Damien Boche a star on the rise in Queensland

By Jordan Gerrans

Newcomer Damien Boche’s stunning rise through the Queensland riding ranks has continued with another winning double at Warwick on Tuesday afternoon.

The Frenchman only began riding in the Sunshine State earlier in the 2025-26 season and he has quickly tallied 20 winners at a healthy strike-rate of 20%.

He is also placing in 40% of his rides. 

In the last few months, he has been in red-hot form.

He rode a treble at Clifford Park in Toowoomba in late February, followed by a double at Warwick’s Allman Park two days later.

The French native grabbed another winning double on the Darling Downs under lights shortly after, which was followed by victories at Gatton, Dalby and Ipswich before he earned another two-timer at Warwick on Tuesday.

From his last 50 engagements, Boche has ridden 14 winners.

Boche, who competed at a high level throughout Europe before relocating to Australia, won aboard For Better for Annabel and Rob Archibald on Tuesday as well as scoring on Prince Of Synergy for Clifford Park conditioner Sharon Croxford.

The 26-year-old jockey was in the saddle of Prince Of Synergy in the gelding's prior start at Clifford Park late last month, where he placed third, and Boche was glad to be able to break his maiden status for Croxford.

“He jumped very good,” Boche said.

“I let him go, he was comfortable next to the leader and he travelled nicely. He was perfect and he had a big turn of foot.  He was really good and I'm very happy.

 “I rode in last time in Toowoomba.  He went good but this time the grass was better for him, so it was pretty good.”

Prince Of Synergy had been edging closer to a maiden triumph after placing on three occasions since joining Croxford at Toowoomba late last year after previously being prepared by the Kavanagh camp in Victoria.

The 58-year-old trainer was quick to applaud Boche’s recent efforts in the saddle.

“Damien and Harrison Shaw actually have been coming up to Toowoomba and riding a bit of work,” she said.

“So, it's been great to form an association with them and get some luck.

“We've been close for a while with Prince Of Synergy so it was good to finally got the bob of the head for a change. 

“I think a mile he could get out to, maybe on a small track, he seems effective, he's there abouts. 

“Any further, I think there's probably stretching him out too far but sort of the 1400 metres to mile, that’s his go."

The majority of Boche’s strong form has been on the country and provincial scene since he arrived in Queensland.

He stepped up a level on Wednesday when he took two engagements at Doomben during the midweek city meeting as he partnered Pearls In June for Brian J Smith and Airswing for Warwick conditioner Steven Hardy.

The French rider has been in Australia for almost two years, spending a period of time in Sydney with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott camp before heading north to link up with trainer Jack Bruce.

Boche estimates he rode around 200 winners in France before relocating, which included competing in several Group 1 events.

He also rode in Germany in a Listed event.

Boche has been singled out for praise from trainers Bruce and Bryan Dais in recent times.

“He is a phenomenal horse person and he has clearly been very well educated,” Bruce said.

Dais added: “He knows how to steer them.”

Boche heads to Ipswich and Toowoomba this Saturday for bookings as he aims to keep the positive results rolling along in his new venture.