Champion NZ jockey Opie Bosson has announced his retirement from race riding on social platform X (formerly twitter) on Friday.
Bosson’s journey in racing began under the guidance of his godfather, Stephen Autridge, where he started as an apprentice. His race-day debut came at just 15 years old, riding Comette at Dargaville on October 25, 1995. Not long after, he celebrated his first victory aboard Fairlie Airlie at Gisborne.
His first Group 1 win was aboard Jezabeel in the 1998 Auckland Cup, aged 17.
On September 2, 1998, Bosson secured Chris Waller’s first Australian victory by guiding Party Belle to triumph in a 2100m maiden race at Wyong.
In March 2019, Bosson broke Lance O’Sullivan’s record for the most Group 1 victories in New Zealand, achieving his 63rd win when Melody Belle claimed the New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie.
Bosson is one of eight jockeys to ride over 2,000 winners in New Zealand.
Some personal news: I’m retiring from riding today. Thanks all the owners, trainers and public who have supported me over the past 30 years. I’ve had an incredibly rewarding career but the time is right for me to move on. Great horses, lifelong friends, forever memories.
— Opie bosson (@opie_bosson) December 27, 2024