Chapter 114: Spectating the Henry II Stakes!

—June, Week 1. Sandown Park Racecourse, England. Under a cloudy sky, the G3 Henry II Stakes, where Jara-jara-chan and Kayf Tara-san will clash, is finally about to begin.

Sandown Park Racecourse, also known as Sandown, is located in Esher, Surrey, in the southeast of England. It’s said that this venue was the turning point for bringing higher standards and a more modern style to horse racing, marking it as a historically significant course.

The most prominent race held here is the Eclipse Stakes—the only flat G1 hosted at this track. Scheduled in the second week of July, this race is a major highlight of the UK’s middle-distance circuit. It’s known for being the first battlefield where senior-class and classic-class Uma Musume mix it up.

In terms of sheer number of G1 races, jump racing sees more activity, with five G1 events. It would be nice if they added a new long-distance G1… though creating new races isn’t exactly something that happens overnight.

As typical of European tracks, there’s no dirt course here—just turf. The flat course has a 2600-meter circuit, and within that, there’s a straight 1000-meter track crossing the inner field, dedicated to sprint races.

The elevation difference is about average for a European racecourse, with a 15-meter gap from start to finish. The finish line is set atop a hill, and the homestretch of the main circuit features a steep uphill slope. From the final corner to the goal, there's a 14-meter climb—something most European Uma Musume don’t bat an eye at, but for Japanese ones, it might as well be alien terrain. After all, the steepest climb in Japan is Nakayama’s 5.3 meters. That’s not just a regional gap—it’s practically a different sport.

Another unique feature is the sharp curve at Turns 3 and 4. The numbers may be hard to grasp, but apparently, there's a 160-degree turn with a radius of only 100 meters.

This tight turning radius is extremely rare even among Japanese tracks, both central and local. It’s said to be similar to Sonoda Racecourse, which is only 1051 meters per lap.

To sum it up—Sandown Park is a course where the final stretch hits you with a brutal slope, and the final corner forces you to slow down thanks to its intense tightness.

Small turns tend to favor frontrunners, but with the final straight being around 800 meters long, the slope also gives late closers plenty of room to catch up.

This G3 Henry II Stakes is a 3300-meter right-handed race limited to senior-class participants.

A few hours before post time, I barged into the local trainer's room with lunch in hand. The broadcast from Sandown Park was already underway, and the cafeteria TV was fully tuned to racing. Well, today’s also the French Derby at nearby Chantilly, so the Henry II coverage is a bit subdued, but still…

“Hellooo~! Hey Tomio, are you recording the race? We’ve gotta use it for Kayf Tara-san’s countermeasures—”

As I opened the trainer room door mid-sentence, I found Tomio slumped silently in his chair, a magazine resting over his face. I blinked in disbelief at the way he’d fallen asleep—it was my first time seeing him like this. But I didn’t have time to stand around gawking.

I pinched his cheek to make sure he was really out cold, then gently lifted him out of the chair in a princess carry and moved him to the sofa. I lift 100-kilogram dumbbells on the regular, so carrying an adult male is nothing.

“You’ll wreck your back if you sleep in a chair like that~”

I laid him down on the couch and placed his head in my lap for a makeshift lap pillow. I turned on the trainer room’s TV and switched to the Henry II Stakes broadcast. The screen showed the cloudy skies over Sandown Park. The paddock for the main event hadn’t even started yet—they were still airing one of the earlier handicaps.

To pass the time, I started gently ruffling his hair, like stroking a cat’s fur. The handicap race just ended, and they’d moved into that lull between the winner’s interview and the next event… perfect time to enjoy this.

I combed his hair from the crown down to his forehead, slow and steady. Watching him squirm a little from the ticklish feeling was just too cute.

When you really look at him, Tomio actually has a pretty cute face. Especially when he’s sleeping. But when he’s working seriously, he’s cool too. Ugh, isn’t my trainer a little too perfect?

…………

I wanna do more for him. And maybe have him do more for me too.

…Mm, like in the future? Maybe, maybe not. Oh—TV just changed. Is it starting?

『Today’s European races include the Prix du Jockey Club—the French Derby—and the Henry II Stakes. Both are big highlights.』

『That’s right. In the Jockey Club, we’ll see Montjeu, considered the top classic-class in Europe. And in the Henry II Stakes, the strongest stayer on the continent, Kaif Tara, will be running. Both are leading Uma Musume of their generations, so anticipation is off the charts.』

The commentary hit like a bolt of lightning, and my attention snapped to the screen. Though I didn’t stop petting his head.

So this time of year in Europe means Kayf Tara-san and Montjeu-chan are around. That’s a serious lineup. Over in the classic distance division, there’s Daylami, Tiger Hill, Croco Rouge, Fantastic Light… absolute monsters. And on the stayer route, don’t forget Angely-chan. Throw me and El-chan from Japan into that mix and—okay, hold up. Isn’t this basically the Warring States Period?

If Meek-chan and Suzuka-san, who went to the U.S., were here too, European fans would’ve probably exploded from joy. That’s how wild this is.

It’s the end of an era. No exaggeration. Total battlefield—in every sense.

『This channel will be covering the Henry II Stakes.』

『Kayf Tara is the overwhelming favorite, but with challengers like Jara Jara from overseas, and Golden Nadawi who always lands on the board no matter where she runs, we’ve got a strong field.』

Maybe it was the desire to feel closer to my trainer, but my tail instinctively moved and wrapped around his arm. There’s still time, but if he doesn’t wake up soon, I might get sulky, you know? Not that I’d mind doing whatever I want while he’s asleep.

I fiddled with the remote to start recording the broadcast, still stroking Tomio’s hair, and whispered, “Wakey wakey~.” I mean, if he wakes up now, there’s no way to explain this away, so honestly, I didn’t want him to wake up. But I also kinda wanted to talk about the Henry II Stakes already, so I turned up the pressure a little.

“Okay, okay, time to wake up, or I’m gonna give you a kiss~”

I said it teasingly, then cranked the volume on my device’s alarm. A loud blast filled the room—and Tomio immediately sprang up from my thighs, blinking in confusion as he glanced around.

“Mornin’~”

“Ah… Morning. What time is it? Sorry, I must’ve dozed off…”

“It’s right before the Henry II Stakes starts~”

“You woke me up? Thanks.”

“No, I should be the one apologizing for waking you.”

“The weather’s so nice, if you’d left me there I probably would’ve slept all day. You really saved me.”

I scooted closer to Tomio as he sat upright on the couch, and used my tail to wrap around his right arm. He rubbed his eyes and checked the wall clock, relaxing when he saw the race hadn’t started yet. That look of relief was too adorable, so I leaned on his shoulder and nuzzled my cheek against him, deciding to ask what had knocked him out so hard earlier.

“Were you working?”

“Yeah, scheduling training sessions and photo shoots.”

“Ah… were all the calls and emails in French and English?”

“Exactly! I can speak foreign languages, but it takes me a bit longer than usual…”

“Oof…”

I couldn’t bring myself to follow that “oof” with a “Want another lap pillow?”—so the two of us just silently watched the TV. Tomio pulled his laptop onto his lap and started tapping away.

I peeked at the screen and, yep—he was replying to emails in a foreign language. Looked like a chore.

“Apollo, your tail…”

“Hmm?”

“It’s blocking the screen…”

“Ah, sorry.”

Uma Musume can’t perfectly control their tails. Some barely move theirs at all, and some can suppress emotional reactions—but mine moves a lot. When Tomio looks down during a conversation, it usually means he’s noticed my tail’s acting up. Totally busted.

Most Uma Musume’s tails shoot straight when they’re surprised, wag when they’re happy, swat bugs near their back, and naturally drift closer to people they’re fond of. Along with the ears, it’s a dead giveaway of how we feel.

This time… yeah, my tail probably reacted because I just wanted to be near him. Though, maybe I also wanted to show off my shiny coat and let him know I’m in top condition? Trainers need to be aware of that stuff, right? It’s not because I wanted him to notice I’m wearing the perfume City-senpai gave me or anything, okay?

“Hm.”

“Huh?”

“Are you wearing perfume, Apollo?”

“Huh?”

“I might be imagining it, but... did I just catch a nice citrusy scent?”

…Did he just smell me!? When my tail swung in front of the screen—wait, so it was my tail he smelled!? P-Pervert… sniffing a girl’s scent… My tail was the one that ended up right in front of him, though. Still. Pervert.

…Well, he did say it smelled nice… Ehehe. I’ll let it slide. Kind of puts me in a weird mood.

“Y-Yeah, I’m wearing this perfume Shichi-senpai gave me~”

“Mm, it’s nice.”

“Right?”

“I think it suits you.”

“Th-Tha—”

“Tha?”

“Thanks, I mean.”

“Haha, what was that answer?”

…I could never say, “Wanna smell it again?”—so instead, we just chuckled and let our eyes drift naturally to the TV screen.

The temperature at Sandown Park in the UK is twenty-three degrees. Chantilly in France has clear skies, but over there it’s cloudy. Maybe it’s the lingering effect of the earlier drizzle, but for Jarajara-chan, the slightly heavy track is shaping up to be a headwind.

“Kayf Tara’s great on heavy turf, so today’s run might be a solid benchmark.”

“Yeah... she’s a monster on bad ground. Apollo’s still untested on European turf, so ideally we wouldn’t want rain during our race…”

It’s going to be a tough battle for a Japanese-born Uma Musume—that’s what Tomio didn’t say aloud, but he was definitely thinking it.

Sandown Park’s turf is known to be among the heaviest in Europe, so even a mildly soft track can be harsh for Japanese competitors. Still, jumping straight into the Gold Cup as the main event during an overseas expedition is a huge gamble. Jarajara-chan probably chose the Henry II Stakes as a step, to test whether she’s suited to this turf.

Whether the grass suits her. Whether her racing style fits. Whether the climate agrees with her. Trying to find all that out during the real thing would be reckless. Without some kind of evidence or reasoning, going in blind like that would be almost unheard of.

As I checked the finish on the nails Jordan-senpai gave me, I let the TV screen sit at the edge of my vision. Since it was still the pre-race coverage, most of the airtime was being filled with background info on the runners and idle chatter between commentators—but almost all of it was stuff my trainer and I had already gathered ourselves. I mean, if you’re aiming for this year’s Stayers’ Million, that’s basic knowledge. It left a lot of dead air for me.

“I had a chance to talk with Jarajara’s trainer a while back.”

Maybe sensing my boredom, Tomio spoke up.

“He told me, crystal clear—‘Jarajara will win.’”

“…Isn’t it normal for a trainer to believe in their Uma Musume?”

“No. That trainer’s usually very grounded—for better or worse. I’ve never heard him say it that strongly before.”

“So, Jarajara-chan…”

“…Yeah. She’s probably here with a full-on strategy to take down Kaiftara. And if that blunt, straight-laced trainer is confidently claiming she’ll win... then maybe—just maybe—it won’t be Kaiftara who comes out on top today.”

No way. You really think Jarajara can beat Kayf Tara? I know how strong that girl is. She’s the one who blew past me when I tried to set a world record pace. She’s got both explosive closing speed and an unshakable stamina reserve. And that was back when she was—in a slump. Her heart was worn thin, and she hadn’t awakened yet. But now? She’s fully awakened. You can see it in her eyes—her core hasn’t dulled one bit. Which means she’s gotten stronger. If they’re just reusing their Dubai tactics against this Kaiftara, they don’t stand a chance. Do they even get that?

I stopped listening to Tomio. All these feelings swirled inside me—disbelief, giddy anticipation, and this awful, twisted little hope that maybe it won’t be her. That hope drowned out the part of me that should be cheering on a fellow Japanese Uma Musume.

――Lose.

Let Kayf Tara crush her. Make her taste despair too.

“…Tch.”

…This is the worst. I shouldn’t be thinking things like this. This isn’t the kind of darkness I ever wanted to carry into a race. I wanted to compete in a way that drives us all to improve—positive competition that lifts everyone up.

But maybe now, what I’m hoping for is negative competition. Dragging others down so that I can climb up by default. Let Kayf Tara fall. Let Angely fall. Let everyone except me fall. That ugly thought had taken root inside me.

…This isn’t right. I know it isn’t.

But still—I do believe that I’m the one who’s supposed to beat Kayf Tara.

Everyone out there is racing because they crave victory. In Dubai, when Seattle Charming pushed the pace, it turned out to be one of the key reasons I lost. That bitter memory still stings. I messed up in Dubai. Everything went wrong. I probably would’ve lost even without her interference, but I didn’t get to run a version of that race without her. So it festers. A memory that will always eat at me.

I couldn’t create a proper one-on-one situation—and I lost. Maybe that’s why I’m resenting Jarajara for entering this race, where there are no escape-type Uma Musume.

『Now let’s take a look at the starting lineup for the Henry II Stakes.』

『Only one front-runner today: Jarajara. That means the Japanese challenger alone will be dictating the pace.』

1 - Kayf Tara（カイフタラ）: Closer. Recent record: 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, 1 unplaced. Major wins: G1 Irish St. Leger, G1 Gold Cup, G2 Dubai Gold Cup, among others.

2 - T.V. Ink（ティービーインク）: Mid-pack runner. Recent record: 1-3-0-0. Notable win: Open class allowance race.

3 - Stargrass Julian（スターグラスジュリアン）: Mid-pack runner. Recent record: 0-0-1-3. Notable finish: Placed in open class races.

4 - Love way Mirror（ラブウェイミラー）: Front-runner. Recent record: 0-2-1-1. Best results in open class races.

5 - Tiny Reason（タイニーリーズン）: Mid-pack runner. Recent record: 0-0-3-1. Mainly competes in open class races.

6 - Jara Jara（ジャラジャラ）: Pacesetter. Recent record: 3-0-0-1. Major wins: G2 Hanshin Daishoten, G3 Diamond Stakes, and more.

7 - Garden Charger（ガーデンチャージャー）: Front-runner. Recent record: 1-0-0-3. Only win came in a maiden race.

8 - Daytime Turban（デイタイムターバン）: Mid-pack runner. Recent record: 0-2-2-0. Still seeking first win; consistent in maiden races.

9 - Your Yesterday（ユアイエスタデイ）: Closer. Recent record: 1-1-1-1. Major win: G3 Prix de Royaumont.

10 - Fujiyama Legacy（フジヤマレガシー）: Front-runner. Recent record: 1-1-0-2. Maiden winner.

11 - Working Music（ワーキングミュージック）: Front-runner. Recent record: 0-2-0-2. Notable performances include G3 Gazelle Stakes.

12 - Bank Sight（バンクサイト）: Closer. Recent record: 0-0-0-4. Still winless in maiden races.

13 - Zone Espresso（ゾーンエスプレッソ）: Mid-pack runner. Recent record: 1-0-1-2. Major win: G3 Red Sea Turf Handicap.

14 - Golden Nedawi（ゴールデンネダウィ）: Front-runner. Recent record: 0-4-0-0. Best result: Multiple runner-up finishes in G3 Ormonde Stakes.

――None of the runners are escape-type Uma Musume, aside from Jarajara-chan.

In the end, I couldn’t shake off the emotions that were unbecoming of a proper competitor. With a delicate tangle of guilt and anticipation, anxiety and hope swirling inside me, the paddock finally began.

Kayf Tara-san looked composed in the paddock, though she didn’t seem to be in peak condition. She was doing well—maybe just average—but clearly gearing up toward her best form for the Gold Cup.

Jarajara-chan, on the other hand—she didn’t seem to be at her absolute best either. But she was close. Looking solidly sharp, almost in peak condition. It seemed both of them were aiming to hit their stride at the Gold Cup. In terms of form, Jarajara-chan might have a slight edge.

“Who do you think’ll win, Apollo? …Wait, never mind, that’s a tough question, huh. You’re on good terms with both Kayf Tara and Jarajara…”

“…No doubt, the one getting the tightest mark this race will be Kayf Tara-san. But she’s really good at shaking off markers… So I guess it all depends on how well-prepared Jarajara-chan is to counter her.”

“Ohh, I think so too.”

Kayf Tara-san is a master at avoiding marks and pressure. Back in the Dubai Gold Cup, when pressure was applied, she deliberately dropped all the way back to the rear, calmly running far away from the others. As if to say, I’ll just blow past them all later anyway, so it’s no problem. It was a countermeasure beyond all reason. The others couldn’t slow their pace without falling behind the flow, so in the end they just let her go free.

Kayf Tara-san always comes up with countermeasures that defy conventional thinking. It’s all on how well Jarajara-chan understands her opponent.

Europe doesn’t have fanfares, so after the paddock showing comes the return walk, and then the gate entry. While we were tossing around predictions, the 14 Uma Musume began their return walks. Since they transition seamlessly into the next phase, casual fans might get left behind without the commentary.

When the 14 Uma Musume slowly gathered near the gate, the commentator’s voice kicked in, and the gate entries began.

『Kayf Tara, the favorite from the innermost gate, enters the gate to a chorus of cheers.』

『After taking two months off following her last race at the Dubai Gold Cup, this marks her European debut this season. She’s already earned the right to challenge for the Stayers Million, so this race is likely just a prep run.』

Maybe it’s because the start line is just before the finish post, but the cheers through the broadcast are loud. There’s a stand near the finish post, and the camera seemed to shake with the sound. Kayf Tara-san didn’t flinch. Her face was pure nothingness.

…Probably, even if you were there in person, you wouldn’t feel any fighting spirit from her. That eerie calm is another one of her weapons.

『Gate six, second favorite Jarajara is now entering.』

『From our perspective, she’s the biggest unknown in this field. All her wins so far have come in long-distance races over 3000 meters. Will her talents as a stayer bloom in Europe too? Let’s keep an eye on her.』

A short distance away, Jarajara-chan entered the sixth gate. Even a glance made it obvious—she was brimming with fighting spirit. Unlike her rival Kaifutara-san, her strength lies in running with her emotions fully on display.

Once all the Uma Musume were in the gate, a buzz ran through the stands. Everyone was waiting with bated breath. Tomio and I swallowed our spit and clasped our hands together in the trainer’s room, now completely silent. And then—

『The Henry II Stakes is underway!』

With a metallic clang, the gates flew open and the Henry II Stakes began. The thunder of heavy horseshoes erupted as the Uma Musume charged forward through the pastoral landscape.

They ran just past the fans gathered on the infield, separated only by the rail. With the wide-angle shot, the inner rail looked oddly warped compared to Japan’s. I should be focusing on the race, but the quirks of the broadcast kept pulling me in.

『At the front is second favorite Jarajara, setting a blazing pace and taking control of the race! Behind her, the rest of the field is tightly packed, battling for position. The favorite, Kayf Tara, and the third favorite Golden Nedawi are stuck in the rear scramble!』

As predicted, Jarajara bolted from the pack and took the lead. Despite drawing the ideal innermost gate, Kayf Tara deliberately moved to the very back to avoid pressure and tricks.

Since no one had a poor start, the others lined up evenly behind Jarajara. She smoothly extended her stride and solidified her lead, entering the first corner at a leisurely pace.

『They pass the 600-meter mark, with Jarajara leading a pack of thirteen into the first corner. The fight for position in the chasing group seems to have settled—there’s not much movement.』

『But wait, third favorite Golden Nedawi is looking uncomfortable. Kayf Tara, the favorite, is in last place—thirteenth—about two lengths behind, but she’s definitely feeling the pressure.』

“…Tomio, do you see any moves from Jarajara-chan? You think… her countermeasure has already started? Maybe I just missed it, but I can’t really tell…”

“…Me neither. No clue at this point.”

Tomio looked down at his stopwatch and said, “It’s a little on the slow side, but that’s just how Sandown Park is. It’s a course that takes time,” before turning his eyes back to the screen. The weight of the turf directly affects race times, and Sandown Park—being relatively heavy even for European standards—tends to yield slower finishes.

With so many variables in play, it’s hard to make a simple comparison. But for the Henry II Stakes, which spans 3300 meters, it usually finishes around 3 minutes and 40 seconds. With today’s slightly soft turf, it wouldn’t be surprising if it took even longer.

『They’ve rounded the second corner and entered the backstretch. The pace remains relaxed overall. Golden Nedawi seems to be struggling under the pressure, but second favorite Jarajara is running free in front, and favorite Kaifutara is holding back at the rear—no big changes yet.』

『They’re clearly aware of each other, but this isn’t like the races with a runaway leader—it feels much more tight and composed.』

After climbing a slope and rounding the twelfth corner, they reached the straight descent of the backstretch. About 1300 meters had passed by now—one-third of the race—and yet, there was no sign of the Kaifutara countermeasure that Jarajara’s trainer had boasted about. It was just a normal race. Which meant… Kayf Tara had brought it into her usual winning pattern.

—Jarajara’s going to lose. No, she should lose. Just like that. Without even showing a proper countermeasure against Kayf Tara, she’ll end up handing me the perfect chance for a satisfying revenge. The moment I thought that, a nasty smile tugged at my lips.

And that smile appeared just as—

The trainer next to me suddenly shouted.

“—Ah, aaah!?”

My tail shot up, thinking he’d caught my awful expression—but his eyes were fixed on the stopwatch.

“W-What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“N-No… Apollo, I figured it out. Jarajara’s Kayf Tara countermeasure—”

『Whoa!? Kayf Tara’s expression just twisted! Is she angry? She’s shaking her head and glaring ahead! Almost like she’s looking for someone beyond the crowd—but—』

『…Is she glaring at Jarajara? Either way, it’s a rare reaction from her.』

—Kayf Tara's expression… twisted? That monster who didn’t even twitch back in Dubai?

What the hell’s happening at Sandown Park? I glued myself to the TV screen. Unlike the flustered commentators, Tomio’s voice remained calm as he laid it all out.

“At the 1200-meter mark, the pace was slow. If they keep this up for the full 3300 meters, they’ll clock over four minutes. And since they hit the downhill stretch, the pace has slowed even more… Jarajara is exploiting Kaifutara’s habits to lock her down.”

“W-What do you mean?”

“When you speed up on a downhill, it eats extra stamina. So most runners instinctively slow down there. But Jarajara’s using that, slowing the pace even more than necessary. That means just trying to return to a normal pace from this current sloooow pace will cost the trailing group precious extra seconds. And even in a long-distance race, in a final-stretch battle, the ones in front always have the edge…”

“…No one else has noticed. Isn’t that bad? Kayf Tara-san’s the only one agitated. She probably realizes the pace is off.”

“Kayf Tara avoids the pack to avoid pressure. That’s why she could see it. But now she has no choice but to match the pace of the others, slowing down around her. Because she doesn’t want to feel pressured. …She’s going to have to stick with this flow until the latter half of the race, and I bet that’s putting her under serious stress.”

Going down a hill at a slow pace is the natural thing to do. Jarajara took advantage of that fact, deliberately—deliberately slowing down her pace.

The other Uma Musume in the race didn’t notice. There was no way they could catch on to a delay of mere fractions of a second accumulating over time. But Kayf Tara, with her delicate senses, picked up on it. And more than anything, that monster was clearly irritated by the pace Jarajara had orchestrated. That reality gnawed at her, painfully and relentlessly.

I’m being shown—over and over—what I can’t do. Slow-pace race management, manipulating the chasing pack, psychological warfare beneath conscious awareness—Jarajara’s race plan seemed to sneer at me, as if saying, You couldn’t pull this off, and the despair was crushing.

(――…Damn it… lose already…)

The memories of past failures, and the race of a rival where everything was going perfectly. As they approached the latter part of the backstretch, Jarajara glanced back at the trailing group. I thought she was about to make another move—and sure enough, she used the final downhill stretch to steadily build up speed.

It was obvious what she intended next. A further deceleration. By creating a rhythm of slow → fast → slow, she was trying to implant a thought in the mid-pack horses: She just sped up, so if I catch up to her now, I’ll be overpacing myself.

And in fact, the effect was immediate. The horses behind her, having been lulled into thinking Jarajara’s slow pace was the norm, made no effort to chase her despite the increasing gap. Even though her current pace was only slightly faster than average.

There was no front-runner in this race, no pacemaker to keep things steady—and that worked in her favor. The horses near the front but behind Jarajara didn’t want to take on the burden of leading the middle group. The result? A slowdown even Jarajara hadn’t foreseen—

When they hit the third corner, the gap between Jarajara and second place had stretched to seven lengths. The gap between Jarajara and Kayf Tara? Fifteen.

『They pass the 1200-meter marker, and the atmosphere at Sandown Park Racecourse is turning bizarre! No way, no way—Jarajara is holding a massive lead and keeping the slow pace as she rounds the final corner!! The horses in pursuit are trying to unleash their finishing kicks, but the sharp turn in the final corner is making it hard to pick up speed!! Was this all part of Jarajara’s plan!? Kayf Tara is still struggling at the back!! She’s finally shaken off the pressure, but now the spread-out pack trying to surge ahead is acting as a wall!!』

Hey, hey. What are you doing, Kayf Tara? Why are you playing right into Jarajara’s hands!? With that kind of finishing speed, you could blow through the outside and shatter this whole flow! Is that curve really so harsh? Or are you just avoiding the big outer push? Either way—move! Hurry up and climb!! If you lose to anyone other than me, I won’t forgive you. I absolutely won’t forgive you—

I clenched my fists and ground my teeth. Ugly thoughts I didn’t want to speak were spiraling in my head. All I could muster were curses, wishing for someone else’s failure.

Kayf Tara—struggling in this ultra-slow pace. She hated the pressure from the other racers and hesitated until the last possible moment to make her move. But she’d let too many disadvantages pile up. Her opponent, Jarajara, had created a fifteen-length gap by the third corner. It was a complete contrast to my race at the Dubai Gold Cup, and the dissonance was tearing my heart apart.

I want Japanese Uma Musume to win a lot overseas. And Kayf Tara is my friend and rival, so of course I want her to keep getting good results in races. —But I don’t want her to lose to anyone except me. I want her to be invincible—except against me.

So what do I do? Which feeling do I follow?

The frenzy inside the TV and the turmoil outside the screen mixed into a chaotic storm.

The gap that opened before the first corner was seven lengths. The distance to Kayf Tara remained at fifteen. Just over 800 meters left. At this rate, Jarajara’s going to win. She’s going to win. More than that—she’s going to leave everyone in the dust.

No. Tell me that’s a lie. I should be the one to first stain Kayf Tara’s perfect record. Only me. No one else. Win, Kayf Tara. Bring down Jarajara. Hurry—release me from this torment.

With that spiteful wish in my heart, I stared at the screen hard enough to burn a hole through it.

And then I saw it. I saw it.

Jarajara, leading the pack, was letting out a roar—writhing in absolute agony.

And then I heard her voice from Sandown Park. It couldn’t have been real—but it was too raw, too vivid. It shook my eardrums with blinding force.

“I won’t lose…! I won’t lose to anyone but Apollo Rainbow!! I—I’m gonna become the strongest stayer, one that surpasses Apollo Rainbow!!”

Seeing her struggle so desperately inside the screen—

Something overlapped.

That straight, pitifully honest determination to never give up.

Facing an overwhelmingly powerful enemy, and throwing everything you have at them to try and win—

That was me. The me from some time ago.

The one who knew I was weak—and still clung on with all I had. That other version of me.

…Damn it.

I get it. I get it, okay?

I really want Kayf Tara to win.

But—

“Ah… go—go for it—”

Seeing someone run with that much pain in their expression, giving it their all—how could I not cheer for her?

“Go for it, Jarajara—!”

My mouth moved on its own.

Seeing her run, coughing up blood on the path to her dream, it stirred a passion so intense it blew away all my petty, pathetic feelings—

“Goooo, Jarajara-chan!! Leave them all in the dust!!”

“You can do it, you’ve got this!! Fire up, Jarajara!!”

Tomio and I clenched our fists and forced our voices out of our throats. In the trainer’s room with just the two of us, we were completely immersed in the frenzy shown through the TV. The deafening cheers from the Sundown Park Racecourse felt like they were right next to us. Thanks to Jarajara’s spectacular sprint, we were so absorbed that all the small details no longer mattered.

800 meters remaining. They had entered the final stretch, and Kayf Tara faced forward. A bay-haired horse girl weaving through the pack—had finally exploded with her finishing kick.

『Rounding the final corner and into the home stretch!! Kayf Tara is finally making her move!! Jarajara is trying to hold the lead, Kayf Tara is closing in—13 lengths between them!! Can she close that gap in the remaining 800 meters!?』

But—there was no way Kayf Tara would let her escape without a fight. Dodging the slowing horses with elegant footwork, she displayed godlike acceleration. It couldn’t be measured from the broadcast footage, but that was almost certainly Kayf Tara’s “Unknown Domain Zone.”

Unlike at the Dubai Gold Cup, this was a perfected version of her “Unknown Domain Zone.” Her surge was so explosive that the distance between her and Jarajara shrank before our eyes.

It wasn’t just Kayf Tara accelerating. Jarajara’s pace was dropping. In other words—she was getting tired. Though Kayf Tara was speeding up and Jarajara was slowing down, there were still 10 lengths between them—

“Crap, Jarajara-chan’s pace is—!!”

“It’s the long uphill slope in the home stretch—it’s killing her speed!! Come on, Jarajara, push through with guts!!”

Once they passed the 500-meter mark, the Sundown Park Racecourse bared its fangs. From 800 to 500 meters out, the uphill slope had an incline of about 1.7%. But from 500 meters onward, it became a brutal 2.4% incline.

That’s an even steeper grade than the sharpest slope in Japan’s Nakayama Racecourse. At Nakayama, the steepest 90-meter incline is 2.2%. But at Sundown Park, they must climb an unforgiving 2.4% grade—for a whole 500 meters. The numbers alone are enough to show how harsh it is.

That’s why Japanese and European races are completely different beasts. In Japan, you run on a course. In Europe, you run over hills. Japanese turf is neatly trimmed. European turf is deep, lush, and quietly drains stamina from every step the horse girls take.

Jarajara was now being swallowed by that very difference.

『With 400 meters remaining, Jarajara lets out a deep breath!! She’s at her limit—or no, not yet!! She’s still hanging in there!! But Kaiftara is now within four lengths of her—!!』

“Hang in there, Jarajara-chan!!”

“Hang in there!! Blast a hole through Europe while you’re at it!!”

400 meters left. The brutal slope—far worse than anything at Nakayama—mercilessly sapped Jarajara’s stamina and resolve. As a result, the once-massive gap at the start of the home stretch had shrunk to just four lengths.

Still, Jarajara’s expression showed no hint of surrender. Even as she was being cornered, she held firm with fierce determination. There were still four lengths—enough to cling to hope.

That’s when it happened.

An incomprehensible, abnormal event.

“Eh?”

“What?”

『Jarajara still hangi—wait, what!?』

300 meters remaining.

—Kayf Tara had taken the lead by 3 meters....

Everyone was stunned. Me, the trainer, the commentators—and even Jarajara on the screen—none of us could grasp what had just happened.

It was so unreal it looked like a hallucination—but that was her finishing kick.

Kayf Tara's—ridiculous—finishing—kick.

Her true monster stride unleashed in awakening—“Unknown Domain Zone.”

That burst of speed she showed at the end of the final corner? That was just the beginning of her charge. That was just her ordinary finishing kick. What had just activated now—was the awakened beast’s true Unknown Domain Zone. Acceleration so intense it resembled teleportation—

“No way... that’s impossible—”

The trainer’s dumbfounded voice left a strangely deep impression.

And as that shock shook Sundown Park to its core—

『GOOOAAAALLLL!! And in the end—an overwhelming victory!! A dominating final-stretch charge that perfectly embodied what it means to be a champion!! The ultimate stayer, Kayf Tara, triumphs by 7 lengths, living up to her top billing!! A second straight Gold Cup title is now well within her grasp!! She’s ready to face off against Apollo Rainbow and Angely!!』

—The G3 Henry II Stakes came to a close, leaving behind an unforgettable impression of Kayf Tara’s invincibility.