Karis Teetan rides 700th winner in Hong Kong
Karis Teetan became only the sixth jockey to reach the 700-win milestone in Hong Kong, joining one of the city’s most exclusive clubs with a victory aboard the David Hall-trained Speedstar (Sweynesse) in the first section of the Class 5 Tai Lam Chung Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
Douglas Whyte (1,813), Zac Purton (1,773), Joao Moreira (1,235), Tony Cruz (946) and Brett Prebble (806) are the only other jockeys to partner 700 winners or more in Hong Kong, leaving the hard-working lightweight in select company.
Teetan, 34, rode his first winner in Hong Kong in September, 2013, triumphing at Sha Tin aboard the David Ferraris-trained Amazing Always (Perfectly Ready) and has since proceeded to a string of elite triumphs including the QEII Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) and Hong Kong Derby (Listed, 2000m) on Romantic Warrior (Acclamation), Hong Kong Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) and Chairman’s Sprint Prize (Gr 1, 1200m) on Mr Stunning (Exceed And Excel) and the Champions & Chater Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) on Panfield (Lookin At Lucky).
Born and raised in Mauritius before moving to South Africa as a 14-year-old to follow his dream of becoming a jockey, Teetan won the South African Champion Apprentice title in 2008 and graduated as a senior rider with 147 wins to his credit.
Moving to Hong Kong 11 years ago, Teetan has since become a force in his new surroundings, posting a career-best season in 2019/20 with 93 wins.
“It’s an amazing number – to reach 700 wins is pretty good. I’m just thankful for all the opportunities and support I get here. I cannot do this without those opportunities I get,” he said. “It’s taken a lot of hard work, too, but I appreciate everything. It’s a nice number and I’m very pleased with it.
“It’s been a long ride but I’ve been enjoying every single moment of it in Hong Kong. It’s my home. This is great.”
Looking to the future, Teetan intends to ride at the highest level for as long as possible.
“As long as I’m healthy and my body allows me to do it, I’m going to keep going. You have got to take every season as it comes and you’ve got to keep working hard and hopefully to get to a high number,” he said.
“Of course, Zac breaks all the records in Hong Kong, but I’m not one of those guys who puts a big target in front of me and then get disappointed if I can’t do it. I just put my head down, just keep working hard and doing my best.”
Adding further lustre to a banner achievement, Teetan landed a double when Pierre Ng’s Winning Steps (Pierro) won the Class 3 Shek Lei Pui Handicap (1800m).
Teetan’s brace was matched by Matthew Poon and Andrea Atzeni.
Poon scored on the David Eustace-trained Podium (Medaglia D’Oro) in the second section of the Class 5 Tai Lam Chung Handicap (1200m) and Manfred Man’s Island Golden (Time Test) in the third section of the Class 5 Tai Lam Chung Handicap (1200m) to maintain hopes of contesting the International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on December 4.
Poon is vying for one of the two remaining places in the 12-jockey series and, with 11 wins for the season, currently sits behind Purton (33 wins), Hugh Bowman (19), Vincent Ho (14) and Teetan (12). With Purton already qualified for the IJC as last season’s Hong Kong champion jockey and Ho also in the line-up as winner of the 2023 IJC, Poon is locked in battle with Bowman, Teetan and Matthew Chadwick (ten) for a berth.
The final two spots will be allocated after the Happy Valley meeting on November 20.
“I’ve just focused on doing my best and trying to ride winners,” Poon said. “I can’t over-think it – I just have to focus.”
Atzeni partnered Beauty Destiny (Star Turn) to victory in the Class 4 American Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m) for Frankie Lor and completed his double when Ricky Yiu’s Giant Leap (Capitalist) prevailed in the second section of the Class 4 Tai Tam Handicap (1200m).
Harry Bentley and Douglas Whyte combined to land the Class 4 Shek Pik Handicap (1650m) with Prince Alex (Animal Kingdom) before Francis Lui’s Brave Star (Myboycharlie) clinched the Class 3 Plover Cove Handicap (1200m) under Ho.
After enduring an evening of near-misses with three minor placings, Purton closed the card in style aboard Danny Shum’s Chill Chibi (Wrote), who closed powerfully to win the Class 2 High Island Handicap (1650m).
Winless since stringing together three victories in a row at the start of last season, the gelding posted his fifth win at Happy Valley – and fourth at 1650 metres.