Chapter 303: The Most Luxurious Race
Late March, aboard a flight from Japan to Dubai.
Almond Eye sat by the window, practically pressed against it, staring unblinkingly at the dreamlike sea of clouds outside.
Her face was full of barely contained excitement, and her words tumbled out rapidly as she talked nonstop about her first time flying:
"Wow, the clouds are so beautiful!"
"Trainer, Kita-senpai, you know what? I was so excited last night that I couldn't sleep at all—I kept imagining what it would feel like to be on a plane."
"I never thought that from this high up, the clouds would look like huge, fluffy cotton candy… it feels like I could just reach out and grab them. It's amazing!"
As she spoke, she even stretched out her hand as if trying to touch the clouds, her eyes sparkling with wonder and delight.
Sitting beside her, Kitasan Black looked just as excited.
She gently patted Almond Eye on the shoulder and said with a smile:
"Yeah, I didn't expect to be traveling abroad like this either."
"When I flew before, it was either with my grandpa for trips or with Dia-chan and the others. But it's my first time flying for training and study like this."
"This journey is definitely going to be something special!"
As she spoke, she turned her gaze out the window as well, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Almond Eye nodded repeatedly like a cheerful little bird. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned curiously toward Makoto, who was sitting in the aisle seat, her eyes shining with curiosity.
"So, Trainer, can we really stay at that sail-shaped hotel?"
"I heard it's one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, with super fancy decorations, all kinds of amazing food, and lots of fun things to do!"
She gestured animatedly as she spoke, her face full of eager anticipation.
Makoto was holding a Dubai World Cup race handbook, absorbed in reading.
Hearing her question, he looked up slightly, glanced at Almond Eye with a hint of amazement, and nodded.
"Yeah, I didn't expect it either."
"For participants like REAL STEEL and Duramente, it makes sense they'd get that kind of top-tier treatment."
"But I didn't think even we, just visiting for observation and study, would receive the same kind of treatment."
"All I can say is… the Dubai URA Association is seriously loaded."
As he said this, he shook his head slightly, a trace of astonishment in his eyes.
Compared to Japan, Dubai's Twinkle Series started later, but its development has been astonishingly fast.
In just a few decades, Dubai has poured massive funding into the series, cultivating outstanding Umamusume and trainers.
Today, the Godolphin Tracen Academy in Dubai has become the largest and most luxurious academy in the world—bar none.
As for competitions, Dubai's global events are centered around the "Dubai World Cup."
Like race days in Japan, it features multiple races across different tracks and categories held within a concentrated timeframe—often called "the most expensive races in the world."
The very first event already had prize money close to $8 million, and it has only continued to rise.
Now, in just a single day of races, Dubai awards over $20 million in prize money to winners.
Moreover, to attract more participants, they cover all accommodation and living expenses after arrival.
Umamusume, trainers, and related professionals can stay for a week in a seven-star hotel, which even includes dedicated training facilities.
And that seven-star hotel is exactly the "sail-shaped hotel" Almond Eye mentioned.
After expressing his amazement at the Dubai URA Association's wealth, Makoto briefly explained everything he had learned to Almond Eye and Kitasan Black.
Almond Eye listened intently, then couldn't help but exclaim:
"That's unbelievable! A hotel that cost 3 billion dollars to build… how comfortable must it be to stay there?"
"That's actually the artificial island still under planning, Almond Eye—that's the one the trainer said cost 3 billion," Kitasan Black corrected with a smile.
Then, her face lit up with anticipation as well:
"But the completed hotels must already be incredibly luxurious. I've never been to Dubai before—only heard about it from my grandpa."
"He said a lot of places there are desert, with hardly any trees."
"But for hotels to have so many trees and even build grass tracks… that must cost an unbelievable amount of money."
"I'm really curious what it feels like to stay there… and what it's like to run and race on that kind of track."
Makoto looked at the two energetic Umamusume and smiled. "You'll get the chance."
"Once we arrive, the Dubai association will have staff to receive us. We can follow them for a tour, and you can even try running on the track yourselves."
"And since I'm a trainer and Kita is an active runner, we might even get the chance to interact with the racers participating in the Dubai World Cup—maybe even train together."
"I already submitted a request for that before coming, so we should get a reply once we arrive."
Almond Eye and Kitasan Black nodded vigorously, their eyes sparkling with boundless anticipation for the upcoming trip to Dubai.
On the plane, the three continued chatting and resting for quite a while.
From time to time, Almond Eye would still glance out the window, immersed in the sea of clouds, as if trying to etch the breathtaking view into her memory forever.
Kitasan Black leaned back in her seat, sometimes sharing stories from her past travels with Almond Eye, and sometimes discussing the upcoming Dubai trip with Makoto.
Makoto patiently responded to them while occasionally flipping through the Dubai World Cup handbook in his hands, trying to extract as much useful information as possible.
As the plane gradually descended, the cabin trembled slightly. Almond Eye and Kitasan Black straightened up excitedly, their eyes fixed on the land of Dubai coming into clearer view outside the window.
The plane landed smoothly at Dubai International Airport. As the cabin doors slowly opened, a wave of hot air carrying the scent of the desert rushed in.
Dragging their luggage, the three stepped off the plane with eager anticipation, setting foot on this land of mystery and luxury.
At the airport exit, they quickly met the reception staff sent by the Dubai association.
Dressed in traditional Arab attire, the staff greeted them warmly with friendly smiles.
Led by them, the trio exited the airport, where a luxury business car was already waiting.
The car started smoothly, driving through the streets of Dubai.
Almond Eye and Kitasan Black were like two curious little birds, their eyes constantly wandering as they eagerly took in the scenery outside.
Towering skyscrapers lined both sides of the road, where modern architecture blended seamlessly with traditional Arabian styles, creating a unique charm.
In the distance, the vast desert shimmered with a golden glow under the sunlight, forming a striking contrast with the bustling city.
The car sped along, and before long, a magnificent structure shaped like a sail appeared before their eyes.