Te Akau Stable Rider Opie Bosson Retires

Today with mixed emotions we share significant news: one of New Zealand's most iconic jockeys, Te Akau stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM, has made the decision to retire from professional riding, effective immediately. His final riding engagement came yesterday aboard Te Akau runner El Viento at Ellerslie, marking the end of a truly remarkable career, and special relationship with our stable.

For everyone at Te Akau Racing, this is undoubtedly a poignant moment. While we are saddened by Opie’s departure from the saddle, we respect and support the reasons behind his decision. His extraordinary career, spanning over three decades, has left an indelible mark on the racing landscape.

Opie’s innate talent, razor-sharp instinct, and unparalleled accomplishments have enriched the industry across Australasia, and beyond. His legacy as one of the greatest jockeys New Zealand has ever produced is undeniable, not just through his record-breaking successes but also through his incredible horsemanship and dedication to his craft.

Our association with Opie began when he was just 14 years old, and over the years, we have shared countless unforgettable moments, celebrated incredible victories, and forged a special partnership and, importantly, friendship.

As Opie moves into the next chapter of his professional life, we wish to express our gratitude for his immense contribution to Te Akau Racing and the wider industry. His retirement marks the end of an era, but his many riding accomplishments are written into the rich fabric of racing history for all time.  

We wish Opie every happiness and success in his future endeavours. 

Please find below the official announcement released today:

Opie Bosson, one of the greatest jockeys New Zealand has produced, has today announced his retirement from riding.

Bosson, 44, leaves behind an incredible legacy in the sport, winning 99 Group One races in a glittering career which saw him inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2023. In that same year, he was recognised in the King's Birthday and Coronation Honours as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to thoroughbred racing.

He was also immortalised in the memorable "there's only one Opie Bosson" Boys Get Paid chant at the annual Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie. 

Among Bosson's biggest wins were the Gr.1 Australian Derby and Caulfield Cup aboard Mongolian Khan in 2015 and nine Group One wins on champion mare Imperatriz.

"My association with Imperatriz was the highlight of my career. Horses like that don't come along every day and to be involved in her big wins in Melbourne is something I'll never forget," Bosson said.

"Once she retired, it became a lot harder for me to keep going. She probably kept me going really. It's just the right time to hang up my boots now. I feel I've given all I had to give."

Bosson was first apprenticed to his godfather Stephen Autridge, then Te Akau's resident trainer, having joined Te Akau as a 14-year-old, and he enjoyed a long and successful association with the David Ellis-led stable.

"I've done 30 years and it's time for me to start working for a future after racing, something I can be happy in," Bosson said.

"I've had some great times in racing, enjoyed a lot of success and made plenty of lifelong friends. I just want to thank all the owners and trainers who have supported me and for all the camaraderie from the jockeys I've ridden with and all the support I've got from the racing public all over New Zealand."

Bosson brought up his 2000th New Zealand win aboard Move To Strike at Te Rapa in December 2023 and finishes with a career tally of 2146 wins, 2059 of those coming in New Zealand. He won 51 races in Australia, 16 of those at Group One level, as well as 31 in Singapore, including two Singapore Group One races that didn't count towards his international Group One tally: the 2007 Singapore Cup on Recast and the 2010 Singapore Derby on Dream Ahead.

Bosson also rode in Japan, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong, where he was successful on five occasions.

Among those to pay tribute to Bosson was his long-time mentor and friend David Ellis CNZM.

"Opie established himself as world-class, especially the way he rode horses like Imperatriz on the international racing stage. He's been a massive part of our stable," Ellis said.

"He's had to battle weight problems throughout his career and for him to keep going as long as he did and with the success is a real credit to him. He's been a great friend and we'll never forget the success we've had together.

"You think about the Karaka Millions' winners we've had, Melody Belle, Avantage, Cool Aza Beel, Probabeel and Dynastic, and before them King's Chapel right through to all the Guineas' winners we've had together, a Derby Gingernuts, simply too many mention them all. 

"He's been prolific, winning more than 50 Group One races for us. He's been a tremendously successful rider and is a great judge of a horse, with phenomenal balance and that instinct you cannot learn, but are born with," Ellis concluded.

Hall of Fame trainer Murray Baker rated Bosson up with the best riders he worked with.

"He was the complete package. He had a great temperament on a horse, was unfazed on a horse and just had great hands, a prodigious talent. He won three Derbies for us and a Caulfield Cup, among a lot of big-race wins. We had great success together and he'll be sorely missed in the riders' ranks."