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'I was happy to get the monkey off my back': Bosson brings up Group 1 century
Jaxin Daniels • February 10th, 2026 1:04 pm
Opie Bosson winning aboard Legarto on Saturday | Photo: Race Images
It was ‘Legends Day’ at Te Rapa on Saturday, which is fitting as another legend was made when Opie Bosson won the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes aboard Legarto.
In doing so, Bosson became just the third New Zealand jockey to bring up 100 Gr. 1 victories, joining James McDonald and Jimmy Cassidy in the history books.
After retiring with 99 Group One wins back in 2024, Bosson couldn’t resist returning to hunt down that illustrious 100th.
“I was happy to get the monkey off my back,” Bosson told Sport Nation’s Scotty and Izzy.
“It took me a while to get my eye in, but I knew I had a couple of good chances.
“I was very happy that I finally got the ride on Legarto.”
“My parents must have known something, they turned up to the races without telling me, so that was a bit of a surprise.”
It wasn’t an easy win for the centurion, with leader Kingswood drifting in front of his chance down the home straight.
“Yeah, I was a little bit worried,” Bosson said.
“But then I had it in the back of my mind that I’ll get him on protest anyway.
“As soon as she had the bump, she put her head down and wanted to really run him down.
“She had the will to win.”
In a career full of champion rides on champion horses in the biggest races in the world, it’s hard to whittle it down to one highlight, so Bosson gave us three.
“The best horse I’ve ridden is Imperatriz,” Bosson said.
“Winning the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley under the lights, that’s a real highlight.
“The Caulfield Cup with Mongolian Khan, that was huge.
“But to bring up the 100 Group Ones, that’s in my top three 100%.”
After sniffing that Group One success once again, Bosson admits it’s made him hungry for more.
“I’ve definitely got the fire in the belly again,” Bosson said.
“I’m looking forward to trying to find another Group One winner.”
If Bosson can grab another five wins at Group One level, it’ll just be James McDonald above him, but that’s something he is realistic about.
“I’ve got more chance of flying to the moon than catching JMac.
“We’ll just concentrate on Jimmy’s one.”
Listen to the full interview below:
