Karis Looking Up, Down Under

SA Jockey Academy graduate Karis Teetan has again been granted permission by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to travel to Australia on Saturday to partner Evaporate for trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes in the Ladbrokes A$5 million Gr1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley Racecourse.

The only condition is that the ‘Mauritian Magician’, as he was popularly known in his time here in South Africa, has to be back for the Happy Valley racemeeting on Sunday 27 October, and the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday 3 November!

Currently tied in third spot on the Hong Kong jockey log alongside the ‘two Matthews’, Chadwick and Poon, with 8 winners each, Karis Teetan rode the unplaced pacesetter Coco Sun in last Saturday’s Caulfield Cup. He now gets a decent chance aboard Evaporate, a winner of the Gr2 Stutt Stakes at The Valley before his third in the Gr1 Caulfield Guineas, when beaten less than a length by Private Life and Feroce. Evaporate will be a second 2024 Cox Plate runner for Lindsay Park, who will also saddle up last year’s runner-up Mr Brightside.

Described as one of the most positive people in Hong Kong racing, Karis Teetan has an inspiring backstory. From humble beginnings in Mauritius to conquering the competitive Hong Kong racing scene, his journey is a reflection of his unwavering determination and resilience.

Now, he is set to ride in the Cox Plate and, looking ahead to the first Tuesday in November, the  iconic Lexus Gr1 Melbourne Cup.

Growing up in Mauritius, Karis Teetan’s passion for horses ignited at a young age. “We grew up with nothing really,” he shared. “The only thing I was doing in Mauritius was running away from school and riding horses.”

His father, a sugarcane cutter, recognised his son’s passion and made sacrifices to support his dream. “Dad would go and work in the afternoon to get extra cash to be able to take me to a riding club,” Teetan said.

At the tender age of 13, his dedication led him to leave Mauritius to attend the prestigious South African Jockey Academy in Durban, a breeding ground for champion jockeys like Douglas Whyte and Felix Coetzee.

Eventually he landed in Hong Kong, where his talent really blossomed. He became a mainstay in the highly competitive jockey ranks, and has achieved significant milestones, including winning the Hong Kong Derby and the QE II Cup aboard Romantic Warrior.

Reflecting on his journey, Karis expressed gratitude for the support he’s received. “It’s amazing,” he remarked in an interview with the Victoria Raing Club. “I never thought I’d be in the position I am at the moment, but you know, I’m just grateful for everyone’s support throughout my years in Hong Kong.”

The lightweight jockey embraces the multicultural environment of Hong Kong racing. “We have Australian, South African, French, and me [in the jockey’s room], so it’s a whole mix-up of languages throughout the race meeting. But, you know, we all get along pretty well. When we go out on the track, it’s really tough, but when we come back after the race, we just all get along pretty well.”

Teetan’s ambition extends beyond Hong Kong, and he has his sights firmly set on the Lexus Melbourne Cup, a race that has captivated him since his early days in South Africa. “When I came to Hong Kong, I learned a lot about the Melbourne Cup,” he said. “Really how big the race is and how important it is for a lot of Australian people. It’s just amazing, the people that come to the races and the atmosphere. You can already feel it just by watching.”

He remembers his first encounter with the iconic Melbourne Cup trophy. “I’d seen it on social media but seeing it in front of me was really like, wow, a privilege, you know?” he said. “I can just picture me holding it when I win the Melbourne Cup one day!” he told the VRC media team.

His dream now appears to have come true, with a ride in the Melbourne Cup on the cards.

Like any ambitious and smart jockey, Karis recognises the importance of showcasing his skills on the Australian stage. “It is good for me to get my name out there a bit as well in those big carnival days, because there are always lightweight horses in those big handicaps like the Melbourne Cup,” he said.

• The 164th renewal of the Melbourne Cup, tagged the ‘race that stops a nation’, will be run over 3200 m on Tuesday 5 November the Flemington Racecourse.