Bosson celebrates milestone win

[Wandering Eyes]

Move To Strike (I Am Invincible) provided jockey Opie Bosson with a memorable result on Saturday when winning at Te Rapa.

The Te Akau Racing-trained two-year-old provided Bosson with his 2000^th domestic win and in doing so became the eighth to achieve the feat and joined, in order of most wins, Chris Johnson, David Walsh, Lance O’Sullivan, Noel Harris, Bill Skelton, Michael Coleman, and David Peake.

Beautifully drawn in barrier one, Move To Strike was positioned fifth by Bosson before angling clear in the straight and produced a huge finish to win as he liked by four and three-quarter lengths.

“I knew he was the horse I could get it on today and to do it in these colours for David (Ellis) and the whole Te Akau team is an extra bonus,” said Bosson, who earlier this year was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame and became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

“To hit any milestone in a career is good and to join an elite club of 2000 wins in New Zealand, so I’m quite honoured.”

Bosson won his first race in 1995, first Group One aboard Jezabeel (NZ) (Zabeel) on 1 January 1998 in the Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie, who subsequently won the 1998 Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Top jockey Opie Bosson with his family. Photo: Trish Dunell

The six-time Champion Jockey rode his 1000^th winner in 2010, surpassed Hall of Fame legend Lance O’Sullivan (62 Group One wins) in 2019, now has 94 Group One wins to his credit, and won three premierships.

“I’ve won Caulfield Cups, Derbies, but Imperatriz, what she’s done lately is up there with my highest achievements,” Bosson added.

“It seems everything has happened at the same time, and to be honoured for my achievements in the saddle is really quite humbling.”

Co-trainer Mark Walker was thrilled to be a part of Bosson’s 2000^th domestic win and recalled  the jockey’s early days in the saddle.

“This will give Opie a good thrill and he’s just had such an amazing career, for someone that’s struggled with his weight,” said co-trainer Mark Walker.

“I remember he won his first race when he was 16 years old and he had a postage stamp for a saddle, and full credit to him still to be in the saddle after all these years. And of late, Emily (Bosson) has to take a lot of credit as well.

“It was good to do it on such an exciting horse, as well. Opie has thought a lot of this horse for quite some time. Walker suggested Move To Strike may next contest the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) on 1 January at Pukekohe, while also on the radar is the A$2m Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on Saturday 24 February at Caulfield, Melbourne.

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