Racing returns to the Champ de Mars today on a sombre note and just a week after the tragedy that claimed the life of their champion jockey, Nooresh Juglall.
The first race is off at 10h15.
The main event run over 1400m is the 50th Anniversary of Independence of Mauritius Cup which will see a field of nine line up. Some of them are returning to competition on the back of excellent campaigns in 2020.
Horse Guards (photo: Gold Circle)
Horse Guards won a good race last time (Pic – Gold Circle)
One horse who scored a very popular win in his last start is Horse Guards, trained by Preetam Daby. In what was just his second start of his campaign, he won from start-to-finish – rising star Abishek Sonaram coming up with the goods by producing a very well-judged ride. He has been in preparation mode since the off-season and comes into this race in splendid condition.
In the spirit of the kind and generous side of horseracing, Hong Kong racehorse owner Koo Ming-kown will donate HK$700 000 (R1,25 million) to the Juglall family, while Karis Teetan has pledged his riding fees and a portion of his prize money from Wednesday night’s Happy Valley meeting.
Juglall, who became one of Teetan’s closest friends after they met at the South African Jockey Academy, left behind wife Chaaya and young sons Aryaan and Ahaan.
Teetan decided he would donate his roughly HK$10,000 (R18 000) in riding fees to before Wednesday’s meeting and Koo showed his generosity after Teetan saluted aboard his horse Xiang Bai Qi in the final race on the card.
“Nooresh was a family man and he provided as much for his family as he could, so I’m pretty sure this will be a big help,” Teetan said.
Karis Teetan – kind gesture (Pic- HKJC)
“I have spoken to his wife and I have told her about the owner’s generous donation and she is very, very grateful. She can’t thank the owner enough and to be honest everyone around the world is helping her.
“She has to look into what is happening with his insurance but she mentioned his insurance in South Africa was cancelled and to be honest I don’t think his insurance in Mauritius is a big insurance, so I think this money will go towards the kids’ education later on and be used for them to look after themselves now as well.”
Teetan paid tribute to his countryman after riding a double at Sha Tin on Sunday and when announcing his donating on social media on Tuesday he said he hopes “this little contribution will help and encourage others to do the same”, something he reiterated on Thursday.
“Like I said before, Nooresh was like a brother to me and I want to show my respect to his family and show my support to his wife and kids,” Teetan said.