Egyptian Queen Rules Over All

On a day that Opie Bosson ONZM rode his 100th Group One winner, it was fitting that he ended the meeting with victory aboard Egyptian Queen (5 m Zoustar – Hieroglyphics, by Conatus) in the $65,000 Dr. John Southworth Memorial Rating 75 1200 metres on Legends Day (7 Feb.) at Te Rapa.

Bosson joins Jim Cassidy and James McDonald as the only other Kiwis to achieve the feat. 

Apprenticed to Te Akau when aged 14, Bosson (45) the six-time Champion Jockey rode his 1000th winner in 2010, surpassed Hall of Fame legend Lance O’Sullivan (62 Group One wins) in 2019, and in 2023 he recorded his 2000th victory, was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM). He was also inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, the same year in which Te Akau dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands) was inducted, whom Bosson combined with for six of her national record 14 Group One wins. 

“Over half of my Group Ones have been for Te Akau and they’ve been my biggest supporters, through highs and lows,” Bosson said.

“I’m very thankful to them for sticking by me and for all the other trainers that have continued to support me. 

“It’s great to tick this off, but I’m hungry to get to 101 Group One wins now and I’m really enjoying my riding.”

Bosson, who rode his first Group One winner aged 17 aboard Jezabeel in the 1998 Auckland Cup, commenced what is over 50 Group One wins for Te Akau with a double in 2003 aboard Distinctly Secret and King’s Chapel, while including nine on Imperatriz, six on Melody Belle, five on Avantage, three aboard Gingernuts and Princess Coup, two on Darci Brahma and also Te Akau Shark - amongst many others.

“He’s proved himself the greatest of all time within the riding ranks in New Zealand, registering 100 Group One wins, just over half of those for Te Akau and 28 of those since 2020,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM.

“He’s had his ups and downs over the years, but so have many of the top jockeys, it’s just the nature of the game – very hard work. 

“What a lot of people don’t realize with Opie is how serious and professional he is when it comes to race riding and to achieve this milestone and over 2000 career wins is testament to that. He’s technically a highly skilled jockey and works very hard at his craft.  

“He first came to work for me as a young fellow and he’s now a very good farmer and stockman, a great judge of a horse, and is an integral part of our Te Akau family. Over the years, with Mark Walker and myself we’ve had a hell of a lot of memorable times and thrills with Opie.

“I was delighted for the owners of Egyptian Queen to get a richly deserved win on such a big day of racing, and adding to the special occasion, the race was named and sponsored by my first vet at Te Akau, Dr. John Southworth, a great friend, and his son Gilbert Southworth has been our accountant at Te Akau for many years.”

The win by Egyptian Queen was an Opie Bosson special, negating a wide draw (11) to secure a lovely spot in midfield, had her clear to challenge in the straight, and timed his finish to grab Jesko Absolut (Shamexpress) in the shadows of the post. 

A previous course/distance winner, Egyptian Queen had closed solidly from last to finish fourth when resuming in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 10 January at Wanganui, and despite lengthy odds she had the ability to prove competitive in a strong race. 

On footing upgraded to Good4, on a day that those in attendance witnessed terrific racing, Egyptian Queen ran 1200 metres in 1:10.1, last 600m in 33.9 (approx.), and paid $22.50 & $5.20 on the NZ TAB tote. 

It was also another good performance by stable-mate When Stars Align (Zoustar) to keep going for close fifth after being pressured in the lead. 

“I was really happy to see Egyptian Queen return to the winner’s circle,” Walker said. 

“She had a serious problem with an eye in the Spring, to the point veterinary advice was to remove her eye which of course would have ended her racing career.  The operation was due for a Monday, but she had a medical miracle over a weekend, and just kept improving and was able thankfully to return to racing.  Her owners have been very patient and it paid off with an excellent win.

“It was a good ride by Opie (Bosson) from a difficult draw and it was a fitting finale on the day he got his 100th Group One win. He’s riding in really good form and we expect Egyptian Queen can carry on with her good form in this campaign, too.

“She’s always been a talented filly and mare and she’s the type that can sprint with the best of them if she gets the right sort of trip.”

On course, co-trainer Sam Bergerson said: “It was a great ride by Opie, pinpoint timing, and she’s been a mare that hasn’t had a lot of luck throughout her career and she’s had her share of setbacks as well, with a few injuries.

“She blew the start (first-up) at Wanganui, and was really good late. Hayley (Hassman) rides most of her work and she was gutted not to be on, but she rode When Stars Align well. We’re proud of both of them.

“It’s a massive thrill to see Opie achieve what he has today, and what he does for our team at trackwork, things that aren’t seen by too many people, is fantastic and he’s just a tireless worker.”

Owned by the Te Akau She Reigns Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Egyptian Queen was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $220,000, from the draft of Westbury Stud, at the Karaka 2022 Book 1 Sale.

Egyptian Queen is by Australian reigning Champion Sire Zoustar (Northern Meteor), whose progeny won over 500 races in 2024 which saw him crowned Best Sire of Winners Worldwide. He was also Champion First, Second, and Third Season Sire in Australia, and continues a phenomenal record. 

Interestingly, Zoustar was sold to stud for A$14 million in the week leading up to his victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, which provided jockey Jim Cassidy with his 100th Group One winner. Cassidy claimed Zoustar to be “a better three-year-old than Redoute’s Choice and more brilliant than Pierro”.

The dam of Egyptian Queen, Hieroglyphics, won four sprint races in Sydney. Her sire Conatus, by super sire Danehill, was a fast horse and doing a good job as a broodmare sire. 

Egyptian Queen carries a Danehill cross through dam line of Zoustar and sire line of the dam.

Egyptian Queen was strapped by Megan Fenwick.

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz