Chapter 120. Stance
After crossing the finish line, Shuta An quickly reined in Tokai Teio and turned him around, slowly guiding him toward the stands.
After steadying himself in the saddle, the young man smiled and waved toward the audience before heading in the direction of the underground passage.
On the way there, Yutaka Take, riding Hishi Masaru, moved alongside him and lowered his voice. "San-ei Thank You has withdrawn from the race."
"I knew it." Shuta An let out a quiet sigh. "I just hope it isn't serious."
"It's difficult…" Yutaka Take shook his head. "I think it's a fracture with a poor prognosis. Ann-san, don't comment on this later. No matter what, we're only jockeys. The Horse Owners' decisions aren't something we can publicly criticize."
"I understand."
The young man answered casually, but he understood very clearly that Yutaka Take was looking out for him. After all, the Horse Owners stood on the same side more often than not. If he publicly criticized San-ei Thank You' Horse Owner, it would very likely trigger backlash and even provoke collective resistance from other Horse Owners.
After all, the social strata were different.
Shuta An understood that as well.
"But I don't want to be an indifferent bystander—"
He muttered softly to himself.
Just as Shuta An and Tokai Teio reached the entrance to the underground passage, Tahara Seiki, who did not have a mount in this year's Arima Kinen but was still competing at Nakayama Racecourse, hurried past them.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it!"
Not only Shuta An, but nearly everyone nearby could hear Tahara Seiki's incessant muttering.
"I said it long ago! Trainer Sato said it long ago! Everyone said it!"
Everyone knew Tahara Seiki was rushing to see San-ei Thank You, and everyone understood exactly what he was furious about.
For a long time, Tahara Seiki had advocated for San-ei Thank You to rest. He had even offended reporters and stirred up controversy because of it. Before the Arima Kinen, San-ei Thank You' Trainer, Sato Katsumi, had also publicly stated that he did not want San-ei Thank You to be forced into running the race.
Even the Groom responsible for San-ei Thank You had cried while pleading with the Horse Owner:
"If she runs in the Arima Kinen, it's over."
But the Horse Owner had remained stubborn.
All of these things had already become public knowledge before the Arima Kinen began.
Before dismounting, Shuta An turned to look at Tahara Seiki's retreating figure.
"If my main horse were put in that situation—"
Just imagining it caused a trace of sorrow to rise within him.
"Damn it!!! I'll confront that idiotic Horse Owner later."
Shuta An's expression darkened with anger.
Matsumoto Shoichi noticed the young man's somber expression and immediately asked with concern, "Shuta-kun, are you feeling unwell today?"
"I'm fine."
Shuta An snapped back to reality and shook his head.
"Teio's physical condition today was probably only around eighty-five percent of his peak, but mentally, he was likely in the best state he's ever been. Winning against Mejiro Palmer by two and a half lengths was honestly beyond my expectations."
"It's good that we won." Matsumoto Shoichi gave a relieved smile. "Even though Tokai Teio is already a historic-level champion at the moment, I still get nervous before every race."
"Now he can finally rest."
Shuta An paused briefly before continuing:
"What did the Horse Owner say about my previous suggestion regarding an expedition to Australia?"
"I mentioned it recently, and he seemed somewhat interested." Matsumoto Shoichi nodded. "I also think it's suitable. After all, if he stays in Japan during the first half of the year, only the Takarazuka Kinen is relatively appropriate for him."
Unlike the original timeline, after confirming Tokai Teio's less-than-ideal long-distance adaptability during the Kikuka Sho, Matsumoto Shoichi no longer insisted on having Tokai Teio participate in the Spring Tenno Sho.
"If he really goes, we could contact the Australian Trainer who participated in this year's Japan Cup and ask them to help promote it locally."
Shuta An continued. "Maybe the local racing club would even proactively send an invitation. That could save a considerable amount on expedition expenses."
"I'll handle it." Matsumoto Shoichi nodded without hesitation.
He did not think the young man was overstepping his boundaries. When it came to overseas expeditions, the jockey standing before him was already the more experienced in this case.
"I'm heading to the interviews now, Trainer Matsumoto."
Shuta An bowed slightly.
"I'll go first."
"Go ahead, Shuta-kun. I'll also have interviews later." Matsumoto Shoichi waved his hand. "If they ask about future race plans or similar matters, just push everything onto me."
"Understood."
Shuta An nodded before turning away.
Upon arriving at the interview area, he was immediately surrounded by reporters.
The young man nearly spoke out of habit from his previous world, but fortunately caught himself in time. Holding the microphone, he calmly listened to the reporters' questions.
"After winning the Arima Kinen with Tokai Teio today, Shuta-kun has secured this year's champion jockey title, making it three consecutive championships. What are your thoughts?"
"This year was difficult," Shuta An answered honestly.
"I'm very happy to have achieved results in both the Classic and older horse divisions. Tokai Teio, as an undefeated Triple Crown champion, also proved his strength during his older horse season. Overall, I'm satisfied with my own performance this year, and I hope to achieve even better results next year."
"This time, Tokai Teio adopted a senko strategy. Was that planned beforehand?"
"It was a last-minute decision." Shuta An shook his head lightly. "I only decided after seeing Mejiro Palmer take control of the pace."
"Has Tokai Teio's next race already been decided?"
"That matter is still being discussed by Trainer Matsumoto, so I can't publicly disclose it yet." The young man smiled faintly. "But no matter where he races next, Tokai Teio won't disappoint her fans."
"Who do you favor in next year's Classic division?"
"In the colts' Classic line, Biwa Hayahide feels extremely strong."
Shuta An paused for a moment.
"As for the fillies—"
He suddenly thought about his chain of quests, and then calmly delivered a shocking statement.
"The protagonist of next year's Triple Tiara line will debut the week after next."
"The week after next?"
The reporters immediately became alert. They all knew Shuta An's scheduled Maiden Race mounts for the following weeks, and after quickly reviewing the list in their minds, they instantly identified the horse he was referring to.
"Is it Vega?" one reporter immediately asked.
"Yes." Shuta An nodded openly. "Vega will become one of the protagonists of this generation's Triple Tiara."
"Please look forward to her Maiden Race."
When the final reporter raised another question, Shuta An knew the moment he had been waiting for had finally arrived.
"Shuta-kun, what do you think about your opponents in this year's Arima Kinen?"
The smile on the young man's face gradually disappeared.
His expression turned serious.
After sweeping his gaze across the surrounding reporters, he spoke slowly in an earnest tone:
"Everyone worked extremely hard today. It can be said that every jockey gave everything they had."
"But while we celebrate Tokai Teio's victory, we should not forget that there was also a participant in this Arima Kinen who withdrew from the race."
The reporters instantly became excited.
Although it sounded somewhat crude, they had indeed been waiting for Shuta An to bring up San-ei Thank You. The moment San-ei Thank You collapsed, the media had swarmed like sharks smelling blood, and Shuta An was undoubtedly the best breakthrough point in their eyes.
Shuta An himself understood this clearly.
But he also knew that if he wanted his words to spread, these reporters who feasted upon bloody stories were indispensable.
Suppressing the disgust in his heart, he continued:
"I understand that the JRA cannot directly limit race frequency, and I also understand that to many people, racehorses are merely economic animals."
"But to me, they are partners."
"I cannot accept a situation where a horse carrying a hidden leg injury is still forced to continue racing. It's true that San-ei Thank You has never cooperated with me, and I am only an outsider in this matter."
Shuta An slowly clenched his fist.
"But I cannot guarantee that something like this won't happen to my own partners in the future. If we stay silent for San-ei Thank You today, are we supposed to watch inappropriate race scheduling gradually spread to other horses tomorrow?"
The young man gritted his teeth, indignation filling his face.
"I cannot represent anyone else. I can only represent myself. I refuse to ride any racehorse owned by San-ei Thank You' Horse Owner."
"And I hope the JRA can strengthen supervision regarding racehorse safety, so that tragedies like this will never happen again at festivals such as the Arima Kinen. I don't want to see someone as devoted to racehorses as Senior Tahara get hurt."
"I don't want to see reporters like Sankei Sports' Masaharu Mito continue spreading rumors while disregarding the truth and slandering good people. And I don't want to compete against opponents who are not in proper condition."
Shuta An's fists tightened further.
"Originally, I was extremely happy today. But after hearing about San-ei Thank You' fracture, and after seeing Senior Tahara crying as he rushed toward the Racecourse—"
"I couldn't feel happy anymore."
"If we truly want to preserve the positive image of the racing industry, then incidents like today must never happen again!"
At the end of his speech, Shuta An lowered his head and shouted those final words with force.
The reporter from Yushun magazine, who had always maintained a good relationship with the young man, stared at him for a long moment before quietly asking:
"Shuta-kun…do you realize how many people you're going to offend with these words?"
"I know."
Shuta An looked up again, forcing out a faint smile.
"Horse Owners. Reporters. JRA officials."
"A lot of people will think I'm meddlesome. They'll think I'm young and reckless, and from today onward, many people will probably want to suppress me."
Then his tone suddenly changed.
"But I'm not afraid. Because I have a way out. If there's no place left for me in Japan, I can go to America. I can go to Europe."
"There are many top Trainers overseas willing to promise me a stable's main rider position. Because I have nothing to fear, I can say these things today without hesitation."
"Please publish all of my statements."
"I was not instructed by anyone."
"I'm only acting according to my conscience."
"And I will take responsibility for every word I said."
As he spoke, Shuta An raised his fist and struck his chest.
Including the Sankei Sports reporter, every reporter present lowered their heads slightly toward the young man.
"We will."
The Sankei Sports reporter who came to interview Shuta An today already despised Masaharu Mito's actions in maliciously slandering Tahara Seiki. With Shuta An's statement now in hand, it was as though he had obtained the perfect weapon for the internal conflict waiting back at the office.
After leaving Nakayama Racecourse, Yutaka Take quickly caught up with him.
"Ann-san, you've gone crazy!" he exclaimed. "You actually attacked a Horse Owner in front of the reporters?!"
"I was only speaking the truth."
Shuta An turned toward his friend.
"Shouldn't San-ei Thank You' Horse Owner, Iwasaki Yoshihisa, be criticized? Isn't it disgusting to force a horse to race despite knowing there's a serious injury risk?"
"Even if we take a step back—what if you, Take-san, were riding a horse prone to accidents, and something happened during the race that caused you to fall and suffer serious injuries? Would you really just swallow the consequences in silence?"
"But he's still a Horse Owner—" Yutaka Take frowned deeply.
As one of the two public faces currently being heavily promoted by the JRA, he had already become increasingly diplomatic in public matters and did not want to attract unnecessary controversy.
"I don't care." Shuta An shrugged. "You know very well that Trainers in Europe and America have already promised me positions as a stable's main rider."
"At worst, I'll just leave Japan. It's not as though I can only work here."
Yutaka Take let out a long sigh.
"I just hope things don't escalate to that extent."
After hesitating briefly, he added:
"When I get home, I'll ask my father to help mediate things within the industry."
"There's no need to trouble your father, Take-san." Shuta An waved both hands repeatedly. "I'll handle the trouble I stirred up myself."
At that moment, Yoshida Katsumi suddenly walked out from the side.
"That won't do." His voice was calm, yet firm.
"We will also speak up for Shuta-kun regarding this matter. Animal welfare is an issue the racing industry cannot ignore. Incidents like this are a severe blow to the industry's image, and in the long run, they will damage the industry's development itself."
"That is absolutely unacceptable for breeders like us."
Then Yoshida Katsumi calmly added:
"I can't guarantee anything else. But I can guarantee that Iwasaki Yoshihisa will never again purchase foals from Shadai."
After saying that, he lightly patted Shuta An's shoulder.
"Tomorrow is Christmas. Shuta-kun should enjoy Christmas properly first. The offspring of Sunday Silence and Oguri Cap are still waiting for you to ride them. We certainly don't want you leaving Japan for Europe or America."
Meanwhile, after seeing Shuta An's statements, Trainers and jockeys throughout the industry all developed differing opinions.
However, even those most opposed to his actions merely felt that he should not have publicly named and criticized San-ei Thank You' Horse Owner in front of reporters.
As for the incident itself, nearly everyone agreed on one thing:
Forcing a horse to run in the Arima Kinen after clear injury warnings had already appeared was simply inhumane.
Inside Sato Katsumi's stable, the Groom responsible for San-ei Thank You knelt at the stable entrance, crying as he shouted toward the others:
"Are you all going to wait until the horses under your care die on the Racecourse before you're willing to support Shuta-kun?!"
Iizuka Yoshitsugu silently watched the scene unfold before quietly speaking to his stable staff:
"Remember this moment. If there is ever a day when a horse in our stable is clearly uneasy, yet still forced to race—"
"You must wake me up. You absolutely must make sure I never forget what I saw today."
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