Interlude

Dear Reader,

Thank you for reading this fanfic. I am a big fan of Umamusume, as it allowed unsung stories to be told cleverly, yet touched hearts in ways unseen before.

But unlike the original Umamusume, I didn't have the luxury of extended research. Making do with the best information I can gather about these Philippine horses, I am trying my best to create a tale as beautiful and as meaningful as possible. Should you find any inaccuracies in the timeline or characters, please pardon the liberty I took to build them into coherent fiction.

Again, thank you for reading my work, and have a good day.

Love,

The Author

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Author's notes.

1. Ate - "older sister" in Tagalog.

2. Bunso - "youngest sibling" in Tagalog, but can also be used as a term of endearment to a younger sister or brother.

3. Opo - polite "Yes" in Tagalog.

4. Unli-rice - A common fare in fast-food restaurants in the Philippines.

5. HappyBee - Jollibee of course.

6. Banana-cue - a snack made of skewered plantains fried in oil and caramelized sugar.

7. Closed Racetracks - The Santa Ana Hippodrome (1912 - 2002) and the Santa Ana Race Park (1937 - 2008). Ibarra (the real horse) campaigned for the Triple Crown in 2007, and 2008 is a reference to Chapter 2's "another track is closing down soon."

8. Ibarra (2004 - 2020) - a thoroughbred horse of the Abalos Stable, won the first two legs of the 2007 Triple Crown before pulling out from the Third Leg due to bone chips on the right knee. He returned to win the Gold Cup in 2008 and the 2010 Silver Cup. He became a stud horse after retirement, until he died in 2020.

According to the owner, Ibarra is a proud, gentlemanly horse because of his Arabian heritage. Brother of Hagdang Bato through the dam Fire Down Under.

9. Hagdang Bato (2009 - ) "The People's Champ". Considered by many as the greatest racehorse in PH history, Hagdang Bato was a Triple Crown Champion in 2012, a Presidential Gold Cup winner in 2012 and 2014, a Silver Cup winner in 2013, and a 3-time Horse of the Year. 37 Starts, 31 Wins.

According to the owner, Hagdang Bato was unremarkable as a foal, but his features improved as he aged.

10. Sun Dancer - the only mare in PH history to win the Triple Crown (1989). Presidential Gold Cup winner in 1989 and 1990. Dominated her races and retired undefeated.

11. Wind Blown - Presidential Gold Cup winner in 2000 and 2001, Horse of the Year from 2001 - 2003. Considered as the "winningest" of PH race horses with 49 Starts, 36 Wins, and 24 Stakes Crowns.

12. Every other horse mentioned was an actual horse in PH horse racing.