Chapter 131: The Cadran Prize in a Dream (Part 1)

If the Gold Cup is the race to crown the strongest stayer of the European summer, then the Cadran Prize is its autumn equivalent. Held at the ParisLongchamp Racecourse in France, this race boasts a history second only to the French Derby in the country.

The Cadran Prize is the main event on the opening day of Arc Week. Due to France’s unique climate, the track is often soft on race day.

On the topic of track conditions, there’s a well-known (and somewhat infamous) quirk about the local URA officials—they’re known to secretly sprinkle water over the turf on the morning of the race to shift conditions from good to slightly soft. This sometimes leads to horses pulling out of the race last-minute due to the heavier ground. For Japanese Uma Musume, who generally dislike muddy European tracks, this kind of thing isn’t exactly a joke...

This year, however, it rained the day before the Cadran Prize, meaning the watering crew had the day off. The race was officially declared to be on a heavy track. The sun shone brightly after the rain, and droplets clinging to the grass sparkled like jewels.

I hate heavy tracks—they make it hard to stretch your legs. Still, I’m glad the weather cleared up. Sunshine means the organizers can expand the outdoor seating area, and the usual parade can be held in full spectacle without worrying about the rain.

"...It's really about to begin."

With Tomio stepping out, I sat alone in the waiting room, sipping water in silence. There was only a little time left until the Cadran Prize. Even less until the paddock call.

Just then, the door made a light tapping sound. Tomio would’ve barged in without knocking, so it had to be someone else. But I was already dressed in my racing gear, so it probably wasn’t a staff member either.

Maybe… could it be Lumos-san? As I called out, “Come in~,” the door creaked open slowly.

Standing there was a small Uma Musume with bright, starry eyes—Yeats-chan.

"Oh, hey Yeats-chan! What’s up? Did you get lost?"

"Ah, no! Not at all... um, I have something I want to give you!"

"Ooh, what is it? Now I’m curious~"

Even though the race was just around the corner, I couldn’t help but smile. She’s as earnest as ever. I really do wish she were my little sister.

"T-This! Please wear it during the race!"

"This is... a shamrock charm?"

"Yes! It's the lucky plant that represents my homeland!"

The shamrock—also known as the three-leaf clover, or white clover.

It’s the national flower of Ireland, where Yeats-chan is from. There’s even a custom of giving shamrocks during engagements, or so the rumor goes. In Japan, we associate luck with the four-leaf clover, but in other countries, the three-leaf version carries that meaning. The number “three” itself is considered sacred in many cultures, and the shamrock’s three leaves are said to symbolize the Holy Trinity, making it a very special symbol.

The charm looked like a laminated bookmark. I suppose it could be used as one too...

I pressed the charm to my chest and pulled Yeats-chan into a tight hug. Her ears were in just the right place, so as she froze up in surprise, I whispered, “Thank you.”

"E-Eh, um… I…!"

"I know. Really, thank you."

"W-Waaah!"

Being loved by someone is such an overwhelming feeling. And when that love is shown through words and actions—it becomes even more powerful. I really do adore Yeats-chan.

"A-Apollo-san’s given me so much… I just wanted to show how I feel! You’re my dream, Apollo-san! That’s why—I really want you to win today!"

—My dream. Every time I hear those words from a fan, I can’t help but downplay it, thinking, “You’re exaggerating.” I still haven’t fully shaken off the mindset that I’m just a slightly well-known regular person.

All I did was run with everything I had. I didn’t chase after results—I chased the dream. And somehow, I ended up here. Honestly, if things had gone differently, Kayf Tara or Angely-chan could’ve been in my place. Which is why, deep down, I sometimes wonder—Am I really all that special?

But winning the full Stayers' Million showed me otherwise. I realized—I am someone’s dream now. I have to be me.

It makes perfect sense if I think about it. For Tokai Teio, Symboli Rudolf had to be Symboli Rudolf. And for Kitasan Black, Tokai Teio had to be Tokai Teio.

And for me—it was because TTG were TTG that I became who I am. I saw their fierce battles and thought, I want to race like that too. That’s why I’m here now. And for Yeats-chan—there’s probably something about me being me that matters deeply to her. Each dream, passed down through time, lives vividly in the hearts of Uma Musume and fans alike.

I can’t let Yeats-chan’s dream fade.

It’s time for me to prove why Apollo Rainbow is Apollo Rainbow—and show the world who the strongest stayer in Europe—no, in history—truly is.

"Kayf Tara-san, Angely-chan, Jet Bicycle-san, See-You-Later-chan… there are a lot of strong Uma Musume out there. But I’m going to win the Cadran Prize. No matter what."

Her eyes lit up instantly at those words, shining with pure adoration as she looked up at me from my chest. It wasn’t just trust—it was complete infatuation. I’d probably make the same face if I got hugged by one of my heroes.

When I was little, I never got to meet my idol in person—but I imagine I’d have looked just like this if I had. In a way… maybe the little girl I used to be is standing in front of me right now. Maybe Yeats-chan is the me from back then.

...From the distant past, dreams have surely been passed down like this—changing shape, shifting hue—flowing steadily from those who ran on the stage of dreams to the children who watched them.

From someone unknown, to the three of TTG. From the three of TTG, to me.

And perhaps, a royal lineage linking Emperor to Empress.

Or maybe it was just a tiny spark born far from the stage of dreams—gathering in one place called the Twinkle Series, igniting into an even greater brilliance.

We are the ones who stake our dreams in this world.

Wagering something we can’t let anyone take away, we race across the turf.

For our dreams.

Chasing dreams.

Bridging dreams...

Touching hearts with Yeats-chan made something indescribable suddenly click into place. Maybe it was thanks to the shamrock charm.

As I stepped a bit away from her, wondering if there was anything I could give in return, Tomio peeked his face through the door of the waiting room.

“Apollo, it’s about time.”

“Ah, yeah! I’ll be right out—wait for me!”

Looks like there wasn’t much time left before the paddock. Unfortunately, I didn’t have anything to give Yeats-chan back... but I’ll repay her kindness with a win. I think that’s what she wants most anyway.

“So yeah, sorry Yeats-chan. Looks like I’ve gotta head to the paddock now.”

“No, I’m the one who should apologize! I’m glad I was able to give you the charm!”

“Me too. It really made me happy.”

I gently patted the girl on the head one last time, and she left the waiting room with a content look on her face. Tomio stepped in to take her place, brushing down my messy hair with a practiced hand.

“What were you two talking about?”

“She gave me this, and we chatted a bit.”

“Oh, a clover... or if we’re going with the Irish style, I guess it’s a shamrock charm?”

“Yeah. Looks handmade, and it’s super cute.”

“Haha, guess we’ll have to do our best in today’s race for Yeats too.”

After giving my hair a light tousle, he turned as if to say follow me and left the waiting room. In his hand, he carried a giant support banner sent from everyone back in Japan, clearly ready to wave it high from the paddock or the stands.

The Arc week isn’t like the UK’s royal-race weeks—it’s a bit more relaxed in terms of regulations. If the banner’s too flashy, it might get taken down, but with a turnout like today’s, they’ll probably let a little chaos slide. Honestly, it lifts my spirits, and seeing things like support banners flying high always gives me a boost.

(...For my rivals. For myself. And for the people who support me. I’ll give it everything I have until there’s nothing left.)

If the Gold Cup was the first long-distance championship decider, then the Prix du Cadran starting now is the second. I’m going to win. I have to win. And I’ll do it with a victory even more dazzling than the first. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a run worthy of echoing through history.

After all, this Prix du Cadran is a top-tier G1 race, with a lineup far more formidable than back then.

—The starting lineup is as follows:

Number 1, Favorite 1: Apollo Rainbow (アポロレインボウ) – Front-running escape. Recent record: 4-0-0-0. Major wins: G1 Japanese Derby, G1 Kikuka-sho, G1 Gold Cup, G1 Goodwood Cup, etc.

Number 2, Favorite 3: Angely (アンゼリー) – Front-runner. Recent record: 3-0-1-0. Major wins: G1 Sydney Cup, G1 Irish St. Leger, G2 Vicomtesse Vigier Prize, etc.

Number 3, Favorite 14: Damascus Cocktail (ダマスカスカクテル) – Closer. Recent record: 1-1-0-2. Major win: G3 Lutece Prize.

Number 4, Favorite 6: JJ the Jet Bicycle (ジェイジェイザジェットバイシクル) – Versatile. Recent record: 2-0-0-2. Major wins: G1 South African Derby, G1 Cape Town Met, G3 Vintage Crop Stakes, etc.

Number 5, Favorite 2: Kayf Tara (カイフタラ) – Closer. Recent record: 2-2-0-0. Major wins: G1 Irish St. Leger, G1 Gold Cup, G2 Doncaster Cup, etc.

Number 6, Favorite 15: Choco Fondue (チョコフォンデュ) – Stalker. Recent record: 0-1-1-2. Major wins: G1 Critérium de Saint-Cloud, G3 Classic Trial.

Number 7, Favorite 9: Vampire Girls (ヴァンパイアガール) – Front-runner. Recent record: 2-0-2-0. Major wins: G3 Santa Barbara Stakes, G3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes.

Number 8, Favorite 7: Switch On (スイッチオン) – Front-runner. Recent record: 1-1-0-2. Major wins: G1 Prix Royal-Oak, G2 Grand Prix de Deauville, G2 Vicomtesse Vigier Prize, etc.

Number 9, Favorite 5: Snow Love (スノーラブ) – Front-runner. Recent record: 1-2-0-1. Major win: G1 Grosser Preis von Baden.

Number 10, Favorite 4: See You Later (シーユーレイター) – Stalker. Recent record: 3-0-0-1. Major wins: G1 British St. Leger, G3 Gordon Stakes, G3 Sagaro Stakes, etc.

Number 11, Favorite 13: Pon De Beach (ポンデビーチ) – Stalker. Recent record: 1-3-0-0. Major win: G3 Gladiateur Prize.

Number 12, Favorite 10: Zone Espresso (ゾーンエスプレッソ) – Stalker. Recent record: 1-0-0-3. Major win: G3 Red Sea Turf Handicap.

Number 13, Favorite 8: Busto Arsizio (ブストアルシーツォ) – Front-runner. Recent record: 2-0-0-2. Major wins: G1 Gran Premio Nacional, G1 Gran Premio de Honor, G2 Oleander-Rennen Prize.

Number 14, Favorite 11: Golden Nedawi (ゴールデンネダウィ) – Front-runner. Recent record: 0-3-0-1. Major win: G3 Ormonde Stakes.

Number 15, Favorite 12: Silent Joker (サイレントジョーカー) – Closer. Recent record: 0-1-2-1. Major wins: G2 Maurice de Nieuil Prize, G3 Ormonde Stakes.

This Cadran Prize is packed with an outrageous lineup—every single entrant is a graded race winner. It’s essentially the same faces from the Gold Cup, with just a few swaps.

I’m the top favorite, Kayf Tara-san is second, and Angely-chan is third. The three of us are the so-called "Big Three," and just like in the Gold Cup, we’re splitting the spotlight again.

Most of the other racers are familiar faces. We’ve shared the track so many times that by now, when we lock eyes in the paddock, it’s like, “You again?” or “Figures you’d be here too.” It’s funny, in a way.

When I stepped into the paddock at ParisLongchamp, I saw fourteen familiar girls already walking the outer ring. Blue, red, green—every imaginable color clashed in a sea of racing silks. But even among them, one stood out. A dazzling, pure white uniform. And when people see me, they always say the same things.

—The silver-haired fairy. So pretty. So white. So cute.
The words people use to describe me are always things like “white” or “beautiful.”

But the real me? I’m not that kind of horse girl.

Mud.
Blood.
Sweat.
Tears.

I’m the kind of girl who lives in the grit and grime, far from anything sparkling or elegant. The type who dives into the dirt, soaking my silks in mud, flinging sweat and tears as I run with everything I have. I show the world the rawest version of myself, gasping through the pain of pushing past my limits.

There’s nothing white or pretty about that.

…Even so, there were still people who called me beautiful.

They saw me, covered in mud, giving it everything I had without hesitation—and they told me that was beautiful. That it was truly, unmistakably beautiful. People like that… there were a lot of them.

"Apollo～～～～!!"
"Apollo-chan～～～～!!"
"Show us the dream of the strongest stayer!!"

『Roaring cheers welcome the overwhelming favorite! ParisLongchamp trembles with the voices of 500,000 fans!!』

With a bright smile, I waved back at them. So many glittering eyes. Endless voices raining down on me. All of it was for us. Everyone was dreaming through us—that’s the kind of world we were in.

“…We really made it this far, huh.”
“Yeah.”
“It felt long… but also short, somehow.”
“…Haha. Bit early to get sentimental, don’t you think?”

It didn’t feel real. Had any other horse girl ever gotten this much support, here in the heartland of stayers, in Europe? I thought I was just a regular racer… yet somehow, I’d made it to this place. The more I tried to understand why I was being allowed to stand here, how I was getting closer to being the strongest stayer, the more my mind threatened to short-circuit.

“Apollo. …Hey, Apollo.”
“Eh? Ah, what?”
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay.”
“…Really? You’ve been spacing out for a while now.”

Just after the paddock walk, right before heading onto the track. It was time to part ways with Tomio. He noticed I was feeling… off. Nervous, maybe, but not quite the right word. And so he called out to me.

“Well, yeah, no wonder you’re nervous. I mean, fifty thousand fans? That’s unreal.”

I know. I know I just have to do it. That’s all there is to it.

I’m just… overloaded.

“…!?”

I’d been staring at the ground when suddenly, I was hit by a strong pressure. Tomio had taken my hand and pulled me into a tight hug.

He never does this. Not ever. My thoughts couldn’t catch up—but in that moment, he leaned in and whispered by my ear, gently.

“…Apollo. When everything feels scary, just run however you want to. Like when you were a kid, sprinting through the fields without a care in the world.”

“…Really? But what about all the training, all the strategies—we can’t just throw that out—”

“It’s fine. It’s already in you. You’ve trained that hard. It’s part of you now.”

He let go. Our eyes met, and something passed between us.

“This race is the culmination of your six months in Europe. Go out there and run however you want.”

“…However I want?”
“Yeah! Do it your way!”

Run the way I want? However I feel?

—You mean that?

If you say that… I’ll run until I burn myself out.

And you’re really okay with that?

“…Got it. I’m going all in.”
“…Yeah!”

Tomio nodded in satisfaction, then flashed a grin as he unfurled the cheering banner he’d been holding.

“You’ve got us behind you—there’s no way you can lose!”

The memories I’d made with the horse girls written across that banner—those were the last chains holding me back. And now, they’d finally broken.

It wasn’t recklessness.
It wasn’t surrender.
This time, I could truly decide—I’d run like I was ready to burn out everything in this one race.

“—Alright! I’m off!”

“Go get ’em, Apollo. I’ll be right here, waiting for you.”

“Yeah!”

We horse girls were born to run. Born into this world carrying names from a different realm—names steeped in fate, in brilliance, in odd twists of history. We run, inheriting their spirits. That’s the life we’re given.

But the results that await the horse girls of this world—those are still unknown.

The racehorse named Apollo Rainbow never existed in the world before. The two halves of who I am were drawn together to fill in the blanks of that unwritten history.

And if this race can rewrite fate itself, if it can carve a new legend into existence—

Then I’ll burn everything I have.
My heart, my body—leave nothing behind.
Let’s do this.

Everyone in this world is an enemy. Even the me from before is an enemy.

To leave a mark greater than the Gold Cup—the brilliance of that first time—I’ll have to defeat the best version of myself that ever existed. A record-breaking pace is non-negotiable. And winning the Cadran Prize—that’s a given.

Even as I list off the impossible conditions, even as they threaten to overwhelm me, my heart never wavers.

If I’m with my rivals,
If I’m with you,
If I’m with everyone—
Then I know we can surpass it all.

And so, I charged onto the turf of ParisLongchamp.

『A dream celebration for stayers! The Cadran Prize begins—now!!』

With every step, the wings of the silver-haired fairy begin to burn.
This fierce sprint marks the end of a racing life.
The final hour draws near, but there’s still time.

Casting aside every doubt—
I run.

—All for the sake of the dream.