Karis Teetan has become only the sixth jockey to reach the 700-win milestone in Hong Kong, joining one of the city’s most exclusive clubs with victory aboard David Hall-trained Speedstar in the first section of the Class 5 Tai Lam Chung Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (6 November).
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 on 8 September, 2013, triumphing at Sha Tin aboard David Ferraris-trained Amazing Always and since proceeding to a string of elite triumphs including the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) and BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on Romantic Warrior, G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) on Mr Stunning and the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on Panfield.
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 won the Class 3 Shek Lei Pui Handicap (1800m).
Teetan's brace was matched by Matthew Poon and Andrea Atzeni.
Poon scored on David Eustace-trained Podium in the second section of the Class 5 Tai Lam Chung Handicap (1200m) and Manfred Man's Island Golden in the third section of the Class 5 Tai Lam Chung Handicap (1200m) to maintain hopes of contesting the LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on 4 December.
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 LONGINES IJC, Poon is locked in battle with Bowman, Teetan and Matthew Chadwick (10) for a berth.
The final two spots will be allocated after the Happy Valley meeting on 20 November.
"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 piloted Beauty Destiny 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 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 before Francis Lui's Brave Star 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, 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 Wrote gelding posted his fifth win at Happy Valley – and fourth at 1650m.
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Saturday (9 November) with the running of the Class 2 Panasonic Cup Handicap (1400m).
