Just over a year after fearing a thyroid problem could prematurely end his riding career, Karis Teetan is in full flight and eyeing a career-best season.

The Mauritian jockey had a nightmare start to last season when sidelined for almost three months by hyperthyroidism, a condition which led to a dangerously high heart rate, fatigue and muscle weakness.

At one stage, he was diagnosed with Graves’ disease – an autoimmune condition that had him fearing he would never ride again.

But after further tests cleared him of Graves’ disease and changes to his medication paved the way for his return to the saddle, Teetan racked up 56 wins for the season.

While that figure was down on what he had produced in previous seasons, he has been in top form this campaign with 45 wins just past the halfway point of the season.

“The season is turning out to be good,” Teetan said. “After the hiccup of last season, it’s nice to get back on the road and get the ball rolling.”

Teetan sits second in the jockeys’ premiership, trailing only six-time champion Zac Purton (66 wins) and holding a 10-win buffer over nearest rival Hugh Bowman.

The 34-year-old’s best finish in the title is third, which he has achieved multiple times during Purton and Joao Moreira’s era of dominance.

While he admitted eclipsing his personal best haul of 93 wins in 2019-20 would be a tough ask, Teetan is determined to maintain his top form.

“I don’t really think about it, I just try to ride as many winners as I can every season, but if I can get close to that number, then I’ll be very happy,” he said.

“It’s a high number to be reaching in Hong Kong. It was always Zac and Joao, Zac and Joao, Zac and Joao, so I’ve always been behind them [in the premiership].”

Teetan boasts a full book of rides on Sunday’s 10-race card at Sha Tin, including Alacrity in the Class Two TVB Cup (1,400m).

The Jamie Richards-trained gelding is chasing a breakthrough win this season after six competitive performances, highlighted by a pair of close seconds.

“Alacrity ran great last time on the dirt and it’s an open race,” Teetan said. “He’s been running very well this season and he comes back to the 1,400m on the turf.”

Teetan and Richards will also combine with last-start Sha Tin winner G Liner in the Class Four TVB Po Leung Kuk Gala Spectacular Handicap (1,650m).

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“I thought it was a good win from G Liner last time,” Teetan said. “Credit to Jamie because he had the horse really well and he was pretty confident that the horse would run well. He allowed me to ride the horse as I found him.

“He pulls a good gate [four] again and he’s got a nice weight [122 pounds], so I think he can get himself in a handy position and he can handle the dirt.”

Starship Eighty, Great Spirit, Amazing Run, Silver Destiny, Affirm, Toronado Phantom, The Best Peach and Massive Action are Teetan’s other rides.