New Zealand Star Bosson Calls It A Day

Winning jockey of 2,146 races takes racing world by surprise with retirement at age 44

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AUCKLAND - Opie Bosson has pulled the pin on his illustrious riding career at the age of 44, just one win short of 100 Group 1 victories.

The two-time New Zealand champion jockey took to social media on Dec 27 to announce that he would be hanging up his saddle, effective immediately.

"Some personal news: I'm retiring from riding today," Bosson posted on X. "Thanks to 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."

The heavyweight jockey's career stretches back to the mid-1990s.

His first win came aboard Fairlie Airlie at Ashwood Park in 1995, while he went on to win 2,145 more races, the last of which was his victory aboard Damask Rose at Te Rapa on Dec 14.

Among his feature wins was the 2015 Caulfield Cup aboard Mongolian Khan, his biggest win in Australia. He also won the Australian Derby with the same horse.