Karis Teetan is relishing the challenge as he prepares for another campaign in Hong Kong when the 2025/26 racing season kicks off this Sunday (7 September) at Sha Tin. 

Teetan, 35, has amassed a remarkable 733 Hong Kong wins across his career in the city, the second most of any rider on the current roster behind Zac Purton (1,878). The Mauritian returns hoping to build on his 44 wins netted in 2024/25 and, while lower in comparison to his regular highs, he is not one to dwell.

“You’ve got to work for everything. Nothing is easy. I’m always prepared for it. I enjoy what I do and love working. I enjoy it every day and I look forward to racing every time,” Teetan said.

“It was nice last season. On numbers I was down overall, but that’s how it goes here. As long as I learn from it and move forward. Ka Ying Rising was definitely a highlight of the season, and it was the first time he tried the trip (1400m). It was exciting for me also to get on him, especially after what he did in December.”

Teetan captured last season’s HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) with ace sprinter Ka Ying Rising as well as the HK$4.2 million G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) aboard Ensued and HK$4.2 million G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1400m) on Patch Of Theta.

“I’m feeling good. It’s another season, I’m looking forward to it again. Last season is gone, and you hope that you can always build on what you did last season and build up on the support from the owners and trainers – that’s the main goal this season,” Teetan said.

Teetan’s best return in Hong Kong came in 2019/20 with 93 wins. He spent the off-season with family in Europe as well as competing in the Shergar Cup at Ascot and World All-Star Jockeys at Sapporo in Japan.

“I’m very happy. I went to ride in England at Ascot. It’s a beautiful track and it was totally different to what we are used to here, so it was nice to get that experience. As well, then I represented Hong Kong in Japan. It’s always good to be in Japan. You meet new connections and ones I’ve already ridden for – both great experiences,” Teetan said.

Teetan prepares to launch his season with the mount on featherweight chance Harmony N Blessed in the HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) against the might of Ka Ying Rising before reuniting with Healthy Happy, a winner three times upon resuming from five attempts in Hong Kong.

“He’s (Healthy Happy) a horse that always runs well first-up. It’s a tough race, Fast Network is in there and he seems to be a really nice horse. Healthy Happy has a very good record first-up and he ran great towards the end of last season,” Teetan said. “If he gets a bit of luck and he’s feeling fresh, for an older horse when he feels fresh, he gives his best.”

Frankie Lor’s on-pacer Healthy Happy is a dual Group 3 winner in Hong Kong from 42 starts. He opposes fellow Group 3 triumphant Taj Dragon – trained by Pierre Ng – this Sunday in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Tai Mo Shan Handicap (1400m).

Ng said: “I was really happy with his (Taj Dragon) trial last Friday (29 August). We’ve put (apprentice) Ellis Wong on to reduce his weight by five pounds. He was a bit unlucky in his last run of last season – he didn’t have much room to finish off his race. He’ll be competitive in this class.”

Teetan also seeks consecutive wins aboard Ka Ying Resilience for dual Hong Kong Champion Trainer (1997/98 & 1998/99) David Hayes this weekend and also rides Speedy Smartie – trainer Brett Crawford’s first entrant in a Hong Kong race.

Sunday’s (7 September) 2025/26 Season Opener is the first of 88 race meetings scheduled this season. The 10-race fixture at Sha Tin commences at 1.00pm with the Class 5 Grassy Hill Handicap (1200m).