Hong Kong-based jockeys Alexis Badel and Karis Teetan endured a testing conclusion to the 2025 World All-Star Jockeys at Sapporo Racecourse on Sunday (24 August), finishing 12th and 13th respectively in the individual standings. Yet there was cheer for Team World All-Stars, who claimed a long-awaited victory in the team contest, ending Team JRA’s eight-year dominance with a decisive 246-202 success.

The third leg of the series, a 1700m dirt contest, offered Badel a chance aboard the well-supported Okotampe. The Frenchman settled his mount prominently and looked poised to challenge turning for home, but the four-year-old proved one-paced in the straight and faded to fifth. “I thought he wasn’t able to perform to his best,” a frustrated Badel said.

The race belonged to Germany-based Thore Hammer Hansen, who produced another assured ride to steer favourite Bergun to a commanding three-length win – his second victory of the competition. The victory assured the 25-year-old of the individual title before the flag even dropped on Leg 4.

For Teetan, ninth place on Red Senor put paid to any realistic hopes of climbing the leaderboard heading into the finale. “He broke sharply and we were able to race behind the winner,” Teetan said. “But he didn’t respond at the critical moment.”

In the fourth and final leg, Race 12 over 1800m on turf, 2007 champion Craig Williams struck with a perfectly-timed late run aboard the well-fancied Pink Jin. Producing his mount down the outside, Williams collared the leader inside the final strides to prevail by a neck. Teetan, aboard the well-backed Meiner Ocean, was left in traffic and could finish only ninth, while Badel’s mount Grand Gold never threatened, trailing in 12th.

Those results sealed a frustrating outcome for Hong Kong’s representatives, with Badel closing the series in 12th and Teetan one place further back in 13th of the 14 riders who contested the international showcase. Despite their struggles, the broader World All-Stars squad delivered consistency throughout the two days to secure a first win since the team competition began in 2015, turning the tables on their Japanese rivals.

Hammer Hansen’s pair of victories propelled him to the individual crown with 73 points, confirming his breakthrough on the world stage. Williams’ decisive final-leg triumph elevated him to second overall on 66 points, while Japan’s Ryusei Sakai (40) maintained steady form across the four races to claim third.

“I’m overwhelmed by the Japanese fans,” Hammer Hansen said. “It’s a great honour to take part in this competition with some of the world’s great jockeys. It was obviously very nice to know that I won the challenge after the third leg. When you’ve got good horses underneath you, it gives you a much better chance of winning the race. I love Japan and I really look forward to coming back here again.”

For Badel, Saturday’s earlier double on Strawberry Tree and Storm Thunder offered some consolation and underlined his growing reputation in Japan, while Teetan left Sapporo seeking smoother passages after luckless runs in traffic. Both will now return to Hong Kong in preparation for the domestic season opener at Sha Tin on Sunday, 7 September.