IS HONG KONG RACING SEEING THE START OF SOMETHING INCREDIBLE?
- Hans Ebert
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
One of my first memories of Karis Teetan was him winning on his first ride in Hong Kong- Amazing Always for David “Darth” Ferraris- and Robyn Louw, then racing writer for Sporting Life in South Africa, telling me that he had fabulous cheekbones and how horses just travel for him.
Someone whom I dubbed “The Mauritian Magician” when having created and managing the Happy Wednesday brand for the HKJC, 36 year old Karis was always a happy-go-lucky character, a bloody nice guy to be around and who hasn’t changed much since arriving in a far more international Hong Kong in 2013 after the now you see him-now you don’t almost cameo appearances of Richard Fourie in the city.
Being able to ride light and starting in a completely new and very much wealth-driven environment, it must have been quite a change of pace for the young Mauritian who came from a family background that would never be considered “rich”. But humble beginnings makes one appreciate the little things in life and gives you an all-important third eye and intuitive perspective of everything going on around you and those you want to be around.
As those who know him better than most would tell you, whatever the odds of his rides might be, Karis Teetan puts his head down and gives everything he’s on the best chances to win.
We saw this last Saturday at Shatin when the city’s racegoers entered one of those twilight zone race meetings and the galloper named Sovereign Fund ridden by the Mauritian rider sailed in at over 50-1.
Though no doubt happy for the connections of this galloper, Karis was probably still on a high after the electrifying win of Mr Incredible, the exciting three year old trained by Brett Crawford, and the middle pin of a treble.
As a jockey who has at one time or another ridden some of Hong Kong’s very best horses- Able Friend, Mr Stunning, Romantic Warrior, Ka Ying Rising- karma is an incredibly powerful force.
Here’s hoping that Mr Incredible, who looks like being something very special, adds an important new chapter to the riding career and life journey of Karis Teetan- and the brilliant baptism of fire, Brett Crawford looks to be absolutely enjoying.
The renewal of the team of trainer Bruce Crawford and one of Hong Kong’s most popular jockeys, who had enjoyed considerable success together back in South Africa with gallopers like Jackson and Thunder Dance, show every sign of continuing from where they left off.
Not being interested in “data” and taking every race as it comes when making the time for the pastime, the Crawford-Teetan duopoly must surely have quite a high strike rate.
It also only stands to reason that success breeds success and having a horse like Mr Incredible and improved gallopers he has inherited, there just might be a conga line of new owners forming outside of the Brett Crawford stables.
Long may this success continue to grow and prosper and be something truly, well, incredible and inspiring.
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