Karis Teetan – successful first season
photo: Hamish Niven
If you’d asked Karis Teetan if he would have been happy to take 38 plus winners in his first season in Hong Kong, the answer would have been a resounding YES. But pose the same question in relation to his second season, and the answer is emphatically different. Thoroughmedia‘s Simon Burgess chats to the ‘Mauritian Magician’
After a few initial teething problems establishing himself early doors in the racing mecca, coupled with the odd suspension brought about more through determination than carelessness, Teetan is really starting to make his mark. Nine years after entering the South African National Jockey Academy, Teetan is now firmly on the international radar. His hard work and perseverance is paying off in spades and attracting international recognition that will see him ride the Japanese raider Uncoiled in the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup this Sunday. He’ll be looking to complete the trifecta and add a group one victory to the group two and group three victories he already has in his keeping from what has been an extremely productive maiden season. It hasn’t been a bed of roses for the likeable and focused Mauritian, with stiff competition for rides from fellow lightweight Joao “Magic” Moreira, but the “Mauritian Magician” as he has become affectionately known in the Far East, is certainly making the most of his opportunities.
Talking with Karis at Sha Tin on Thursday morning, it is very evident he hasn’t forgotten his humble beginnings and where he’s come from, wanting to talk more about the horses he used to ride in South Africa and the successful exploits of his former boss, trainer Brett Crawford, who he hopes to be riding again for one day but in Hong Kong! We find out what it’s like riding in the most competitive jockey colony in the world.
Karis, you’re really making your mark in Hong Kong? “As you know, I had a great start and the support now is getting stronger and stronger and I feel very blessed to be here and hope to carry on doing well”
A horse who recently left South Africa and has arrived in Hong Kong is the half-brother to Soft Falling Rain, My Nephew Eric? “Yes he’s a lovely horse! His name has changed and I’ve trialed him and worked him, he’s going extremely well. I think he’s going to do very well here with such a great action. You know South African horses do so well wherever they go. I’m hoping I can stick with him because he’s the sort of horse that could really help me here.”
You’ve been in Hong Kong a while now and had a chance to compare the Hong Horses to South Africans, how do they measure up? “You know, I’ve had a chance to weigh them up now and as you see when Mike De Kock takes his horses overseas, South Africans can be very competitive at the highest level. I’ve come here now and ridden some group one horses here and as you know they buy horses for here from Australia and New Zealand and there’s no doubt our South African-bred horses are up there with the best in the world and very strong. It’s just a pity we don’t get to see more of them travelling.
Support – Tony Millard and Karis Teetan
You’ve been getting a lot of support recently from some of the power house stables like John Moore and John Size and of course from Tony Millard. Have you had to make many adjustments to your style and how you ride since coming here? “It’s a very very different riding style here compared to back home in South Africa. I really appreciate that the top trainers here are so trusting of me and putting me on these horses. Obviously being a light weight here also helps a lot especially when you have horses moving up in class and down in weight, it opens a lot of doors for me. This is especially so with the big stables like John Moore and John Size who have some amazing horses that can take me places, I hope. Moore has given me a Group Two winner in Able Friend and I’ve ridden the Derby winner in Designs On Rome which is a great thrill. Tony Millard has been a great supporter and I’m very appreciative of that.”
Its obviously very competitive here amongst the riding ranks particularly between Joao Moreira and yourself as the two lightest jockeys here? “You know there’s only two of us here who can ride the bottom weight and at the end of the day, Joao can only ride one horse in the race so it gives me a chance and when I get the chance, I do my best and give it my all.
Its coming towards the end of your first contract here and you’d have to be confident that you’ll be offered another contract? “I’m very happy here. I’m relaxed and don’t have to worry about anything. I’m loving it here! It’s the best racing in the world and who’d want to let go of it? With 39 winners so far, I’m hoping that the club will give me another contract but it’s up to them.”
Well let’s hope that you do get a renewed contract as I’m sure everyone back in South Africa is enjoying your success! “Oh definitely, I’ll never forget where I’ve come from, and how I got here. I always keep an eye on all the horses, especially Brett Crawford’s. I’m going home in July and hope to get a few rides in Durban but if not, I’ll just chill out and enjoy being home. So if anyone’s looking for a lightweight in a Group One give me a call (laughs)”
Sunday’s a big day with the Group One QEII and you’ve picked up a great ride in the Japanese raider Uncoiled? “I was quite surprised to get the call and feel very blessed to get such a great ride. It’s exciting to see that there’s people out there who’ve been watching me ride and can trust me. It’s hard to get these horses to travel well, let alone to get them to a Group One, so I’m happy to take my chance.”
Uncoiled has got some good form behind Gentildonna and Just Away who beat Vercingetorix last time out in the Dubai Duty Free? “His form is very good, he’s fresh and he’s a happy horse. His form line behind Just Away is very strong so if he brings that form on Sunday, he’s a big runner. All the work’s done now and we will just tick him over til race day. When I rode him earlier in the week he was pretty happy underneath me and he gave me a great feel. It’s not going to be an easy race but having him happy makes my job a bit easier.”
Will having such an intimate knowledge of the local horses like Designs On Rome help? “For sure, I’ve ridden Designs On Rome and won on him. He’s very good. Military Attack is a champion and he’s just come back from Dubai so you don’t know how he’s going to go. Then you’ve got the De Kock pair who you know are going to be very competitive. Group Ones are never easy, but generally the best horse wins the race.”
You’ve certainly been in a great vein of form over here. Lets hope you can cap it off with a Group One on Sunday? “Its been great. First a Group Three win then a Group Two. A Group One would just be the cherry on top! Whatever happens on Sunday, there is one thing for sure. The racing world is going to be hearing a lot more of the name “Teetan” in the future especially when racing powerhouses like the Japanese start knocking on your door and when an industry needs heroes, that can only be a good thing.
