On a cool Sapporo evening that grew louder with every stride, the World All-Star Jockeys 2025 closed with a rush of emotion. Thore Hammer-Hansen punched the air after sealing the individual crown; Craig Williams earned a hug from connections following a last-gasp strike in the finale; and Hong Kong’s Alexis Badel and Karis Teetan walked back quietly, each giving their mounts a gentle pat after a testing two-day assignment. The crowd’s applause rolled on all the same — part salute, part release — as Team World All-Stars finally cracked the code in Sapporo.
World All-Star Jockeys 2025: Hammer-Hansen clinches individual title, team breaks through
The third leg, a 1700m dirt contest, seemed to tilt the whole weekend. Badel, positive throughout on Okotampe, loomed turning in but flattened late and finished fifth. The race belonged to Hammer-Hansen, who kept Bergun smooth and straight to win decisively — a second victory that effectively settled the individual race before the finale.
For Teetan, ninth on Red Senor, any hopes of a late charge ebbed away. “We travelled well enough behind the leader,” he said, “but when the sprint came, he didn’t pick up.”
The fourth leg, 1800m on turf, delivered the night’s loudest roar. Williams, patient on Pink Jin, peeled to the outside and timed his run perfectly, collaring the leader in the final strides to prevail by a neck. Teetan, stuck in traffic on Meiner Ocean, could manage only ninth; Badel’s partner Grand Gold never landed a blow and finished 12th.
Final tallies and the wider picture
Those results left Badel 12th and Teetan 13th of the 14 riders, a frustrating return that contrasted with the collective success around them. Team World All-Stars, consistent from the opening leg, closed the book with a decisive 246–202 victory over Team JRA — a first triumph since the team competition began in 2015 and a long-awaited end to Japan’s eight-year run.
Hammer-Hansen’s brace propelled him to the individual title on 73 points. Williams’ late strike lifted him to second overall with 66, while Ryusei Sakai’s steady weekend returned 40 points and third place. “I’m overwhelmed by the fans,” Hammer-Hansen said, smiling as he accepted the garland. “Riding good horses in this atmosphere is a privilege. I can’t wait to come back.”
Badel could still take pride from Saturday’s earlier double that showcased his summer form in Japan, while Teetan left Sapporo rueful about luckless passages but upbeat about fitness and rhythm. Both now point home, re-focusing on Hong Kong and the domestic season opener at Sha Tin on Sunday, 7 September.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.com
