The provided chapters detail the life and racing career of a horse named Satan Marco, who was once a human reincarnated into equine form.
**Chapter 3** begins with the protagonist, a human who enjoyed horse racing, finding himself reincarnated as a thoroughbred stallion in France. His dying wish, to live a life surrounded by women, was twisted by a mysterious entity into becoming a stud horse. Initially, he is horrified by the prospect of constant mating and the potential fate of becoming meat if he doesn't perform as a racehorse. He dedicates himself to training, learning to run in a way that maximizes speed, which proves to be a significant advantage. He achieves an undefeated streak in races, baffling onlookers with his consistent victories. However, this chapter ends on a grim note as he suffers a severe spinal injury during a race, realizing he is likely to die. He bids farewell to his jockey and stable staff, expressing regret for not winning one last race.
**Chapter 4** recounts the tragic end of the undefeated champion, Neju Cercle (Satan Marco's racing name), due to a lumbar fracture. The injury was attributed to the immense strain of his unique running style. The veterinarian immediately diagnosed him with "no hope of recovery," leading to his euthanasia. His jockey, Christophe, was devastated, having shared a deep bond with the horse since their debut. The photograph of Christophe weeping as the horse-transport vehicle leaves became a poignant symbol of the human-equine relationship. Christophe was so traumatized that he stopped riding for a period, his jockey's license remaining unrenewed for three years.
**Chapter 5** shifts focus to Sadaharu Nakagawa, the owner of a small breeding farm. He invested heavily, using the Triple Crown winner Gold Fleet for breeding, but the resulting foal, later named Marco, sold for a disappointingly low price at auction. This financial blow threatened Sadaharu with bankruptcy. He returns home to find Marco, his only remaining horse after his mother's passing, and his wife Keiko's optimistic belief that Marco will somehow save them. Sadaharu, despite his despair, resolves to see Marco race. The chapter concludes with the Nakagawa farm downsizing and focusing solely on Marco's training.
**Chapter 6** introduces Kunio, a stable hand at the Haga Racecourse, who becomes attached to the young thoroughbred, Marco, due to his endearing appearance and personality. Marco, now named Satan Marco, is preparing for his debut. Kunio worries about his racing ability, as he has never seen Marco run properly.
**Chapter 7** depicts Satan Marco's debut race. He bolts from the gate, running far ahead of the pack, seemingly out of control. However, after a lap, he inexplicably stops, only to resume racing and eventually win by a significant margin. The commentators are astonished by his erratic yet dominant performance.
**Chapter 8** details Satan Marco's continued success in Haga Racecourse, winning three consecutive races by large margins. Trainer Suguru Komi Nada is perplexed by the horse's behavior, as he consistently disobeys the jockey and shows no reaction to the whip, yet still wins. Komi Nada struggles to understand this "absurd horse" who defies all conventional racing logic. Despite his unusual nature, Satan Marco's wins provide a much-needed financial reprieve for the Nakagawa farm. Komi Nada proposes entering Satan Marco into JRA (Japan Racing Association) races, believing the horse possesses immense, untapped potential.
**Chapter 9** sees Satan Marco's first JRA race, a 3-year-old maiden race at Hanshin Racecourse. During the paddock parade, he stops and stares at spectators' smartphones, causing a commotion. Despite this bizarre behavior, he enters the gate normally. In the race, he again bolts to the lead, running erratically but ultimately winning by a large margin. The commentators are amazed by his performance, noting his speed and stamina.
**Chapter 10** describes Satan Marco's second JRA race, a 5-million-yen class race, which he also wins by a commanding five lengths. His owner, Sadaharu, is ecstatic, and his financial situation improves significantly. Jockey Takahashi, however, is troubled by Satan Marco's uncontrollable nature and the pressure of riding such a unique horse. He contemplates quitting. Trainer Komi Nada, recognizing Takahashi's distress, decides to replace him with veteran jockey Tomonori Yokota for the upcoming Aoba Sho race. Yokota, known for his unconventional tactics, is intrigued by Satan Marco's potential.
**Chapter 11** focuses on Yokota's growing understanding of Satan Marco. He discovers the horse's unique running style, characterized by a soft stride and an ability to maintain a consistent pace. Yokota believes Satan Marco possesses the potential to win the Derby and begins training him accordingly, focusing on developing his stamina and responsiveness.
**Chapter 12** details the lead-up to the Aoba Sho. Satan Marco, despite his erratic behavior, is gaining attention. Yokota, now the primary rider, is determined to harness the horse's abilities. In the Aoba Sho, Satan Marco, ridden by Yokota, initially holds back in the pack, a departure from his usual front-running style. He makes a late surge and finishes second, securing a spot in the Derby. The commentators are impressed by his improved performance and the possibility of him becoming a Derby contender. Yokota, though disappointed by the loss, is confident in Satan Marco's potential.
The subsequent chapters delve into the preparations for the Japanese Derby. Satan Marco's unusual behavior continues to be a talking point, with his endearing nature making him popular with the public. Yokota grapples with the pressure of riding such an unpredictable horse in the prestigious Derby, while trainer Komi Nada remains steadfast in his belief in Satan Marco's talent. The narrative builds anticipation for the Derby, highlighting the rivalry with the strong favorite, Storm Rider, and the unique challenges and possibilities presented by Satan Marco's unconventional racing style. The chapters also explore the intricacies of horse racing, including the significance of draw numbers and the psychological toll on jockeys.
