Opie Bosson to make comeback!!!

[Chief Stipe]

THERE IS ONLY ONE! OPIE BOSSON CONFIRMS COMEBACK 🔥🍊🏆 

Opie Bosson Returns for New Season!

Https://bitofayarn.com

Te Akau Racing is delighted to announce that Hall of Famer Opie Bosson ONZM, one of New Zealand’s greatest jockeys, has today confirmed that he will return to the saddle for the new racing season beginning 1 August.

Bosson stepped away from race day commitments in early 2024, having achieved a remarkable 99 Group One victories and over 2100 career wins, creating an enduring legacy few in New Zealand racing can match.

Now, after a year working closely within Te Akau Racing - both riding trackwork at our Matamata base and playing a hands-on role at Te Akau Stud - Bosson has made the decision to return, refreshed and highly motivated for the challenges ahead.

“Stepping back from raceday riding gave me the time to take stock of everything,” Bosson said. “But riding trackwork every day, working with this new crop of horses at Te Akau, and getting fitter than I’ve been in years - I’ve rediscovered how much I love it. The drive is there. I want to give it another crack. I’m serious about it.”

Bosson, who was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2023 and awarded an ONZM for services to racing, admits the spark and desire was reignited over recent months.

“We’ve (Te Akau) got a stunning team of horses coming through for the new season - one of the best I’ve seen in a long time - and being a part of their development has made me want to be there on race day too. I’m enjoying working hard on my fitness, and I’d love nothing more than to bring up Group One number 100, and beyond.”

Te Akau Racing Principal David Ellis CNZM said he was proud to support Bosson’s return, emphasising the dedication and professionalism he has shown during his time off the track.

“Opie has been working every day in the gym at the farm, riding trackwork, and contributing to our programme on the farm and at the stables,” Ellis said. “He’s as focused and determined as ever, and you can just see he's rejuvenated and the enthusiasm is real. He hasn’t made this decision lightly - he’s earned the right to make this comeback on his terms, and we’re right behind him.”

Ellis added: “We all know the incredible contribution Opie has made to Te Akau Racing. More than 50 Group One wins for our stable alone, six Karaka Millions' victories, iconic rides on horses like Imperatriz, Probabeel, Avantage, and Melody Belle. He’s a once-in-a-generation rider.”

Bosson 's return is not a change of heart - it's the next chapter in a truly exceptional career, driven by a deep connection to the horse, the thrill of race riding, and a passion that clearly remains undimmed.

“I understand some might be surprised by the decision,” Bosson said. “But for me, it’s come from a place of genuine passion and purpose. I’ve taken the time, I’ve done the work, and I know I’m ready. I’m coming back because I love the industry, I love the horses, and I still have goals I want to achieve - and that includes chasing Group One win number 100.”

[Special Agent]

Chasing unfinished business of Group win # 100 makes sense but, I'd imagine there would be stringent weight related terms attached to his licence, starting with his registered riding weight.

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, Special Agent said:

Chasing unfinished business of Group win # 100 makes sense but, I'd imagine there would be stringent weight related terms attached to his licence, starting with his registered riding weight.

Why would there be any special terms on his licence?  He will still be like many Senior Jockeys (and some not so senior) who constantly have weight management issues.

That said if he were to be contracted to ride for specific stables on a retainer I imagine that it would be stipulated in the contract what the expectations around weight were.

[Newmarket]

Has he been gelded yet 🤭

[Chief Stipe]

2 minutes ago, Newmarket said:

Has he been gelded yet 🤭

I'd say he's had more opportunities than you regardless.

[Newmarket]

2 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

I'd say he's had more opportunities than you regardless.

Mine have weighed more….

[Chief Stipe]

1 minute ago, Newmarket said:

Mine have weighed more….

I'm surprised you are still breathing.  

[Newmarket]

6 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

I'm surprised you are still breathing.  

That’s it bro, let’s have a laff, you’ve been pretty stressed with your posts tonight, I worry about you..

[Chief Stipe]

9 minutes ago, Newmarket said:

That’s it bro, let’s have a laff, you’ve been pretty stressed with your posts tonight, I worry about you..

Not stressed at all.  I find you amusing but not very humorous.

[Huey]

Does there come a point in volume of retirements/comebacks when you can't announce a retirement or a comeback anymore? 

I mean whats the limit 1 , 2 , 3 , 5,  7 perhaps 19???

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, Huey said:

Does there come a point in volume of retirements/comebacks when you can't announce a retirement or a comeback anymore? 

I mean whats the limit 1 , 2 , 3 , 5,  7 perhaps 19???

In your case 1.

[Huey]

3 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

In your case 1.

I'll never retire Chief , you'll miss me too much!

[Special Agent]

On 7/3/2025 at 2:17 PM, Chief Stipe said:

That said if he were to be contracted to ride for specific stables on a retainer I imagine that it would be stipulated in the contract what the expectations around weight were.

Just wanted to point out that there are weight stipulations, like for starters a jockey must be 58.5kg or less to reapply for their licence.

[Chief Stipe]

41 minutes ago, Special Agent said:

Just wanted to point out that there are weight stipulations, like for starters a jockey must be 58.5kg or less to reapply for their licence.

I'm sure he has got that well covered as he will be aiming to ride regularly at 56kg.

So hardly "stringent licensing terms for his license" as they apply to all.

Next...

[Huey]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

I'm sure he has got that well covered as he will be aiming to ride regularly at 56kg.

So hardly "stringent licensing terms for his license" as they apply to all.

Next...

Good to have him back , another reason for Chief TA cheer squad to get excited! 

Maybe you will put your hand in your pocket and buy a horse now? 

[Chief Stipe]

27 minutes ago, Huey said:

Good to have him back , another reason for Chief TA cheer squad to get excited! 

The Boys Get Paid squad are even more happy - they can go back to their old chant.

[Murray Fish]

57 minutes ago, Huey said:

2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

 

Good to have him back , another reason for Chief TA cheer squad to get excited! 

sigh, he simple deserves serious respect for the effort needed to just be able to turn up on any race day!  nothing to do with TA.  At least he gets well rewarded for his talent and effort! many risk life and limb for a lot less, then for that  the effort they put in! they then get to suffer later in life for the tragic eating styles that the need to be a jockey does to them! 

[Special Agent]

58 minutes ago, Murray Fish said:

they then get to suffer later in life for the tragic eating styles that the need to be a jockey does to them! 

Ain't that the truth, irrespective of how successful you were.

[Huey]

On 5/07/2025 at 1:59 PM, Murray Fish said:

sigh, he simple deserves serious respect for the effort needed to just be able to turn up on any race day!  nothing to do with TA.  At least he gets well rewarded for his talent and effort! many risk life and limb for a lot less, then for that  the effort they put in! they then get to suffer later in life for the tragic eating styles that the need to be a jockey does to them! 

Absolutely agree ! 

[Chief Stipe]

Bosson in right head space and weight range for racing return

www.nzherald.co.nz

Https://bitofayarn.com

The most surprising aspect of champion jockey Opie Bosson’s comeback is his weight.

The 44-year-old superstar of the saddle has confirmed what many horse racing industry insiders had suspected, that he will return to race riding in August after a brief retirement.

Bosson stunned punters when retiring on 99 domestic Group 1 winners last December, his motivation at an all-time low after years of battling his weight and as he was also going through a marriage break-up.

There was always the feeling that once Bosson got his body and head right, he would return. After all, who retires on 99 not out?

But while the return isn’t a surprise, just how right Bosson has got his body is.

He is 58.5kg, down from a summer high of around 65kg and aiming to weigh around 56kg when he starts back in the first week of August.

“I have been training hard and keeping off the beer,” Bosson told the Herald.

“I feel good and now I have decided I am going to do this I feel really good about it.

“I want to get down to 56kg to give myself options as a lot of the good fillies and mares carry around that weight.

“I have been riding track work and jump outs and return to the trials [Cambridge] on Tuesday.”

While the Opie’s Century countdown will be a focal point of his comeback, he won’t get a shot at that until the Tarzino Trophy at Ellerslie on September 6 – but he already has a first main target in mind.

“There is a $100,000 Polytrack Championship race at Awapuni on August 3 I’d love to win,” he sayheq

After that he says he can’t wait to partner Group 1-placed two-year-old Hostility when he returns on a 2000 Guineas path. Whether he gets to ride Te Akau stars like Damask Rose, Return To Conquer and La Dorada is undecided, though, as that trio are all set to start their spring racing in Victoria.

“We haven’t spoken much about the Australian horses [trained at Cranbourne] and my involvement over there,” says Bosson, who is expected to be on some sort of retained rider agreement with Te Akau.

“Both Damask Rose and Return To Conquer are already over at Cranbourne and La Dorada heads there on Wednesday.”

Te Akau heading into the new season with their stable strength split either side of the Tasman won’t be the only professional change for Bosson next season, with former jockey Michael Coleman taking over as his riding agent.

Bosson’s return to the jockey’s room will mean New Zealand’s riding ranks, particularly in the north, are the deepest they have been in at least a decade in terms of experience.

He will join soon-to-be premiership winner Craig Grylls, former champs Michael McNab and Warren Kennedy, Joe Doyle, Sam Spratt, George Rooke and a long list of other proven Group 1 jockeys, including Samantha Collett, who has returned from Queensland.

Fewer than half of those seniors will be riding at Te Rapa today, with some still on holiday, while the card also has reduced opportunities, with three jumps races and the trainers of plenty of the horses in the main two races using apprentices to claim.

The $40,000 main sprint pips the Te Awamutu Cup for race of the day at a typical winter meeting where how the horses handle the track will matter as much, if not more, than class on the Heavy 10.