Karis Teetan is confident that his previous experience riding in Japan can give him a useful edge over his World All Star Jockeys (WASJ) rivals when he returns to Sapporo racecourse this weekend.
The Mauritian is set to make his third appearance in the two-day WASJ, which spans the Saturday and Sunday racing at Sapporo, having finished third in 2019 and fifth in 2024.
Teetan started strongly on both of his visits, collecting a win on the opening day of the four-race event, and he hopes his previous success and exposure to Japanese racing more generally holds him in good stead against the overseas riders making their debut in the jurisdiction.
“I really enjoy riding in Japan and this is a good opportunity for me to go back again and represent Hong Kong,” Teetan told Idol Horse.
“It will be my third time in the WASJ and experience is definitely going to count like we saw in the Shergar Cup at Ascot. It makes a big difference having that experience and it should be a nice little edge for me.”
Of the six international riders heading to Sapporo, three will be riding in Japan for the first time.
Argentina-based Brazilian Francisco Goncalves joins Germany’s champion jockey Thore Hammer Hansen and Puerto Rican Cristian Torres as debutants to Japanese racing. Alexis Badel, who is currently enjoying a short-term stint in Japan, will make his second appearance at the annual event alongside Australian Craig Williams, who returns for his 11th WASJ and completes Team World All Star.
The top five overseas jockeys in the finishing order at Sapporo will qualify to apply for a Japan Racing Association (JRA) short-term jockey licence, which is something Teetan has at the forefront of his mind heading into the weekend.
“My little daughter is getting a bit older, so maybe in the next coming season it can be something we look forward to,” he added.
“Japanese racing is really special and the fans make the racing what it is. They come to the races so early, bring flags of the jockeys’ names and the horses’ names, it’s amazing.”
Outside of fleeting one or two-day riding engagements, Teetan has not raced in the JRA on a short-term contract since 2017, when he collected five wins over three weekends. He also recorded two wins across three weekends during a stint in 2016.
The 35-year-old will also get the chance to end this weekend with a Group 3 win when he takes the ride on Purpur Ray in the Keeneland Cup (1200m) on Sunday.
Purpar Ray, who finished 10th in the Keeneland Cup last year, will bid to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner and subsequent globetrotter Satono Reve.
“It’s always nice to have a ride in the big races so I’m looking forward to it,” Teetan added. ∎
