Chapter 49 – Undefeated Triple Crown Winner (Provisional)
“Golden Beer takes first! Three races, three victories! Golden Beer wins the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes!!”
“Were you really sure about that name, Kanemochi?”
I couldn’t help commenting.
The range of names given to famous horses in this world was astonishingly broad.
“Golden Beer is amazing!”
“Is beer tasty?”
“Saku, give me beer!”
“You’re ten years too young.”
“Ten years!”
I had no idea whether horses were even allowed to drink beer, but the victory itself was impressive.
Gold Farm.
First-rate facilities and first-rate people.
And now the leading horse of their generation had won.
It was genuinely remarkable.
However…
Rudolf, who had been watching television with us, looked deeply displeased.
“Tch.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I was supposed to be in that race.”
“Okabe-san, Chloe-san, and I discussed it. We decided you’d prioritize training for now and wait until next year for graded races.”
That discussion had really happened.
After Rudolf won a one-win class race, the three of us talked over a video call about what to do next.
Okabe-san had worn his usual gentle expression, but his voice was completely serious.
“He’s a truly exceptional horse. Let’s avoid pushing him and prepare properly for next year’s Classics.”
Chloe-san had crossed her arms and nodded.
“Agreed. If things go well, I think he can challenge for the Triple Crown.”
Honestly, that one sentence made me break out in a strange sweat.
The Triple Crown.
Those were enormous words.
But when those two said them, they didn’t sound like a joke.
“If that’s what both of you think is best.”
That was the answer I ultimately gave.
I could tell that both of them were looking seriously toward Rudolf’s future rather than merely thinking about the present.
So I entrusted him to them.
That said…
No matter how many times I explained the decision, Rudolf remained dissatisfied. He rolled around on the straw as he complained,
“I’d win even without doing all that.”
“You’re awfully confident.”
“Of course. I’m me.”
“That’s exactly the problem…”
Where in the world had he acquired this attitude of, “Of course I can, because I’m me”?
He was probably born with it.
The difficult part was that he really was strong when he ran.
Since his debut, he had raced three times and won all three.
He had somehow won his maiden, a one-win class race, and an open race, and now he was back at the ranch to rest through the end of the year.
In other words, everything was going absurdly well.
So well, in fact, that his attitude had become even more arrogant lately.
He’d been cheeky from the moment he was born, and he would probably stay cheeky forever.
Crown stared at Rudolf in admiration.
“You’re incredible.”
“I know.”
“But horses like you usually get crushed after one big defeat.”
“Like you did, Crown?”
“You really have a foul mouth, you know that!?”
Crown was defeated.
Stone rolled over on the straw.
“Kid.”
“Hm?”
“Did this boy inherit nothing but his father’s strange traits and all my bad ones?”
“That’s fairly accurate.”
“You’re supposed to deny it.”
But there was nothing I could deny.
Despite his defeat, Crown’s eyes suddenly lit up.
“Rudolf.”
“Hm?”
“Don’t worry.”
“Okay.”
“Because, as of this moment, you are undefeated!”
“That’s right!”
“Which means—”
“I am—”
“An undefeated—”
“TRIPLE CROWN WINNER!!”
Crown and Rudolf delivered the exchange in perfect rhythm.
What was wrong with these two?
Were they a comedy duo?
“HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!”
“HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!”
They burst into loud laughter.
So damn noisy.
And why did they sound like villains from some evil organization?
Right on cue, a deep, intimidating voice rang out.
“Quiet!”
Stone.
At her roar, Rudolf and Crown instantly stopped.
“Honestly, you two.”
Stone sighed.
“Crown, you’re far too old to be making that much noise. And Rudolf, you’ve started getting carried away far too quickly.”
“Yes…”
“Yes…”
Even the way they wilted in unison was perfectly synchronized.
Yayoi-chan watched them, then nodded with an expression that suggested she was beginning to understand.
“I think I can tell what happened.”
“Yeah?”
“Crown and Rudolf were scolded by Stone, weren’t they?”
“Exactly right.”
Yayoi-chan had truly been steeped in the culture of this ranch.
“But I have trouble imagining the Triple Crown. How remarkable is it?”
“About as likely as a meteorite landing on the ranch.”
“That comparison is remarkable in a frightening direction.”
“But it really is that unlikely.”
“I see…”
Winning Post produces a Triple Crown winner every year, though.
Rudolf had been listening, and he cut in with an oddly smug expression.
“That’s why I’ll do it.”
“I wonder who gave you such an inflated opinion of yourself.”
Stone answered immediately.
“Probably Custard.”
“No, Stone.”
“It could be Crown.”
“Good point.”
This ranch might already be beyond saving.
At that moment, the landline in the main house began to ring.
Riiiiing.
Yes, this time I knew who it was before I even picked up.
“Sakurai Ranch, hello.”
“DID YOU SEEEEEEE IT!?”
“Too loud!”
Kanemochi.
He was noisy in exactly the same way as Crown.
“I saw it.”
“Our Golden Beer! Has won! The Asahi Hai!!”
“Yes, congratulations.”
“Shouldn’t you sound more surprised—or perhaps show some reverence!?”
“It’s wonderful, but my stable is already extremely noisy right now.”
“Noisy? Why!?”
“Rudolf is throwing a fit because he thinks he should’ve been in that race.”
The other end of the line fell silent for a moment.
Then Kanemochi spoke in a voice brimming with delight.
“Ha ha ha! Excellent!!”
“You really love this sort of thing.”
“Naturally! Horse racing is never more interesting than when young horses overflow with possibility!”
I actually understood that.
“How is Rudolf? Is everything proceeding smoothly?”
“Very smoothly. He’s probably even more arrogant than you imagine.”
“Wonderful!!”
Was it?
“Then give him this message! Tell him, ‘Golden Beer is waiting for you!’”
“That’ll only make Rudolf even more motivated.”
“I welcome the challenge!!”
Kanemochi remained loud until the very end.
When I hung up and returned to the stable, Rudolf—and Crown, for some reason—were watching me with eyes full of expectation.
“What did he say?”
“What did he say?”
“‘Golden Beer is waiting for you.’”
A moment of silence.
Then—
“Hmph.”
“Hmph.”
Both horses snorted at exactly the same time.
Stop synchronizing like that.
“So it’s a challenge.”
“No, it was just provocation.”
Still, they looked like they were enjoying themselves, so I supposed it was fine.