Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 84 Transportation Plan

On the evening of Christmas Eve, the streets of Shibuya were filled with men and women holding hands.

However, this kind of excitement has nothing to do with Kitano.

The taxi drove towards Chiba, and the tall buildings were soon left behind.

Outside the car, the sky above was already shrouded in darkness, and only a blood-red sunset glow remained in the direction of the city.

After getting off the bus, the three people's footprints were left on the white-covered path.

It is snowing season in places other than Hokkaido.

The meeting place is still the teahouse near the stables.

Entering the private room, the riders and those related to the stables nodded to the three people who had just arrived.

Although this is said, in reality, apart from the rider Hetian, there is only the trainer Huangshan.

As for choosing a hoof trimmer, I still don't seem to have much idea.

So far, most of the applications Kitano has received are at the level of trainees or amateurs.

After a brief greeting and getting to know each other, the five-member expedition team quickly entered into a meeting.

"Let's try harder at the hoof trimmer first."

Kitano sighed as he scrolled through the endless list of private messages.

"Although there is the possibility of seeking help from a local hoof trimmer, this option should be considered last."

Flipping through the thick bound volume in her hand, Ogawa Kana said.

This is something similar to a rule book that Ogawa Sheng compiled after collecting information about the three events.

At this meeting, everyone was given a rule book.

"How is Mr. Shimura?"

Ogawa Katsu asked.

He has a great liking for this skilled hoof trimmer who has a long-term partnership with his ranch.

"Mr. Shimura refused."

Kitano shrugged and placed the rule book upside down on the table.

Mejiro Sakuya's hooves are not the type that can be mastered in a short period of time, so a fixed hoof trimmer partner is still necessary during the expedition.

Mr. Shimura, the farrier with whom I had worked for a long time, was not only old but also reluctant to leave Hokkaido.

"Although I have contacted a few people, they are all just enough to make do."

Huangshan shook his head.

"It's a similar situation here."

Wada followed up.

"Since there aren't many good options, I'll just have to put the hoof trimmer option on hold."

There's more to discuss than just the shortage of hoof trimmers.

Kitano picked up the translated rule book again and started reading it.

I turned to the section about the Saudi match day login outline.

[JCSA will cover the transportation and stable expenses of the hospitality horses]

At the bottom there is a line of text like this.

In other words, no need to spend money?

I suppressed the surging excitement and checked it with the English part.

It is true that there is such a regulation.

"Ms. Xuhe, take a look here."

Spreading out the rule book, Kitano pointed to the section below the outline.

“It’s true that there are such rules.”

Nodding slightly, Ogawa Kana turned to the next page of the rule book.

Then, it pointed to the additional explanation regarding entertainment and transportation expenses.

"The standard is just the minimum transportation cost."

"Domestic transportation, insurance and veterinary expenses are not included in the hospitality package."

"Therefore, the opposing side still needs to bear expenses of more than five million yen." "That's already very good."

Kitano nodded in satisfaction.

For him, it was a pleasant surprise that the event organizer could cover part of the expenses.

"Also, transportation from Japan to the Middle East is quite difficult."

"In order to allow sufficient time for recovery, we must travel to Saudi Arabia as early as possible."

The five people in the camp quickly reached a consensus on this point.

"Regarding the transportation plan, I have already received quotes from Pegasus and Flyt Express."

Huangshan opened the briefcase and took out several documents.

Overseas shipments typically require three to five months to process paperwork and plan flights.

In a sense, Mejiro Sakuya's case can be considered as half an "expedited item".

Kitano took the document and read it carefully.

The first is the solution provided by "Pegasus", which has the same name as Medaima.

The prices are divided into three packages, ranging from the lowest level of US$48,000 to the highest level of US$105,000.

Because Mejiro Sakuya is a lame horse, the insurance premium is the maximum of $18,000.

The earliest available flight date is February 5th.

As for the latest flight on the 12th, such an option was not considered from the beginning.

We participate in the competition as soon as we arrive, and our goal is to compete in the Middle East, which is a long journey and has a harsh environment.

This is no different from murdering a racehorse.

Putting aside the offer from "Pegasus", let's look at the proposal from "Flyt Express".

The price is slightly more expensive than "Pegasus", and is divided into five levels from US$53,000 to US$116,000.

The insurance premium is the same as that of "Pegasus", which is $18,000.

The earliest available shipping date is February 1st.

Putting down the documents in his hand, Kitano lowered his head slightly and began to think.

The King Abdulaziz Racecourse, venue for the Saudi Derby, will open to guests on the first working day of February.

Next year, it will be on February 2nd.

If you take a flight on February 1st, you will be able to catch the opening of the stadium just in time.

but--

Kitano took another look at the long list of numbers at the end of the transportation plan.

One hundred and sixteen thousand US dollars, which converts to about seventeen million yen.

Even if Saudi Arabia bears part of the expenses, the total cost will exceed 10 million yen.

However, the only downside to this plan is the price.

A dedicated racehorse transport aircraft, modified from a Gulfstream G550, provides full-time support from a senior veterinarian and three senior stable staff, temperature-controlled transportation, and a sophisticated feed and supply system.
Even by the most stringent standards, there is nothing wrong with it.

"But it's really expensive—"

The maximum expedition bonus you can get from NAR is 550 million yen.

If you choose the lowest-level plan, even if you don’t get a ranking in the end, the losses will be within an acceptable range.

Of course, the quality of transportation is quite disappointing.

"If it's a Middle Eastern situation, physical strength is more important to consider."

I remembered the advice that Ogawa Jō gave me not long ago.

Being already behind, facing the strong men from all over the world with incomplete physical strength—

Such an idea is really too arrogant.

Kitano shook his head.

After silently estimating the approximate number, I picked up the last quotation.

He's not going there to play a supporting role.

(End of this chapter)