His father cut sugar cane, his mother took care of the household and it was with the equivalent of €7 in his pocket that he left Mauritius at the age of 13 to live his dream. : become a jockey. “At the time, this was the money my father could afford to give me by working two jobs” confided Karis Teetan, realizing how far he has come since… Two decades later, he will be part of the closed circle of jockeys having won more than 700 races in Hong Kong. Coming from a very poor background, Karis has an extraordinary journey. From a very young age, he was driven by a single desire: “Very early in life, I had this vision. I didn’t know how or where it was going to happen, but I always wanted to succeed. For this, I knew I had to travel. At 11-12 years old, I presented myself to be selected (on Mauritius), with a view to training at the jockey school in South Africa. We were 150 kids. We all wanted to become jockeys. Out of the 150, they skimmed 140. There were 10 left. And out of the 10, they only took 2, including me, recalls the 34-year-old pilot, born in the small town of Flacq, in “Maurice”, an island in the Indian Ocean, located 150 km from Reunion. Although in theory he had barely more than a 1 in 100 chance of being selected, he nevertheless arrived prepared for the exam: “Around the age of 7, I started skipping school to ride ponies. My parents always guided me well, my father was ready for me to leave, encouraging me to do what I wanted. My mother would have preferred that I stayed. Leaving the country was always going to be difficult, especially since my parents were completely in the unknown, having never traveled themselves. Once in South Africa (in 2003, at age 13), I was trained at the jockey school, an excellent structure. From there, I saw that I was starting to live my dream continues Karis Teetan, who is a very humble, deeply kind, kind and available person. Over the years, I have continued to progress until I became “Champion Apprentice Jockey” (head of the list of apprentices in Flat) in 2008.” With several group victories (including 3 Group I) he then set himself a new challenge. “After having had some great seasons in South Africa, I thought it would be great to take on a new challenge. There I sent my CV to the Hong Kong Jockey Club (in 2013). They asked me to come, and I’ve been there for about ten years. My life has changed a lot since I started, so I’m proud to say that my efforts paid off. Here in Hong Kong, life is good. In the morning, there is the “morning trackwork” (gallops/training), on Wednesday and Friday, the “barrier trials” (training races). After that, 1 to 2 hours at the gym, which leaves plenty of time to find our mounts and do the paper. Indeed, as a jockey, you are responsible for your career, because here, you are your own agent. It is a very important part of the job to maintain good relationships with owners and trainers.”, learns the thirty-year-old who started 2025 (January 1) with a Group III victory, associated with Patch Of Theta in Sha Tin. There is no doubt that as the great meeting on Sunday January 19 in Hong Kong approaches, with two Group Is at the top of the bill (Centenary Sprint Cup, Steward’s Cup), he will have unearthed some good horses and will have the opportunity to stand out.
Below, Karis Teetan celebrating her latest victory at group level on January 1 in Hong Kong
And here his latest success in Hong Kong (there are only 2 meetings per week) relayed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in Sha Tin
Also read
Sunday December 8, 2024 in Sha Tin – HKIR: Romantic Warrior makes history in Hong Kong; “honorable” mention for the tricolors
Wednesday December 4, 2024 in Happy Valley (Hong Kong, China): the Longines International Jockeys Championship – IJC – launches the week
Wednesday December 4, 2024 in Happy Valley (HK) – IJC – International Jockeys Championship: Mickaël Barzalona untouchable
Bio express
34 ans
Born in 1990 in the northeast of Mauritius
Married, one daughter
More than 700 winners in Hong Kong
Won the International Jockeys’ Championship in 2019 (Longines IJC).
Several Group I victories at Sha Tin, including two with Romantic Warrior (2022) et Mr Stunningone with Thunder Fantasy et Panfield.
Started rising in Hong Kong in August 2013
3 Group I in South Africa including Cape Derby with Jackson.
