There was no shortage of passion at Sapporo Racecourse on Saturday as the 2025 World All-Star Jockeys series got underway. While German rider Thore Hammer-Hansen celebrated in the winners’ circle and Japanese fans roared their approval, Hong Kong’s Karis Teetan and Alexis Badel could only manage quiet starts — their expressions afterwards betraying both determination and a touch of disappointment.
Teetan, ever the competitor, offered his mount a gentle pat despite finishing mid-division, while Badel shared a rueful smile with connections, mindful that Sunday still holds opportunity. The crowd’s enthusiasm carried through the afternoon, but for the pair of Hong Kong-based riders it was a day to endure rather than enjoy.
World All-Star Jockeys 2025: Teetan and Badel Left with Work to Do
In the opening leg (Race 10, 1200m), Teetan rode Sculptoris from a midfield berth, looking poised at the top of the straight but unable to summon a final kick, finishing seventh. “She broke smoothly and held her place,” Teetan reflected. “An inner draw might have made the difference.” Badel’s partner, On The Blue Sky, travelled sweetly but faded late into eighth.
The second leg (Race 11, 2000m) proved equally testing. Teetan, aboard Namura Hooker, tracked the leaders before flattening out into eighth. “He gave me a smooth ride,” said Teetan, “but lacked the finishing speed. He may prefer a bigger track.” Badel, meanwhile, kept Sam Hunter prominent but slipped back to eleventh in the straight.
Overnight standings placed Teetan tenth and Badel twelfth, leaving the duo with ground to recover on Sunday when two concluding heats will determine the outcome.
Bright Spots for Badel Amid a Challenging Afternoon
While his All-Star rides were muted, Badel showcased his sharp form elsewhere on the Sapporo card. He delivered a front-running masterclass aboard Strawberry Tree in the opening two-year-old maiden over 1800m, winning by three and a half lengths. Later, in the feature Clover Sho (1500m), he produced Storm Thunder with precision timing, surging clear by four lengths to seal an eye-catching double.
The Frenchman has seven more rides on Sunday, while Teetan also holds a strong book of engagements, keeping both firmly in the mix for a turnaround.
Standings and Team Picture
Hammer-Hansen topped the first-day leaderboard on 42 points, ahead of Japan’s Ryusei Sakai (31) and Argentina’s Francisco Goncalves (28). Australia’s Craig Williams, a Derby-winning rider, followed in fourth on 21.
Team WAS (World All-Stars), aided by Hammer-Hansen and Goncalves, lead the team standings 122 to 102 over Team JRA, who have dominated the competition for the last eight years. The format, designed to blend international flair with local expertise, once again proved both unpredictable and absorbing for the thousands who turned out at Sapporo.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz
