New Zealand’s two-time champion jockey Opie Bosson stepped out at Sha Tin Racecourse this morning, Tuesday 19 April, to start a three-month contract with the Hong Kong Jockey Club that will take him through to the final day of the current season, Sunday 10 July.
After partnering the Ricky Yiu-trained Packing Pins in the first of this morning’s barrier trials, the Kiwi ace was introduced to local media.
“It’s great to have the opportunity to come here and ride in what we term back home as probably the best racing in the world,” said Bosson. “To be on the world stage and be given this opportunity is a huge thrill.”
Hong Kong is renowned as being one of the world’s most competitive circuits and Bosson is prepared for the challenge.
“I’m here to work hard and get results,” he stated. “My aim is to get as many wins as I can, and realistically I think eight wins would be a good return in the time I’m here.
“I rode against Joao (Moreira) in Singapore and I definitely know what I’m up against, but I rode for a lot of Hong Kong owners in New Zealand so I hope they will support me here and I’ll be happy to pick up as many rides and winners as I can.”
The jockey, 35, has long been one of his homeland’s star turns in the saddle and garnered wider exposure last year thanks to his partnership with Mongolian Khan, a horse he guided to G1 wins in the New Zealand Derby, the Australian Derby and, most famously, the Caulfield Cup.
His first G1 success came at age 17 and he has previously ridden on a short-term basis in Singapore but has always held to his New Zealand base.
“I like the lifestyle in New Zealand but I don’t have many years left in my career so it’s time to try something different and I’m really excited about this opportunity,” he said. “If things go well I’d really like to base myself here.”
Mr. Andrew Harding, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director, Racing Authority, said: “If you look at this season, one of the highlights is the quality and diversity of the jockeys we have had here on short term stints. The quality speaks for itself; the permanent roster here is of such exceptional standard that the quality of a visiting jockey coming in really needs to be high.
“In terms of the diversity, that is important for us too, because it reinforces a very special part of the character of Hong Kong racing, which is its international flavor. Against that background, Opie Bosson is a very welcome addition to our roster here.”
Bosson will commence race-riding at Sha Tin on Sunday, 24 April.
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Photo 1:
Club Jockey Opie Bosson meets the media during a press session at Sha Tin Racecourse this morning.
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Photo 2:
Opie Bosson takes media questions during the session.
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Photo 3:
Opie Bosson says he will work hard and concentrate in order to get good results in Hong Kong.
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Photo 4:
Andrew Harding, HKJC��s Executive Director, Racing Authority (right) and Club Jockey Opie Bosson (left) smile for the cameras.
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