago.

But she said, "Not now."

And since then, nothing.

Could you bring it up?

"About my proposal…"

It's terrifying. I can't bring myself to do it.

-Sorry. -No, it's because I said…

-No, he also… -That's enough.

I'm sure Kanako has her own idea of happiness.

-Here, Dad. -I'm sure of it.

Maybe.

Probably.

Oh, here he comes.

Shohei.

Royal Family.

He's in great shape.

Yes. Thank you very much.

Today, he is the second best after our Rainbow Camp.

What?

Well…

Sure, Rainbow Camp is a great horse, but…

Today, our Family will win.

Please take the supporting role.

Our predecessor may have said that, but we are challengers.

We will challenge you with all our might.

Excuse me.

Isn’t that joke a bit too much?

-It took me ten years to get used to it. -Ten?

Let's go too.

Okay.

They are midway between corners. Gaspard Marilyn is in the lead.

-The fourth corner to the final straight. -Go!

-The lead pack… -Come on.

Oh, a rider is down!

Royal Family's jockey, Shohei Nozaki, is down!

As for the battle for the lead…

Towards the race's end,

Family, who had moved to the outside, suddenly lost his balance

and threw Shohei off.

Family stopped running and stood still.

The Arima Kinen they are aiming for is one year away.

It was an incident that brought them to the brink of despair.

Shohei…

Mr. Kurisu?

Mr. Kurisu!

Unseated.

A racehorse can run at a maximum speed of over 60 kilometers per hour.

In such situations, jockeys are required to make calm judgments

to assess the horse's condition and the flow of the race.

However, racehorses are delicately balanced,

and even a minor abnormality can lead to a serious injury.

-Tokai Teio. Returning after a year… -A wounded horse.

-An unseated jockey. -Rider Yuichi Kitamura…

Their return to the track.

Takes the love, wishes,

and vast accumulated experiences of countless people.

ROYAL FAMILY

Ankle fracture, huh?

Yes, they said it will take four months before he can ride again.

-Have you heard about Family? -Yes, from Mr. Hironaka.

He has a fracture too.

It will take about six months.

Yes.

He'll be recuperating at an outside stable for a while.

Luckily, we're aiming for next year's Arima.

It's going to be okay. Family and Shohei still have time.

Can you come to visit?

I mean…

I want to go, but… Yeah…

-Are you having a hard time at the ranch? -I can't leave Dad alone.

I can't ask for help either.

I see.

It's…

been six months since I last came out there.

I'll come to see you.

I also want to see how the other horses are doing.

Yeah.

I'll be waiting.

And so, Royal Family's 2024 quietly came to an end.

The new year came. 2025.

Ryujiro?

It seems that he'll be replaced as So Perfect's jockey.

Instead, a foreign jockey, Christophe Lemaire, will ride them.

What?

Why now, when the Classic Races are about to begin?

It's just a strategy.

Was that your plan from the beginning?

No, it's recent.

-Chef, another one! -Okay.

The other day, Saki--

That's fine in a game,

but reality isn't that simple.

Then, tell me that after seeing this year's results.

I'll aim for it.

The Triple Crown, which you still haven't achieved.

It's hard enough to win one G1 race.

If it's a horse that can win the Triple Crown,

you might not think that way.

Shohei's comeback was a Three-year-old Maiden Race in February.

Although his return was a month earlier than initially expected,

he finished in 12th place.

Shohei!

I'm sorry.

This is just the start. Don't rush.

Yes.

After that, he was unable to place in any of the races he rode in.

-Sorry for always asking for your help. -Don't be.

Meanwhile, Family finished recuperating

and headed to Hokkaido for pasture in the hopes of a speedy recovery.

Kurisu visited Hidaka

a week after Family returned to Nozaki Farm.

I'm a little bit concerned about my leg. The horse isn't reacting properly.

It's okay.

It's only been half a month since his comeback.

He seems fine on the phone.

Maybe he went back too early, after all.

The doctor has given the go-ahead.

He also said he didn't want to leave any gaps.

Right.

He's a little bit restless.

Yes. He's been like that since he came back.

Really?

-Yeah. -Hey.

Hello.

I think Family should get looked at again.

But they said his leg is fine now.

No, it's not his leg.

Tears are coming out.

He's in pain.

In his right eye.

Right eye?

Family then underwent intensive treatment

through antibiotic eye drops to reduce pain and inflammation in his right eye.

However, the symptoms recurred.

Corneal stromal abscess?

It's a condition in which pus accumulates in the middle layer of the cornea.

The cornea was scratched by something in the past,

and although the wound itself healed, bacteria and fungi grew inside.

Unfortunately, medication did not reduce the inflammation.

Worst-case scenario,

it could lead to blindness.

Blindness?

When the unseating happened at last year's Tenno Sho,

a chunk of dirt might have been kicked up by the horse in front

and hit Family's right eye.

If only I had noticed then…

I'm sorry.

Please raise your head.

It's no one's fault.

The question is whether it can be cured.

Is there a way?

First, surgical removal of the abscess is necessary,

as soon as possible, to relieve the pain.

However, the risk of blindness remains the same.

Is there not any other way?

There is a method called a "Corneal Transplant,"

but no veterinarians in Japan can perform the surgery.

No one?

Japan's medical technology for racehorses is cutting-edge even by global standards.

Unfortunately, ophthalmology is lagging behind.

Even if he loses an eye, he can still race.

There are actually racehorses like that.

However…

However?

It is extremely difficult for a horse that has lost its right eye

to race properly on a clockwise racetrack.

In other words, the Arima Kinen…

I think it will be difficult for Family to win it.

Excuse me.

He’s at risk of losing sight in one eye.

Racing is not the best option.

Excuse me.

It's not for me to say, but…

At this point,

you should also consider retiring him.

Retiring?

If we force him to enter a race,

worst-case scenario, it may cause irreparable damage.

If that happens, forget retiring…

That's our first problem.

The other one is…

Everyone in the stables is worried.

Is your foot bothering you?

The doctor said there's nothing wrong.

The trainer is also keeping a close eye on you, right?

You're not getting results now because you're in an adjustment period.

No need to rush.

I am rushing.

I might not be able to get my leg back to how it was.

That's not going to happen.

You're riding, right?

It's not enough to just ride it.

There's no point if we don't win, right?

Ever since I came back,

I haven't placed once.

Shohei…

Sorry.

I heard from Mr. Hironaka.

It's my fault that Family got injured.

Don't take it all on yourself.

Even if Family makes a comeback,

if I don't get back to normal…

It seems like he's tormenting himself more than I thought.

I'm sorry.

If…

this continues…

If Shohei's condition doesn't improve,

when the time comes…

We'll change jockeys.

Mr. Kurisu.

Yes?

What do you think

is a horse's happiness?

There are horses that can race despite losing their right eye.

That's a fact.

Racehorses are creatures that run.

But Family…

Would he still be happy?

Thank you for waiting.

Like what Mr. Hironaka said,

maybe we should think about retiring Family.

-Koichi… -But…

I've said this before.

At the very least,

I want to earn enough prize money to let Family live comfortably

for the rest of his life.

That's what I think of when I think about a horse's happiness.

But then again, he can't earn it unless he runs.

Family needs to run.

I wonder…

if this is just human ego.

Am I just making him play into my ego?

A monstrous surge from So Perfect!

So Perfect takes the lead!

It's So Perfect!

So Perfect is in the lead and takes first place!

The first Classic Race!

Rider Christophe Lemaire and So Perfect!

-Thank you. -They dominated the Satsuki Sho!

The monster bred at Hokuryo Farm!

A strong start on his path toward the Triple Crown!

SO PERFECT AIMING FOR TRIPLE CROWN

IS ROYAL FAMILY HOPELESS THIS SEASON?

I did it!

I found a vet who can do a corneal transplant.

What?

After asking around, I finally found them.

Where are they?

In France.

She's Japanese, okay? She was from Ritto.

She's currently researching veterinary medicine at a university in France.

That sounds fishy.

The information was from Trainer Ogino.

She's treated a horse that ran in The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

But…

Family is also recovering from a fracture.

-Sending him to France is a little bit… -Right? So…

Negotiate with the veterinarian to return temporarily.

You say it like it's easy.

It's not guaranteed to be successful.

About our talk the other day,

I worried about a similar thing in the past.

But the President, whom I'd just met, asked me this,

"Do you think a horse knows that it has won?"

I think they do.

When no one is running ahead,

and when no one has crossed the finish line yet,

you'll be the first to sprint through.

Even horses must feel great.

I want to let them experience that.

I…

I want to believe his words.

I want Family to experience that too.

We can't decide Family's happiness for him,

but we can think about it until the end.

So…

Don't give up.

Let's do our best.

I've decided.

Mr. Kurisu, I've decided.

What?

We'll aim for the Arima with Family.

If Family gets injured again,

I'll drop out too.

If that happens, could you think about it with me?

About the future.

About a way to live with Family.

As long as he's alive, we can think up a new dream.

It's a perfect decision.

Another thing.

About Shohei…

I don't want anyone other than him.

I think Family winning the Arima

would be a way to repay everyone who has been involved with Royal.

I can't imagine Shohei not being there.

We won't be replacing him.

Understood.

CHERBOURG UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

It should be here, right?

I have an appointment with Ms. Yuki Sawatari.

What was that?

Me?

Oh, me? I'm Koichi Nakajo.

Koichi Nakajo. I'm Japanese.

I don't really understand, but wait here.

-No. Wait… What? -Someone will come help you.

This is hard. Did he understand me?

Oh, what is it again?

Ms. Yuki Sawatari.

It's okay. You can speak in Japanese.

I'm Sawatari. Come with me.

Thank goodness.

Excuse me.

I declined via email, didn't I?

Can you at least watch the video?

This year will define this horse’s career. His name is Royal Family.

-Royal? -Yes.

Royal? Do you mean Kozo Sanno's Royal?

Yes, that's right.

-Do you know him? -Of course.

That anachronistic Showa-era dad.

He yelled at me in an outraged tone at the training center’s clinic once.

He said, "You think it's okay just to fix it?"

Isn't that obvious?

A horse from there, huh?

Yes.

It's time for training, Shohei.

I don't want to cause any more trouble for the team.

So what are you going to do here?

Hey, do you want to quit being Family's jockey?

No one thinks it's a nuisance.

You're a pro, right? The jockey shouldn't run from the horse!

Don't act like you're superior when you're not a jockey!

I told you, right?

It's not enough to just ride it. There's no other option but to win.

That's the kind of horse he is, right?

This horse is our last chance.

If Family doesn't win because of me…

The future of our ranch, too…

If Family loses, that's it.

The ranch will go under.

The place my grandfather and mother protected.

It'll be my fault.

If that happens,

is there anything you can do?

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

I…

I'm saying that I can't ride!

Wait, Shohei.

Are you riding Family for someone else?

Did you become a jockey for someone else?

KANAKO NOZAKI

I am applying to the Horseracing School.

I want to be Hope's jockey.

MY DREAM FOR THE FUTURE JOCKEY - SHOHEI NOZAKI

Do your best!

Do your best!

Do your best!

Come on.

The horse is injured, and your son is injured too.

Hidaka's rising star, huh?

It's pathetic.

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

That's how a respectable ranch is run!

You mock us all.

There's no way you can beat Hokuryo like that.

That may be true.

But…

I can't just give up.

I can't just give up…

Hey.

Hey!

Good morning!

It's "Good evening."

-Sorry. -Hey.

What's making you go this far?

The previous owner has already passed away,

and I don't think giving up on treatment would be a betrayal.

Yes, indeed.

That may be true.

But I didn't spend time with my father.

From the day I was born,

he was a stranger.

I'll do that.

-Thank you. -Over there?

Yes, it is. I'll let you handle it.

Good morning.

Sorry about yesterday.

It's embarrassing.

I was trying to persuade you, but I ended up getting lectured instead.

Something that I can do…

I wonder what it is.

Me too.

Sorry about yesterday.

After that,

I searched for answers.

When I was with my mom in Hidaka,

my only friends were the horses.

But…

Hope being there with me,

made me want to ride him in the Arima someday.

I promised I would,

so I've done my best in everything.

The reason I ride Family is not for anyone else's sake.

It's because of a promise I made

to Hope, Family, and myself.

And yet, I forgot about that.

I haven't accomplished it yet.

It's going to be okay.

You…

Do what you have to do.

It seems like he desperately wanted to leave something behind for me.

-But I kept refusing. -Would you like another glass of wine?

Yes, thank you.

Thank you.

And then, my father didn't give up.

Before he passed away, he entrusted me with the dream of winning the Arima Kinen.

Just as I imagined him.

-He's self-centered. -Right?

I wouldn't want anything to do with him.

I thought so too.

He appeared out of the blue, saying,

"Accept this money." "Inherit."

-He's strange. -He is.

But…

My father also told me,

"You know horses better than me."

A father I had never met told me,

"I'm sure you can do it."

Oh, I see.

Maybe I just want to cling to that thought.

If I could fulfill my father's dream of winning the Arima Kinen,

maybe it would give meaning to my birth.

You are you.

There is meaning in being born.

But I want to say it proudly.

That I was his son.

That the same blood runs in my veins.

-Excuse me. -Thank you.

Doctor.

What I'm asking you to do is not just to cure him.

I want us to win. I want you to cure him so he can win.

Cure Family's right eye, so he can win this year's Arima Kinen.

-You're exactly like him. -What?

Your father.

I told you, right?

He yelled at me, "You think it's okay just to fix it?"

I thought, "What is this old man talking about?"

After that, Mr. Sanno said,

"Horses don't want to be cured. They want to win.

If you care about the horse, don't just be satisfied with curing it."

You ask for too much.

You and your father.

Please!

I just can't figure it out.

How can I get back to my old self?

I fully understand that I'm in no position to ask you for advice.

-It's impossible. -What?

You can’t return to the way it was. Just give up.

I will not give up!

I became a jockey to win the Arima.

I will not give up!

Who said anything about giving up on winning?

What?

Adjust the stirrups.

Forget about your old form.

Find your new self.

How does the stirrup feel right now?

I feel like my center of gravity shifts back and forth when running.

Let's stretch them a little and check the balance.

HIDAKA TRAINING AND RESEARCH CENTER

Wow! How many years has it been?

This way, please.

The cornea and medical equipment you ordered have arrived safely

from Hokkaido University's Animal Medical Center.

Are you the manager?

My name is Kurisu.

You're doing well putting up with two generations of troublesome owners.

I'm sorry?

What an odd one.

Let me have a look, okay?

A lot of people believe in you.

You must be happy.

Please prepare for the surgery.

Okay.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Oh, right.

I'm not the one who will make you win.

You guys will.

I only set the stage.

Yes.

I'll leave the rest to you all.

-Thank you very much. -Thank you very much.

-Stay in Hokkaido? -Yes.

I was wondering if Family could stay here at Nozaki Farm.

Wouldn't it be best to get treatment in his hometown?

That may be true, but…

But, Kanako.

Family's treatment will take time.

Isn't it difficult to balance work and the ranch?

Well…

About that…

When Kanako is away to check Family,

we'll have the young ones help out here.

Right? Let's do that.

Mr. Hikawa, you…

They are ranch owners who volunteered for Family.

Everyone!

I've brought Royal Family's owner.

Koichi.

Oh, my!

Here he comes!

-Nice to meet you. -Likewise.

We'll provide a horse trailer to the clinic.

Leave the manual labor to the young guys.

-Right? -Yes.

Until Family can move to the training farm,

they said they want to help out with the treatments and ranch chores.

Sorry.

If only my body could move a little more.

What are you talking about? It's okay.

Yes, it is.

-Right? -Yes.

Hidaka is not only yours.

We live here.

Let us fight too. Together.

Oh, well.

We have no choice but to do it, huh?

Let's do it.

Everyone!

Let's definitely help Family make his comeback.

Yes!

Koichi, it's a pleasure to work with you!

Please, come in!

By the way, Shohei…

What?

He was written as Hidaka's rising star, right?

-By Mr. Taira? -Yes.

Apparently, he doesn't like it.

What?

He said, "It's like a horse name."

I see.

-"Nozaki Farm Produced, Star of Hidaka." -"Star of Hidaka."

"In first place is Star of Hidaka.

Star of Hidaka won the Arima!"

-See? I told you. -You're right.

A few centimeters of stirrup adjustment makes that much of a difference?

He's still getting the hang of it, though.

Changing his mindset was a big step forward for him.

Oh, Family!

Can you see me?

That's good. Oh, yes, you can see me!

Look. It's coming more naturally to you now.

Thank you very much.

You're looking great.

Oh, you're looking good!

Approximately seven months after the unseating at the Tenno Sho,

Royal Family and Shohei Nozaki

held their first test to get back on the race track.

What?

Doesn’t he look a bit bigger?

I went all out spoiling him.

After everyone in Hidaka pampered him a lot,

he somehow grew bigger.

Is that even possible?

I think so.

We'll set off now.

Got it.

-Any time now. -Okay.

Let's go, Family.

Here they come.

All right!

You can do it.

You can do it.

-All right! -Yes!

Yes!

They did it!

Mr. Hironaka.

Mr. Kurisu.

I'm glad.

Shohei.

Shohei.

Shohei…

Shohei!

Family, you've become stronger.

Me too.

I’m going to get stronger.

This view.

I need to burn it into my memory

so I can never forget it.

You don't have to do that.

You can come here anytime, right?

This view, this moment, exists only right now.

Should we get married?

This view…

Everything that will happen from now on…

I realized I want to become a family with you, and face everything

together.

So…

I want to marry you.

I told you, right?

I'd make the decision.

I'd be happy to.

What? I can't hear you.

I'd be happy to!

I'd be happy to!

Stop it already!

-All right! -Wait!

-All right! -Wait! This is embarrassing!

Number 11 Hoshino Klar is closing in from the outside!

Number 13, Vials Teon, is chasing from the inside.

Number 14, So Perfect, holds the lead!

He leads by a length and a half!

So Perfect secures a Double Crown with an impressive victory!

-Congratulations on the Double Crown. -Thank you.

Today, you won the Japan Derby.

Next is the Kikuka Sho. How confident are you?

It's the bare minimum.

With a horse like that, the Triple Crown is a given.

Rather, we have to aim higher.

You mean…

Satsuki Sho, Derby, Kikuka Sho, and…

the Arima Kinen.

Mr. Aiso.

How many horses have gone undefeated and won

both the Triple Crown and the Arima Kinen?

-There hasn't been a single one. -Then, we'll be the first in history!

As long as So Perfect is around, we're facing strong competition.

I'll ask again.

Are we really aiming for the Arima this year?

Just being in the race is a miracle.

It takes courage to give up too.

We still have next year.

Are you still going to aim

for this year's Arima?

There's no guarantee that next year will go well.

Family is in his prime now.

The dream is first place.

That is our mission.

It's impossible.

They haven't run a single race this year.

Unless he competes in major stakes races and wins first place every time,

the prize money just isn’t enough.

What about fan votes?

It depends on the results.

Fans can't rely on a horse that can't win.

It's going to be tough.

I mean, rather than them, how about you worry about yourself?

The wave of a new generation is closing in.

Some efforts only mean something if you win.

Please watch, President.

We will show them consecutive wins.

Let's win and be rewarded.

Now, it's time.

Subtitle translation by: Raquel P.