George Simon: Bosson's stunning racing revival
George Simon • August 18th, 2025 5:16 PM
Having a public profile can be tiresome at times.
I learnt a long time ago, not to let your guard down, especially in public.
First impressions are critically important as they can form the basis of long held opinions.
Whether correct or otherwise.
You want to make a favourable impression but sometimes due to youthful exuberance, that's easier said than done.
Many years ago I was speaking at a Racing function in Rotorua.
Taking questions from the floor, I was asked my thoughts on a young apprentice rider called Opie Bosson.
He'd recently started riding and was quickly getting rave reviews from within racing circles.
I remember telling the gathering I was one of many who thought Bosson was an extraordinary talent.
To illustrate my point, we showed a replay of a race at Gisborne a few days earlier where Bosson had ridden the winner of a nondescript maiden race.
There was only a narrow margin between his mount and the runner up.
The second horse was ridden by the vastly experienced senior rider Jim Collett, who had already amassed over 1000 winners in his successful career.
I challenged the crowd to tell me which of the two jockeys had ridden 1000 winners and which one was the apprentice with just a handful of race rides under his belt.
Tellingly, most of the room couldn't tell the difference.
That's how good Bosson was even back then.
Fast forward over 30 years later and Bosson has carved out an incredibly successful career in the saddle.
Over 2000 winners, 99 Group One successes , NZ Racing Hall of Fame inductee, an OMNZ in the King's Honours list.
Several months ago, Bosson shocked the racing world when announcing his immediate retirement from the saddle.
Years of constant dieting along with the physical toll on his body in one of the most demanding occupations had worn him down.
I think everyone was hoping he'd come back after time away to get his mind and body right.
Several weeks ago, Bosson did exactly that, announcing he was refreshed and mentally focused and ready to return to race riding.
Last Sunday, in the mud and rain at Taupo, Bosson showed he's lost none of his guile and skill in the saddle with four winners on the card.
Bosson is the first to admit he's made mistakes along the way.
Will he make mistakes in the future?
Absolutely.
Is it good to have him back in NZ racing?
You better believe it.
