Stephen Baster joins Singapore riding ranks

SINGAPORE:  Dec 15, 2011

Australian jockey Stephen Baster is the latest new face to be granted a Club’s Licensed Jockey licence by the Singapore Turf Club.

Based in Melbourne, Baster, 37, will join the riding ranks in Singapore from Jan 1 for a six-month term.

Baster has more than 1,000 winners in 20 years in the saddle. Amongst his 11 wins at Group 1 were the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Handicap aboard MOOKTA (Jugah - Not So Lucky by Sobar) while still an apprentice.

He has been stable jockey for the Dale Sutton stable in Victoria for the past four years and has 15 winners so far this season which commenced in August. He currently goes to scale at 53kg.

Joining Baster on Jan 1 will be Owen ‘Opie’ Bosson, 31, who has enjoyed previous experience in Singapore firstly in 2007. Last year the New Zealander returned to Kranji partnering RACE AHEAD (Al Akbar - Mertie Love by Spectacular Love) to victory in the Emirates Singapore Derby.

With more than 1,100 winners to his credit, Bosson took out the 2009/10 New Zealand jockey’s premiership before finishing third last season.

Bosson is being sponsored to allow him to ride for fellow New Zealanders – trainers Bruce Marsh and Mark Walker – and currently goes to scale at 54kg.

British jockey Alan Munro, 44, currently riding in Japan, will be rejoining the Singapore riding ranks for an 11-month term beginning on Feb 1 through to the end of the 2012 season.

The Epsom Derby-winning jockey (GENEROUS in 1991) rode with success during his short stay in Singapore from July 1 to Oct 31 this year, riding nine winners. He goes to scale at 53kg.

Jose Verenzuela, 43, will also be returning for a nine-and-a-half month term – March 14 through to Dec 31, 2012.

The Venezuelan jockey, who counts among his biggest victories the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on BIG CITY MAN (Northern Afleet - Mini Appeal by Valid Appeal) on Dubai World Cup night in 2009, currently sits in seventh position on the Singapore Jockey’s Premiership table with 40 wins and goes to scale at 53.5kg.