Bossy reins in career

Glen Boss - thanks for the memories G Boss - So happy to have been at Moonee Valley to see you win on the Cox Plate on So you Think and again when you partnered Ocean Park.

By Casey O'Connor

Last week Jockey Glen Boss announced he would hang up his boots and saddle following his ride on Spanish Mission in the group two Zipping Classic on Saturday at Caulfield.

Starting a very short priced favourite, Boss gave Spanish Mission every chance before the gallopers Melbourne Cup campaign caught up with him and he finished fourth.

Despite being denied the fairytale end to an illustrious career, the 52-year-old hoop, who is already a member of the Racing Hall Fame, was never going to quietly slip off into retirement. His riding cohort formed a guard of honour for Boss after he and Spanish Mission completed a parade of honour in the mounting yard following the race and then the fun began.

Always crowd favourite, Bossy flung goggles, skull cap and other pieces of his gear into the crowd. Spanish Mission’s colours were the next to go (think the owners can afford a new set after recently purchasing the European invader after running fourth in the Melbourne Cup). The colours were followed by his riding boots followed by his socks. Stewards, broadcasters and the press had fingers crossed we were not in for a total striptease. Though it would have been no surprise.

Boss retires with a magnificent record having won around 2400 races including 90 Group One races in Australia and six in Honk Kong. His career like many other Queensland riders of his generation had humble beginnings at the Gympie racetrack in 1986.

In a nod to what was to come, Boss was successful at his first ride. After slaying them on bush tracks, he moved firstly to the Gold Coast to finish his apprenticeship then to Brisbane. Successful stints riding in Sydney, Melbourne and in Hong Kong followed. Along with outstanding success came some significant injuries including a broken back in 2002 after an incident in Macau which could have ended in tragic circumstances.

As recently as May the champion hoop was sidelined after surgery on his knee.

While it was three times a charm for Bossy when he combined to win three consecutive Melbourne Cups partnering Makybe Diva, life has not always been a bed of roses. In recent times Boss has been open and forthcoming outlining his battles with mental health and his demons. By sharing that journey, he has undoubtedly helped show others there is a way out of that darkness.

His retirement comes after he admitted to himself that he was no longer 100% invested in his craft although you would have never known it from his ride on Saturday giving Spanish Mission every chance.

Over a career that spanned 36 years with many ups and downs there has been sensational success. Apart from his Melbourne Cup three-pete his impressive record includes four Cox Plates and most other major Group Ones races including a record seven Doncaster handicaps. He also added an Everest win to his resume but the one race missing will remain the Caulfield Cup.

While Boss rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous and some of the world’s leading trainers, he has always found time for the punters as he showed on Saturday.

When he left the jockey’s room for the last time on Saturday, his mounts had amassed an amazing $180 million in prizemoney.

Not bad for a skinny kid from Caboolture who started with the dream and the belief that he would make it to the top.

Bossy we salute you and look forward to what you bring to the table in your new role as an expert commentator with Ladbrokes. It certainly won’t be dull.

G Boss was not the only hoop with retirement on his radar. Newcastle rider Robert Thompson has also pulled the pin on his career. At 63 the popular rider has called time on a career that has seen him clock up more winners than any other rider in Australia. His tally 4447. Thompson estimates he has ridden in more than 30,000 races. Thompson, who chose to remain in Newcastle despite many offers to move to Sydney, said earlier in the week he has had his time in the sun and after 49 year has had enough of travel and wasting for light rides. Thompson is a legend in Newcastle and NSW racing.

The riding ranks are poorer following the retirement of two brilliant exponents of their craft.