Chapter 71. Teio and McQueen's Plans for Next Year
In the days leading up to the race, media experts' predictions for the Nassau Stakes were remarkably consistent. No one believed that any other Uma Musume could defeat Mejiro Dober.
"It's hard to imagine who among this field could defeat the Uma Musume who has won the Yorkshire Oaks twice on this track."
"It's difficult to guess why Mejiro Dober chose this race instead of the Yorkshire Oaks. Frankly, even the more prestigious Yorkshire Oaks would struggle to find an Uma Musume to contend with Mejiro Dober, let alone the Nassau Stakes."
The Nassau Stakes, founded over 150 years ago, was named by the fifth Duke of Richmond, a former owner of Goodwood Racecourse, to commemorate his family's friendship with the Dutch Royal House of Nassau.
Today, it serves as the main event on the third day of the five-day Glorious Goodwood running festival.
"It's a shame Dober will be focusing on painting next year. Otherwise, Rice would definitely come here to challenge the Goodwood Cup, the main event of the Glorious Goodwood festival, at this time next year."
Shuta muttered to himself, looking out the window on the way back to Ascot with Tokai Teio.
"I can come next year!" Teio said with a smile. "But what are the main events of this five-day Glorious Goodwood festival?"
"There aren't main events every day."
Shuta shook his head.
"Fourteen graded races will be held over these five days, including the G1 main events: the 3200-meter Goodwood Cup on opening day—which is the race I plan to enter Rice Shower in next year—the 1600-meter Sussex Stakes on turf held on the second day, and the Nassau Stakes on the third day."
"In that case, it seems I can only enter the Sussex Stakes." Tokai Teio stuck out her tongue. "The first race is a bit long, and Ann won't enter me nor will he let me clash with Rice's schedule. The third race is for the Triple Tiara Route, so I can't run it."
"Actually, it's not necessary to run here."
Shuta, feeling Tokai Teio's body temperature from his hand, continued.
"If Teio wants to, she can challenge the Epsom Derby again next year, or run the earlier Eclipse Stakes—though running that race would mean giving up the Takarazuka Kinen."
"I don't plan to run the Takarazuka Kinen or the Epsom Derby next year." Tokai Teio looked at her Trainer. "And the Dubai Sheema Classic as well."
"You don't plan to go back to races you've already won, is that what you mean?"
Shuta immediately understood the Undefeated Triple Crown's unspoken meaning.
"Yes, for my first race of the year, I want the Dubai Turf. Then I'll return home to rest a bit and come directly to England to prepare for the Royal Ascot Week races—Oguri-senpai has described her experience at Royal Ascot Week to me, and I'm very much looking forward to experiencing it myself."
"Then it's natural to go to the Eclipse Stakes, then the British International Stakes, followed by the Irish Champion Stakes. If we win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe this year, next year we'll go to the British Champion Stakes, then return home—"
Shuta paused.
"No matter what, the Arima Kinen as a retirement race is a given, right?"
"I really like this schedule." Tokai Teio leaned on her lover's shoulder. "Let's decide on this."
—
"Never going to America once, American media will probably complain—'We were the ones who first had high hopes for Tokai Teio,'"
The young man mimicked the tone of American reporters, amusing Tokai Teio.
"Eh heh heh, then going to the Breeder's Cup is fine too. It's just that Dober-senpai has already won the Turf Classic and such, so how about trying dirt?"
Teio suddenly came up with a new idea.
"Let's skip dirt." Shuta's mouth twitched. "I'm not saying this, but Teio, you should know yourself that you don't have the leg type to run on dirt like Kurofune."
"Sigh, Kurofune-chan can run on both turf and dirt, it's so enviable."
Tokai Teio let out a dramatic sigh.
"Kurofune-chan envies Teio for becoming an Undefeated Triple Crown."
Shuta flicked her forehead.
"She can't really run races longer than 2400 meters."
"Kurofune-chan hasn't even fully developed yet, so how did Ann make that judgment?"
Teio tilted her head. Before the young man could explain, she quickly added.
"But it's not surprising, Ann's eye for Uma Musume is famously sharp."
"This might be hereditary? Or a blessing from the three goddesses."
Shuta replied vaguely.
"I think it's both."
Tokai Teio became quite serious when the topic of the three goddesses came up. One could say every Uma Musume would be like this.
"Ann must be a person blessed by the three goddesses, otherwise everyone in Team Sadalsuud wouldn't have been so smooth all this time. Although there are occasional unexpected events, they are always able to overcome them well."
The Undefeated Triple Crown expressed her true inner thoughts.
Shuta thought of the voice from heaven he had heard that time and did not disagree with Tokai Teio's statement.
"Perhaps it really is like that."
"Sigh, then if I stick close to Ann, will I be able to get some of the three goddesses' blessings?"
Teio's eyes flashed pink, and her moist breath brushed against the young man's neck.
"Please take care of me tonight!"
—
Mejiro Dober, who was left alone in the hotel near Goodwood Racecourse, took a bath and went to bed early, but she couldn't fall asleep.
She looked at her phone, waiting for her lover, who had arrived in Ascot, to send a message confirming his safety.
During this time, Mejiro Dober also chatted with her peers at home.
Mejiro McQueen, who was recovering from an injury, frankly expressed her envy for Tokai Teio.
"Teio has achieved great success overseas, while I haven't even performed well in races within Japan."
"That's not McQueen's fault." Mejiro Dober comforted her peer. "After all, Teio was trained by Ann even before she had fully developed."
Mejiro McQueen looked at Mejiro Dober's reply, a thought flashing through her mind.
"If only back then..."
But she quickly extinguished that thought.
"Thinking that way is disrespectful to everyone in Team Spica, and I've successfully won the Spring Tenno Sho twice here, fulfilling my grandmother's and family's long-cherished wish. I should be content."
Although she thought this, Mejiro McQueen still couldn't calm down whenever she saw various reports about Tokai Teio's European expedition.
"Perhaps I should also consider venturing overseas next year? Like the Melbourne Cup…"
She clenched her fist.
"I'll discuss it with my Trainer later."
—
While Mejiro McQueen pondered her plans for next year, Mejiro Dober received a message from Shuta An confirming his safety. Content, she closed her eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.