"For the first time, two Pegasus Uma Musume meeting officially! What would happen when Platinum and Nearl cross paths?"
The moment these words were spoken, countless high-ranking members around them grew intensely excited!
They immediately realized they had been stuck in a misconception, subconsciously thinking that overseas Uma Musume and American Uma Musume couldn't coexist.
After all, the divide between the American Uma Musume scene and other regions was significant.
American Uma Musume rarely campaigned abroad, and foreign Uma Musume seldom ventured to the U.S. for races.
And only Platinum, a turf specialist, enjoyed immense popularity in the dirt-dominated United States!
Generally speaking, even if the American Uma Musume circuit wasn't explicitly exclusionary, it wasn't far from it.
This was because the focus here was primarily on dirt races, with turf events playing a secondary role.
In major Uma Musume regions outside the U.S., the development of dirt racing was largely lackluster.
Dirt racing in Europe, Japan, and so on, could at best be considered second-tier, and the dirt Uma Musume bred there were far inferior to their American counterparts.
This stark contrast created a situation where the two scenes seemed to exist in entirely different worlds.
In the past, there was even a notorious dark chapter in turf history: the legendary European turf star [Dancing Brave], hailed as the pinnacle in Europe, suffered a shocking upset as the favorite in the Breeders' Cup Turf!
This was a blemish that was hard to erase. So, after Frankel's meteoric rise, many European fans were quick to call her Europe's strongest legend, surpassing [Dancing Brave], refusing to be seen as inferior.
But Frankel also had no Grade 1 wins in the U.S., and unlike Platinum, she couldn't boast victories in dirt races as a dual-threat performer. Thus, her popularity remained largely confined to turf racing audiences.
In the eyes of the numerous high-ranking American racing officials present, Platinum was completely incomparable to regular, or even exceptional, turf Uma Musume!
"We don't need to pay too much mind to other turf legends."
"The mighty [Dancing Brave] still fell! And Frankel wouldn't risk an overseas campaign."
"But the Pegasus Platinum is entirely different. She's famous for her campaigns, winning from Japan to England, then going to Dubai before storming France. Even the relatively isolated Australia was thoroughly conquered by her!"
"Having conquered the four major racing circuits, the only major Uma Musume region left for this Pegasus to conquer is... [America]... She really might come!"
The official who made the proposal spoke with grave seriousness, and the T-shirt he wore bearing the words ['Platinum is the Greatest'] made his argument all the more persuasive.
Hearing this, the other senior members pondered briefly, then almost unanimously nodded, voicing their agreement.
After all, this was the Uma Musume hailed as the strongest turf runner in history, who dominated the four major turf circuits, surpassing the Eclipse myth...
And who, long ago, in the Dubai World Cup, defeated the American-famous Dubai Millennium, thereby also earning the title of [Strongest Dual-Threat in History].
Compared to the unfamiliarity associated with other turf Uma Musume, Platinum was a much more familiar figure to the American scene—she evoked both a sense of kinship from dirt Uma Musume and the mystique of a super legend!
If they could invite such a legend to the [Breeders' Cup]...
Then, not only would they not have to worry about the Breeders' Cup being overshadowed by some European G1 or Japanese G1 retirement race that Platinum might choose, but on the contrary... it could elevate the Breeders' Cup beyond their wildest expectations!
Platinum was not an adversary.
Rather, she was a friend whom American racing authorities absolutely must strive to invite!
In a way, it was almost like... if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Or rather, offer a hefty sum to invite Platinum to join!
In any case, their bottom line was flexible, very flexible!
"Both of them are legends surpassing legends! It seems they've known each other for a long time and share some special relationship!"
"Just imagine, if Platinum comes, this [Breeders' Cup] will surely break all previous records for popularity."
"Perhaps even to a level never to be surpassed!"
"So, to successfully invite Platinum, and to host this unprecedented, potentially never-to-be-repeated Breeders' Cup, I believe it's necessary to reference and learn from the importance placed on Platinum by the Dubai World Cup and Japanese racing authorities."
Where was this importance shown?
Well, that would be... increased prize money!
Other things might be intangible, but prize money is the most concrete way to show [respect]. A Pegasus won't fall for empty promises!
"Hmm, in that case, let's significantly increase the winner's purse for the Breeders' Cup races."
"But we can't just increase it for the Turf race. We must respect the turf Pegasus, and of course, we must respect the dirt Pegasus too."
"We need to take care of everyone, that's what makes it sound!"
Many of the senior officials from the American racing authority voiced their agreement in response.
For the American racing authority, the importance of the [Breeders' Cup] was no less than that of the entire American Triple Crown!
Therefore, they were willing to go to such great lengths and offer a comprehensive upgrade in treatment for this edition of the Breeders' Cup, which had the potential to break records.
After all, the Breeders' Cup was a special race day; at the host track, over five GI races would be held in a single day, making it even more grand than the similarly formatted [Dubai World Cup].
In the past, the [Breeders' Cup Classic] was always the sole main event, the marquee attraction—the very dirt race that The Radiant Knight, Nearl, and the Big Red Monster, Secretariat, were scheduled for.
As for the Breeders' Cup Turf, its level of attention was more than just a notch lower.
But this time, as long as Platinum was willing to come and compete in the Breeders' Cup, no matter which race she entered...
Even if it was the [Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf], its attention would still surpass the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe! The American racing authority was convinced of this.
"Then... let's now begin the detailed discussion on improving the conditions."
"And then—extend the invitations to the Pegasus Platinum, The Radiant Knight Nearl, and the Big Red Monster Secretariat!"
"This Breeders' Cup, where Pegasus meets Pegasus, The Radiant Knight faces the Big Red Monster, and Platinum's retirement race surpasses Eclipse... will be... a World Cup that shakes the ages!"
--+--
Europe.
A silver-haired young woman lazily pinched her own snow-white skin.
"Huh?"
"The stats went up again?"
Her amber eyes fixed on the system interface displayed before her.
--+--
[Queen Anne Stakes (Completed)]
[Reward: Gained a slight amount of Mlynar Nearl's physical constitution]
[Note: Reward is not limited to the Uma Musume form; includes original form.]
--+--
This short, few-line reward panel lifted Platinum's mood considerably.
Previous rewards were always limited to a specific Uma Musume, or given solely to her original form.
This time, there were no limitations at all? Equivalent to triple the reward?
"Feel... a bit stronger now."
"But things like stamina, I'll have to go to the training ground to measure properly."
Platinum, even when facing the legendary Uma Musume Frankel beforehand, had only trained for half an hour before the race.
Whether in races or training, Platinum had never truly pushed herself to her limit.
Because, being an assassin at heart, she seemed to instinctively maintain a sense of vigilance within her body. She disliked reaching a state of exhaustion, leaving herself feeling helpless and vulnerable.
Slacking off is fine, but exhaustion is not—that was Platinum's creed!
"Anyway, having it is better than not."
Satisfied, Platinum promptly closed the system reward panel.
The very next second, the phone resting on the nearby sofa rang with an incoming call tone.
The silver-haired young woman acted with practiced ease, showing not a trace of concern or impatience.
Because... ever since she publicly announced yesterday that her next race would be her final retirement race, she had sent shockwaves through every major Uma Musume community across the globe.
From yesterday until today, her phone barely rested for a few minutes before ringing again. Combined, it had rung no less than a hundred times.
Only during the night when she slept and her afternoon nap, when she set it to silent, did she get any peace.
"Which race invitation is it this time?"
Platinum casually picked up her phone and looked at the caller ID displayed on the screen.
The next instant, the corner of her mouth finally quirked up into a slight smile, gracing her exquisitely pale face.
"Finally—"
[American Uma Musume Racing Authority]
After pressing the answer button, what Platinum heard was the voice of a staff member, brimming with both excitement and nervousness.
"M-Miss Platinum, I'm... a member of the Breeders' Cup event team, here to extend an invitation to you!"
"And this year's Breeders' Cup has unprecedentedly boosted its benefits! For example, the high entry fees have been significantly reduced, and the champion will get a full refund of their entry fee."
"The prize money for the top three finishers has also been increased, with the winner receiving an additional bonus on top."
"Besides that, any Uma Musume who can help boost the influence of the Breeders' Cup events will receive extra bonuses from a separate prize pool, plus promotional rewards provided by the U.S. racing officials."
"Might I ask... what are your thoughts?"
After the staff member finished speaking in one breath, he finally fell silent, anxiously awaiting Platinum's response.
Hearing this, Platinum felt quite satisfied.
Good, her waiting hadn't been in vain!
Compared to signing up directly, the benefits were much better when they came to her.
"Mhm, I will participate in the Breeders' Cup."
"!!!"
The moment Platinum's calm, water-like voice came through, the staff member on the other end first heard... what sounded like something heavy hitting the ground.
That brief reply had made him drop his phone in shock!
Then came the ecstatic voice of the U.S. event staff member, too thrilled to care about his fallen phone.
"Y-Yes!!!"
Not only that, Platinum's sharp hearing picked up, just a second after this staff member's voice, [wave after wave] of collective cheers.
"She actually said yes!!"
"Pegasus!! Pegasus!!"
"Platinum!! Platinum!! The living Pegasus is finally racing in America?!"
"Ahem, ahem... Is anyone willing to swap shifts with me on Breeders' Cup day? I'm scheduled for a G2 race in the next state over. In exchange, I'll cover three extra shifts for them."
"Three shifts? I wouldn't trade even thirty shifts for this! The Pegasus's retirement race, the ultimate dirt legend showdown—a once-in-a-lifetime event!"
Over the phone, Platinum could hear the noise growing overwhelmingly loud.
Probably... the entire Breeders' Cup project team, or even a large group from the U.S. racing officials, had gathered around the staff member who made the call, waiting for her response, right?
Finally, after a good while.
The staff member, who had picked up his phone and barely regained his composure, began asking for follow-up details.
"Then, Miss Platinum, which race would you like to enter?"
"The available Breeders' Cup races are..."
[Breeders' Cup Classic], [Breeders' Cup Distaff], [Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile]
[Breeders' Cup Turf], [Breeders' Cup Mile], [Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint], etc...
The staff member listed numerous races, all available for entry.
Beyond that, he provided more detailed introductions.
Such as the specific race conditions, characteristics, and prize money.
"In terms of prestige, the top recommendation is the Breeders' Cup Classic, a dirt race over 2..."
The earlier explanations about race conditions and characteristics made Platinum's head spin, almost nodding off.
But when she heard the final prize money figures, her eyes suddenly sharpened, cool and clear, like an assassin locking onto her target!
—Platinum never forgets her roots!
The [Breeders' Cup Turf] race she was responsible for offered very high prize money!
And this time, the U.S. racing officials had significantly increased the champion's prize share for every race.
This made Platinum wonder: if she only ran one race, would she be... missing out?
Memories of her two races in one day at the [Dubai World Cup] resurfaced in her mind.
'It's my last race this year anyway.'
'Since the prize money has increased so much, why not run one more race?'
The lazy assassin was making a difficult choice.
Namely—overtime!
After all, this was her retirement race... at least, her first retirement race.
For a memorable final race, achieving back-to-back challenges in one day, running both a turf G1 and a dirt G1—that would be worthy of a [retirement race], right?
Plus, the prize money would be much higher!
Having silently made her decision, Platinum spoke up the next second, delivering her astonishing reply.
"I choose the [Breeders' Cup Turf]!"
"Understood, I'll note—"
"And also."
"Okay, al—also?!!"
"The [Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile], please note that down as well."
On the U.S. officials' end of the call, massive commotion erupted.
For the first time since the Dubai World Cup!
The streaking Pegasus was once again reviving her legendary myth of two crowns in one day!
--+--
Europe.
Sea Family Villa, living room.
A smiling chestnut-haired girl lay on the sofa, popping grapes into her mouth one by one, enjoying herself immensely.
Her gaze and hearing, however, were focused on her older sister, Galileo, who sat on the adjacent sofa, answering a call with a serious expression.
Sea the Stars was curious about which of the many G1 races in the Breeders' Cup her sister Galileo planned to enter.
Months ago, Galileo had decided to retire at the U.S. Breeders' Cup.
Initially, she had chosen... the highly challenging [Breeders' Cup Classic], the premier Breeders' Cup event—the dirt middle-distance race!
A turf Uma Musume crossing over to challenge on dirt—an extremely bold choice!
But recently, ever since that dirt Pegasus's achievements grew more and more outrageous—from the Undefeated Triple Crown to single-handedly defeating Ruffian, and now even crushing Flightline by a huge margin head-on...
And that wasn't all. Besides Platinum, there was another legendary monster: Secretariat!
You couldn't expect those two to mark each other so closely that they'd overlook the rest and let someone sneak a win, right? That seemed utterly impossible.
The turf Pegasus was terrifying, and the dirt Pegasus was surely just as fearsome—better not suffer through that!
So, Galileo had abandoned her plan to challenge the [Breeders' Cup Classic].
"Hello, this is Galileo."
"Yes, the race I'm entering is..."
The black-haired girl calmly and seriously stated her new choice.
"The Breeders' Cup Turf!"
--+--
A few minutes later.
Just after successfully registering, Galileo opened her phone and immediately saw the trending news notification.
[Platinum announces participation in the Breeders' Cup Turf and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile!!]
??
"Huh?"
Galileo, in her retirement race, had avoided Nearl only to run straight into Platinum!
"O-oh no!"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
There should be... around 70+ advanced chapters?
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.