[Final Race Schedule:]
[The Everest (Turf, Sprint) (Australia)]
[Dual Race (Any Distance) (USA)]
[Pacific Classic Stakes (Dirt, Middle Distance) (USA)]
[Glorious Goodwood Cup (Turf, Long Distance) (Europe)]
[Breeders' Cup Turf (Turf, Middle Distance) (USA)]
[Breeders' Cup Classic (Dirt, Middle Distance) (USA)]
[Queen Anne Stakes (Turf, Mile) (Europe)]
[Dream Cup (???)]
--+--
The blonde girl's orange eyes narrowed in shock, her usually calm and steady composure shaken as she took in the lengthy list of the [Final Race Schedule] laid out before her.
In terms of sheer number of races, it wasn't excessively high. After all, a certain Platinum Uma Musume had once challenged a schedule that involved quite a few more races combined.
Now, even if these eight races were split evenly, or perhaps sixty-forty, it would mean the two Pegasus Uma Musume each taking on four races, or one winning three and the other five.
The real kicker was the sheer intensity of these events… it was just too staggering, too outrageous!
And the variety of the events, the range of distances covered—it was unprecedented, likely never to be seen again.
First, those turf races. The Everest, Australia's famously prestigious peak race, boasting some of the highest prize money in the world!
Australia was a unique Uma Musume scene, known worldwide for its thriving, self-contained sprint racing culture.
Unlike Japan, which over the decades had struggled to gain much recognition overseas and had seen disappointing international development, Australia, while also sticking to its own style, focused on sprint distances—a niche not even mainstream in Europe or the US—yet managed to earn considerable respect in both those regions!
Heck, Europe even occasionally had talented Uma Musume head down to Australia to develop and take a shot at their top international G1s, not just popping over to Japan for a quick run at the Japan Cup to grab some cash and leave.
So, while Australia, like Japan, wasn't considered part of the world racing mainstream, its development level and Uma Musume training standards were far superior to Japan's. It was genuinely recognized by Europe as the [Sprint Heaven]!
This was evident from how European elite Uma Musume often made the trip to Australia, and how Australia itself had produced homegrown sprint talents who'd gone on to win European G1s—more than once! That alone spoke volumes about its excellent environment and development.
As for Japan? Before a certain Platinum Uma Musume debuted and was registered as Japanese, not a single Japanese Uma Musume had won a [European G1] in decades!
So, while Australia and Japan might both be outside the world mainstream, their international reputations and the strength of their Uma Musume were on completely different levels!
"The Everest... I recall the prize money is very high?"
Margaret Nearl accurately pinpointed the key issue.
Namely, the prize money! The enormous prize money!
Australia wasn't just its own world; it had a ton of G1 races, following a completely different path from Japan.
In Japan, even the core middle-distance events, including the Classic Triple Tiara and the Classics, only added up to just over ten middle-distance G1s a year, barely hitting double digits.
By tightly controlling the number of races, they ensured almost no overlap between G1 schedules. If you avoided a race, you'd forever miss out on a G1 title—it was a complete [Winner Takes All] system!
Australia, on the other hand, had several times more G1 races than Japan, totaling several dozen, with G1 races happening almost every week on average.
So, even with super talents like Winx and Black Caviar emerging, it didn't stop other G1 champions from rising.
Among Australia's many G1s, [The Everest] was the cream of the crop, boasting prestige and prize money at the very peak of the sprint world!
Even Japan's G1s, often joked about as "easy money," couldn't match The Everest's payout.
From race intensity to prize money, it was top-tier in every way, with only one catch… it was a sprint!
"Moreover, isn't the current Australian Uma Musume scene also calling the last two years a [Golden Age]?"
"Winx and Black Caviar—these are Australia's two masterpieces of this era!"
"So—"
"Platinum, you're going to take on Australia's two top genius empresses?"
But the heavy-hitters weren't limited to just the Australian Everest.
That other European turf mile race, the Queen Anne Stakes, was probably even more monumental.
The reason was simple—[Frankel] had her eyes set on winning that very race.
If Sea the Stars was hailed as the masterpiece of the Sea family, the crystallization of middle-distance perfection, "approaching perfection"—
"Approaching perfection" meaning extremely close to perfect.
Then the girl named Frankel was truly, in every sense, perfection itself!
As early as last year, Frankel had already swept through European mile races, achieving an undefeated record just like Platinum.
Keep in mind, Europe's mainstream, kingly events were precisely the mile and middle distances!
And Frankel's talent, even her strength, was universally acknowledged as… [Legendary]!
After all, Sea the Stars, "approaching perfection," was praised after last year's Arc de Triomphe as being incredibly close to legendary status.
Frankel, more perfect than Sea the Stars, achieving the [Undefeated] feat that even Man o' War, Secretariat, and Sea the Stars couldn't maintain, was the current Mile Queen, the [GOAT] of mile racing history!
Trying to snatch a mile race victory from the most outstanding, supreme legendary Mile Queen of the Sea family… now that difficulty was off the charts.
"Not only are the sprint and mile crowns massively significant, but that turf long-distance [Goodwood Cup] is also extremely challenging."
The Goodwood Cup, another famous international G1 in European long-distance racing.
And in the upcoming Goodwood Cup, the [Long Distance] history books were destined to witness a monumental chapter.
Because the predicted favorites were…
Stradivarius, Kyprios.
Their names might sound a bit odd, but their talent in long distance was undeniably terrifying.
To describe Stradivarius, you could say—the longest river.
She'd dominated the Goodwood Cup for a whopping [four consecutive years], stable and powerful, maintaining a long peak period—a legend poised to challenge for the GOAT title in long-distance racing!
As for Kyprios, she was—the highest mountain.
A young genius who, in the limited number of European long-distance G1s each year, managed to capture several in a single year—a mythical feat that also made her a contender for the long-distance GOAT crown.
The highest mountain and the longest river were set to clash at the Goodwood Cup, and now… a wild Platinum was about to crash the party!
Just these three turf races alone, each was a true super battle in every sense.
Probably, if the outside world learned this was the schedule planned for [The Silver-White Pegasus · Platinum], they'd be utterly shocked.
This was a schedule even the most dedicated Platinum fans wouldn't dare dream of!
"If she can defeat both Winx and Black Caviar, then the title of [Sprint GOAT] could be claimed in one battle."
"Frankel goes without saying—the undisputed perfect Mile Emperor. Surpassing her would make Platinum the new [Mile GOAT]."
"The long-distance Stradivarius and Kyprios? Surpassing the highest mountain and the longest river to dominate as [Long Distance GOAT]?"
"This schedule is clearly—aiming for complete turf domination across all distances, utterly surpassing Eclipse's monumental achievements?"
Final Race Schedule?
This was a Mythical Race Schedule!
After running these races, forget winning them all!
Even winning just one! Would instantly have the outside world crown Platinum as [Eclipse II], [Eclipse Reborn]!
Among the past legendary turf Uma Musume like Dancing Brave, Sea Bird, and Ribot, all would be completely overshadowed by Platinum, and indisputably so!
For an active Uma Musume to overwhelm retired legendary predecessors who had the advantage of time and influence—that was something winning conventional middle-distance G1s couldn't achieve.
But in the sprint The Everest, the mile Queen Anne Stakes, and the long-distance Goodwood Cup!
Facing opponents across distances, each capable of making history in their field, even contending for GOAT status—under such nightmarish difficulty!
Even losing two races and winning just one would place Platinum firmly among the absolute top tier of legendary Uma Musume!
Winning two? Eclipse Reborn? Heir to Eclipse?
No, at that point, she'd either be seen as Eclipse herself!
Or directly considered beyond comparison, the new era destined to replace Eclipse.
As for winning all three…
That would be true domination across all distances, defeating all worthy of historical recognition, not just some ordinary champion from a weak year!
By then, Platinum probably wouldn't just be called the "Darling of the Three Goddesses" or "Biological Daughter of the Three Goddesses" anymore.
From then on, it wouldn't be impossible for her to be seen as the "Three Goddesses' Mortal Avatar"!
"Such a schedule, it's really quite fascinating—"
Fascinating!
That… was Nearl's take on this [Final Race Schedule].
Quite interesting indeed!
As for the other half of the races Nearl would be responsible for: a Match Race, the Pacific Classic, and the Breeders' Cup Classic!
Obviously, those were the battles against Ruffian, against Flightline in the Pacific Classic, and the final Breeders' Cup showdown against Secretariat.
All of them were also incredibly interesting, filled with powerful opponents!
"Finally, there's even the Breeders' Cup Turf?"
"And the Dream Cup is just question marks? No details on distance or conditions at all?"
The Breeders' Cup was a "World Cup" of sorts, with many races held on the same day.
For example, the Breeders' Cup Classic, Distaff, Mile, Sprint, etc…
Among them, the true heavyweight at the top was the Classic. The Turf race was also on the same day.
The Dubai World Cup had a similar multi-race format.
And back then, the Pegasus Platinum had famously won two crowns in one day at the Dubai World Cup, displaying her hall-of-fame effects, making her name known worldwide.
Now, the blonde girl was pondering with great interest.
Should she aim for both Breeders' Cup races herself…
Or let the "other self" take on the Turf race?
Then, the Breeders' Cup would witness two Pegasus Uma Musume appearing together in a century-spanning moment?
"Never mind, no point overthinking it now; it's all close to the year-end."
"For now, let's wrap up the post-race interview and Winner's Stage, then head back for training."
"Compared to the races later, better focus on the [Belmont Stakes] in two weeks!"
First, smoothly finish the last leg of the current schedule, and secure the American Triple Crown.
The Final Race Schedule… still two weeks away.
Having made her decision, the blonde knightly girl turned around, her tall and heroic figure poised.
"Alright, time to prepare for the post-race interview."
She waved a greeting to the petite, dark-haired girl, Sunday Silence, who had just crossed the finish line not long ago, then began to stride away.
--+--
A short while later.
As the blonde girl, Nearl, departed, the stands were still packed with numerous spectators.
The commentators' lavish praise continued to resound throughout the venue, endless and effusive.
It seemed that for these professional, seasoned commentators, the Preakness Stakes was something they'd never seen before, content worthy of discussion and endless acclaim.
[I've never seen an Uma Musume like this! Clearly running like a front-runner, yet capable of displaying two, even three bursts of acceleration.]
[Because she runs so fast, she might take the lead or second place with a stalker or even closer-to-the-pace style! And then finishes with a final kick that surpasses every other Uma Musume on the field!]
[What a magnificent race. I think I'll never forget you, Margaret Nearl!]
[As commentators, to have one or two such legendary races in our careers is incredibly fortunate.]
[And the spectators here are the same—being able to witness The Radiant Knight's undefeated second crown with their own eyes gives them a story to share with friends and family for years to come?!]
The commentators' rather emotional voices clearly reached the ears of the many present spectators.
"Nearl!! The Strongest!! Nearl!! The Strongest!!"
"So this is the legendary Radiant Knight? Truly lives up to the name. Worth coming all the way from Japan to watch."
"I thought Platinum was unbeatable, but who knew someone could seem just as fierce? Not surprising, another super monster with the [Pegasus] title!"
"Really looking forward to it. The undefeated second crown is already in the Radiant Knight's grasp. She's just one step away from the final and most difficult [Undefeated Triple Crown]!"
"Even Man o' War, Secretariat, and Seabiscuit—those three legendary peaks in American history—none achieved an Undefeated Triple Crown. Will Nearl be stopped by the final wall, the Belmont Stakes?"
"Nearl must win! You have to take the Triple Crown!!"
Countless exclamations and discussions kept rising, so intense they nearly drowned out the commentators' voices.
Even though Nearl had already left to prepare for the upcoming post-race interview, the spectators' excitement hadn't dimmed in the slightest.
A large majority of this crowd, having watched this race, were thoroughly converted into fans of the Radiant Knight, Nearl!
Currently, Man o' War, serving as a guest commentator, hadn't left yet either.
This legendary senior, in a satisfied and even surprised tone, offered her evaluation.
[The Belmont Stakes is right ahead. Can Nearl achieve the "Undefeated Triple Crown" that even Secretariat couldn't?]
[But she still mustn't let her guard down. She's bound to face those top talents who specifically avoided the Preakness Stakes, or who are returning refreshed from injuries.]
[The battle-weary Radiant Knight, the Golden Pegasus, will face the returning Easy Goer and other strong contenders. It's worth watching with bated breath…]
The commentators' voices also reached a certain twin-tailed red-haired girl in the front rows.
After all, this was praise from the original Big Red, practically the patriarch, a living legend of a senior.
Praising her for having a chance to snipe Nearl!
Forget the actual probability—just the fact that it was possible!
For some reason…
Hearing such praise from Man o' War, the third-generation Big Red, Easy Goer, felt not only joy…
But also a thread of nervousness, even panic.
The red-haired, twin-tailed girl found her breathing growing slightly rapid, her ample chest rising and falling noticeably as she instinctively pointed a finger at herself.
"Huh, me?"
"Me, snipe the Radiant Knight? Seriously?"
But this was praise from Man o' War…
Easy Goer chose to clench her fists, then punched the air, her breathing still hurried.
"Man o' War senior isn't wrong. I'm basically waiting at my ease, ready for the weary!"
"And Nearl, she's gone through this extremely intense series of battles. She definitely won't be at full strength for the Belmont Stakes."
"With me fresh and her weary, I have to fight for victory in this final crown, make that sighing wall appear before Nearl as she charges for the Triple Crown!"
Anyway…
Bearing the name Big Red, I absolutely cannot lose!!
--+--
Meanwhile, on the dirt track.
At the finish line of the Preakness Stakes, where the number of runners wasn't huge but not too little, everyone had gradually crossed the line, their positions determined.
It's worth noting—
Most of the little foreign fillies wore expressions of dismay, some even bordering on terror.
"This…"
Many of them, keenly, looked towards the results recording device.
But they weren't checking their own rankings. If you weren't first or second, not the champion or the closest contender, the differences further back didn't matter much.
What drew their collective gaze was the race time of the first-place finisher, Nearl, in the Preakness Stakes.
"The time… broke the historical record? But that was a [super time] set by the second-generation Big Red, Secretariat, just last year, far surpassing any previous record!"
"I remember my trainer said after watching Big Red's second crown time last year, swearing:"
['Secretariat's Preakness Stakes record will stand until I retire from training! Lasting half a century wouldn't be an exaggeration. If it's broken sooner, I'll marry into your family on the spot!']
"So… should I be thanking Nearl instead? A blessing in disguise!!!"
"N-no, not good. My leg feels a bit off, maybe injured. I pushed too hard chasing Nearl just now."
"Pegasus, so scary. The Belmont Stakes… maybe I should just avoid it… Some Uma Musume might get lucky, but it definitely won't be me."
Currently, these exceptionally talented elite little foreign fillies showed varied reactions and behaviors.
Some were stunned by Nearl's performance and record-breaking time. Some were already thinking beyond the race, having lost all confidence in competing with Nearl for classic race titles.
And some… were already planning to avoid, to withdraw from the Belmont!
The only exception was the silent, petite dark-haired girl.
Having returned to her expressionless state, Sunday Silence was actually filled with intense regret.
Among these severely demoralized Uma Musume, Sunday Silence was the only one who still held onto her fighting spirit.
"Hah…"
"Already lost two crowns in a row."
"In that case, losing a third isn't much different. Absolutely no escape!"
"On the contrary, if I turn it around and win… it would be a complete reversal!"
In Sunday Silence's deep, black-and-red eyes, there was still no thought of avoidance.
"Dr. Lin, please watch our final Triple Crown battle well!!"
--+--
The next moment—
From the chaotic stands to the live broadcast watched by tens of millions worldwide, everything paused.
Because the feed from the big screen at the venue to the live broadcast suddenly cut.
The cut switched the live feed to—the Winner's Stage backstage, where the blonde knightly girl was being interviewed.
It was the girl knight clad in metallic armor, her tall and heroic figure standing straight, as if this girl named Margaret Nearl was about to step not onto a victory celebration stage, but onto a real battlefield!
As Nearl appeared on screen, the many discussions and celebratory noises halted. Even Sunday Silence looked up, wanting to see what questions Nearl would answer in the interview.
[Congratulations to contestant Nearl on achieving the Undefeated Second Crown. You're just one step away from the historic Undefeated Triple Crown.]
[But as everyone knows, that final race is the most difficult, the dream-shattering place that has ended many two-crown Uma Musume's "Triple Crown dreams," an undisputed wall of despair.]
[Not only that, due to your outstanding performance, many excellent elite Uma Musume were injured after the Kentucky Derby, or completely avoided the Preakness Stakes…]
[Now, those strong contenders will return for the Belmont Stakes, bringing their fully rested strength to face you in your battle-weary state…]
[So, for this extremely challenging final crown, the Belmont Stakes, facing those fierce incoming rivals, contestant Nearl, do you have confidence in victory?]
[Or, what are your thoughts on only challenging one or two of the Triple Crown races?]
The question wasn't some standard, formulaic one. It was sharp, directly targeting the core of the next race?
Even Treve on stage, who had been contacting Sea the Stars, put down her phone.
This cute little foreign filly from France had been contacting her dear best friend, trying to learn about a certain Dr. Lin's personality from her, preparing for future contact.
She hadn't planned to watch the entire interview even when Nearl appeared on screen.
But after her keen ears caught the content, she immediately set her phone aside. The pink-haired little foreign filly regained her serious side, interested in hearing more.
In the live broadcast, the blonde girl in knightly armor responded in a clear, ringing voice.
"I welcome all challenges in racing, let alone the Belmont Stakes!"
Suddenly, the entire venue fell silent.
Nearl calmly stated her response to the opponents in the final Triple Crown race.
"No matter which Uma Musume, bring it on."
Wall of despair? Barrier blocking all?
No, she was the barrier itself!
"I am—your Final Destination!"
--+--
T/N: New Uma Musume Fic up!
--+--
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.