Growing up in Mauritius, Karis Teetan’s passion for horses ignited at a young age. “We grew up with nothing really,” he shared with the media. “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, Teetan expressed gratitude for the support he’s received. “It's amazing,” he remarked in an interview with the VRC. “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 jockeys 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 in the room, 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!”
His dream appears to have come true, with a ride on the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Coco Sun in the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup on the cards. He 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.
