Karis Teetan, Chris So, family and Hong Kong Jockey Club staff among those stranded in Dubai after missile strike hits airport as travel uncertainty grows

Twenty-six people connected to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, including jockey Karis Teetan, trainer Chris So Wai-yin, members of their immediate families and two of So’s staff, remain stranded in Dubai after missile strikes and falling debris damaged Dubai’s main airport and forced widespread flight disruption across the region.

“There are 26 in total,” HKJC Head of Racing Andrew Harding said. “It includes Karis, Chris, their family members, stable staff, owners and some of our HKJC employees and broadcasting staff.”

Dubai International Airport reported minor damage to part of a passenger concourse and said four people were injured in an incident that prompted evacuations and the suspension of flights, as airspace closures and airline cancellations spread across the Middle East amid the rapidly escalating conflict. Dubai Airports said operations at both Dubai International and Dubai World Central, Al Maktoum International were suspended until further notice.

The racing fallout is immediate for Hong Kong, with Teetan unable to return in time to take midweek mounts at Happy Valley. 

“Karis won’t be declared for Wednesday," Harding said. "We hope airspace may reopen in time for him to return, but at this stage he won’t be declared.”

Harding said the HKJC had established direct communication with all 26 individuals and extended accommodation while the situation remains fluid.

“We’ve established communication with everyone. We have all of their details and know exactly where they are.

“We’ve engaged our health services provider so that if anyone requires assistance, we can provide that. We’ve also extended their hotel reservations to ensure they have certainty around accommodation.”

Harding said alternative travel options had been assessed but were not currently viable and the advice was to remain in place.

“We are constantly monitoring the situation and assessing what is possible,” he said. “At the moment, the best advice from the experts we’re relying upon is for them to remain where they are and wait for further developments. If a viable option becomes available, we’ll act on it.”
 

The stranded party includes the owners of Sing Dragon, the Hong Kong runner trained by So, which raced at Meydan on Saturday when the Emirates Super Saturday meeting went ahead despite the rapidly worsening security situation.

Sing Dragon was unplaced in the Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal over 1200m on dirt, ridden by Teetan. 

“Our thoughts are with our colleagues, owners and riders in Dubai," Harding said. "We are in constant communication and will provide whatever support we can.”

Beyond Hong Kong’s midweek riding picture, the crisis has placed major uncertainty over the Dubai World Cup meeting scheduled for April 5, one of the sport’s biggest international fixtures and headlined by the Dubai World Cup, worth US$10 million.

Many overseas horses are entered but have yet to travel to the Middle East, leaving preparations and logistics exposed to any prolonged disruption to airspace and airport operations in the coming days.