Cover image courtesy of Sportpix
Having announced his retirement last December, Bosson had admitted he was physically and mentally exhausted. But time away from the pressures and stress of riding competitively has renewed his enthusiasm, and he’s now looking forward to getting back in the saddle when the 2025/2026 season begins next month.
Currently sitting on 99 Group 1 wins, Bosson already holds the record as New Zealand’s most successful rider at the elite level in local races. Given his class in the saddle, it seems more a question of when, not if, he reaches the century mark.
The spark has come back
Towards the end of last year, Bosson announced he was retiring from raceday riding. It was around Christmas time, and he found himself pounding the pavement, sweating off the extra weight needed for the summer’s top-class racing. That was when he decided enough was enough. The enjoyment wasn’t there, it was becoming clear to him, this was not feeling like it's worth it, he needed a break.
Sitting on 99 Group 1 victories, Bosson made the brave call to step away race riding permanently. But with six months to reflect, reset, and rebuild, the Champion jockey has changed his mind, he is now refreshed, motivated, and ready to return.
“Stepping back from raceday riding gave me the time to take stock of everything,” Bosson said.
Opie Bosson | Image courtesy of Te Akau Racing
“But riding trackwork every day, working with this new crop of horses at Te Akau, and getting fitter than I’ve been in years, I’ve rediscovered how much I love it. The drive is there. I want to give it another crack. I’m serious about it.
“With this new crop of horses at Te Akau, and getting fitter than I’ve been in years, I’ve rediscovered how much I love it. The drive is there. I want to give it another crack.” - Opie Bosson
“We’ve (Te Akau) got a stunning team of horses coming through for the new season, one of the best I’ve seen in a long time, and being a part of their development has made me want to be there on race day too. I’m enjoying working hard on my fitness, and I’d love nothing more than to bring up Group 1 number 100, and beyond.
“I understand some might be surprised by the decision,” Bosson said. “I’ve done the work, and I know I’m ready.
“I’m coming back because I love the industry, I love the horses, and I still have goals I want to achieve, and that includes chasing Group 1 win number 100.”
“I’m coming back because I love the industry, I love the horses, and I still have goals I want to achieve, and that includes chasing Group One win number 100.” - Opie Bosson
How is the weight and health situation?
Opie Bosson’s physical and mental condition is in a much better place, a key factor in his decision to return to the saddle. He credits staying involved with trackwork, even without raceday riding, as vital to maintaining his fitness.
“I didn’t really lose a lot of fitness, and I have got the hunger back again that I lost. I decided about eight weeks ago that I wanted to come back, so I have been training hard,” Bosson said.
“I didn’t really lose a lot of fitness, and I have got the hunger back again that I lost. I wanted to come back, so I have been training hard,” - Opie Bosson
The time away allowed him to reset, both mentally and physically.
“I really needed the break to get my head right and the body right, and everything seems to be going well.
“I have been working on bringing my weight down naturally without having to get in saunas and stuff like that. I haven’t missed a meal, and the weight is coming down perfectly.”
“I really needed the break to get my head right and the body right, and everything seems to be going well.” - Opie Bosson
Bosson has long been a central figure in the Te Akau Racing machine, and that partnership will remain intact going forward.
“I have pretty much been living out at Te Akau Stud, training and working on the farm there. They have been so good to me,” Bosson said.
Already a great, but Bosson’s not done yet
Few jockeys in New Zealand racing history can match the extraordinary credentials of Opie Bosson, whose achievements were formally recognised with his induction into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2023 and an ONZM (Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit) for services to racing.
Bosson reached a major milestone in December 2023 when he brought up his 2000th New Zealand win aboard the now Lovatsville-based stallion and subsequent Group 1 winner Move To Strike at Te Rapa.
Opie Bosson's 2000th win aboard Move To Strike | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
His career tally currently stands at 2146 wins, with 2059 of those in New Zealand, including a remarkable 256 stakes victories.
Bosson has also made a serious mark on the international stage, with 51 wins in Australia, 16 at Group 1 level - headlined by his unforgettable partnership with Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), which included six Australian Group 1 sprint race wins.
He has also won 31 races in Singapore, won twice at Singapore Group 1 level twice (officially classed as Listed level), and ridden successfully in Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong, where he notched up five wins.
As he prepares for this next chapter, one notable change is in his off-track support team. After a long and successful association with jockey agent Aidan Rodley, Bosson has made a switch for the upcoming season.
“Michael Coleman is going to do my rides for the new season,” Bosson said.
Michael Coleman | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
The choice of Michael Coleman, himself a former champion New Zealand jockey, reflects Bosson’s desire to refresh and realign as he returns to competition, with his eyes firmly set on achieving Group 1 win number 100.
Te Akau glad to see Bosson back
Te Akau Racing Principal David Ellis was thrilled with the news that Opie Bosson would return to race riding, with the legendary jockey set to reunite with the stable that he’s enjoyed so much success with over the past two decades.
While Bosson’s comeback wasn’t entirely unexpected, given his steady involvement in trackwork, form analysis, and working on the Te Akau farm, Ellis said the news was still a major boost for the stable and the wider industry.
“It is very exciting, it’s great for the whole of the New Zealand industry, great for Opie himself, and it’s great news for Te Akau Racing,” Ellis said.
David Ellis | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“He’s been working very hard on the farm, and in the gym twice a day, he is very fit.
“The Te Akau owners are very excited. Opie has such a relationship with us and we have had extraordinary success together, it really is a win for everybody.”
Ellis also noted that Bosson’s return was likely influenced by his growing confidence in Te Akau’s upcoming team of horses.
“We know he is a very good judge. He plays a big part in helping us know how a horse is progressing and when they are ready.”
“He is very motivated, he has been riding a lot of trackwork for us, and he is very impressed with the young stock we have, and I think that has a fair bit to do with his decision to return to riding.
“He (Opie Bosson) is very motivated, and he is very impressed with the young stock we have, and I think that has a fair bit to do with his decision to return to riding.” - David Ellis
Ellis paid tribute to Bosson’s incredible career in Te Akau’s tangerine colours.
“We all know the incredible contribution Opie has made to Te Akau Racing. More than 50 Group 1 wins for our stable alone, six Karaka Millions victories, iconic rides on horses like Imperatriz, Probabeel, Avantage, and Melody Belle. He’s a once-in-a-generation rider.
“Hopefully, he is right about our young stock. It could mean we have another big season ahead next year, which would be a big thrill.”
