Wiki: Opie Bosson - upcScavenger

Owen Patrick " Opie" Bosson (born 24 July 1980) is a jockey in Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand.

Bosson started as an apprentice for Stephen Autridge, his godfather. He began his race-day riding career as a 15 year old on 25 October 1995 with Comette at Dargaville and soon after had his first win on Fairlie Airlie at Gisborne.

In the 1997 season he was the McBeath Apprentice of the Year at the BMW New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Awards and was eighth on the New Zealand Premiership, behind Lance O'Sullivan, with 75 wins from 703 starts.New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1997 (26th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand. The next apprentice was Mark Sweeney on 53 wins.

On 2 September 1998 Bosson rode the first Australian winner for Chris Waller, Party Belle, in a 2100m maiden race at Wyong.

His first Group 1 victory was Jezabeel in the 1998 Auckland Cup, aged 17.

In March 2019 Bosson surpassed the record of Lance O'Sullivan as the winner of the most New Zealand Group 1 races, with 63 when Melody Belle won the New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie.

As at the end of the 2021 season, Bosson had won:

over 1,800 New Zealand races.
78 Group 1 races (10 in Australia).

In the 2023 King's Birthday and Coronation Honours, Bosson was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Thoroughbred racing.

In December 2023 Bosson became the eighth jockey to record 2000 New Zealand wins when riding Move To Strike to win at Te Rapa. The other seven jockeys to reach that mark were Chris Johnson, David Walsh, Lance O'Sullivan, Noel Harris, Bill Skelton, Michael Coleman and David Peake.

In March 2024 Bosson told New Zealand Herald journalist Chris Rattue that his:

favourite horse was Imperatriz
most memorable race was winning the Caulfield Cup with Mongolian Khan
favourite opponent was James McDonald.

In December 2024 Bosson announced his retirement from race riding. He finished his career with:

2146 wins, 2059 in New Zealand
99 Group 1 victories in New Zealand and Australia
51 wins, including 16 Group 1 races, in Australia
31 wins, including 2 Group 1 races, in Singapore

In July 2025 Bosson indicated he would return to raceday riding.

Personal life

Opie Bosson is the son of Owen and Glenda Bosson. Owen was a prominent amateur jockey.

At the end of 2017, Bosson married TAB Trackside Television presenter Emily Murphy. They separated in 2024.

Notable victories

The following are some of the major races Opie has won in New Zealand and Australia.

Brian Jenkins

Graeme Rogerson & Keith Hawtin

Stephen Autridge

Dave & Paul O'Sullivan

Graeme Rogerson

Paul O'Sullivan

Robert Priscott

Bruce Wallace

Trevor McKee & Stephen McKee

Sir Mark Todd

Mark Walker

Paul O'Sullivan

Graeme Rogerson & Stephen Autridge

Alan Jones & Brett McDonald

Mark Walker

Graeme Nicholson

Mark Walker

Laurie Laxon

Graeme Rogerson & Debbie Rogerson

Bryce Reville

Jeff Lynds

Shaune Ritchie

Bruce Marsh

Jason Bridgman

Roger James

Don Selwood

Jason Bridgman

Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young

Stephen Marsh

Murray Baker

Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman

John Morell

Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman

Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards

Chris Gibbs & Michelle Bradley

Jamie Richards

Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman

Mike Moroney

Jamie Richards

Mark Walker

Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson

Mark Walker

Opie Bosson

( 1980 Births )

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Opie Bosson ( 1980 Births )

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Opie Bosson

( 1980 Births )