Teetan wins first international jockeys' title in HK
Karis Teetan secured his first LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, seeing off two-time winner Ryan Moore - thanks to a hugely consistent night across the four race-spectacular.
Made favourite to lift the crown following Monday's allocation ceremony, Teetan admitted to feeling much pressure ahead of the star-studded evening. But posted points-scoring performances in the first two legs, before edging past his 11 world-class rivals with a third-placed effort in the decider.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club's chairman Dr Anthony Chow presented the coveted silver whip and a winners' cheque of HK$500,000 (S$87,000) to Teetan, who celebrated a crucial victory in leg two when driving Dream Warriors between horses to score by a short head.
"I still can't believe I've won this challenge," said an elated Teetan.
"I knew I had some decent rides but you still need the horses to perform. I was telling my fiancée (Xaviere Cottereau) that I was really feeling the pressure.
"It's just not a normal day up against the world's best jockeys. I really wanted to do well and I'm glad everything went well.
"It's a different kind of racing when you're out there against so many good jockeys," he said. "Even watching Ryan and Frankie (Dettori) riding here, we'll pick up a few things." - HKJC
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