How top jockey Tommy Berry is keeping his brother’s memory alive 10 years after tragic passing
It’s been 10 years since his brother’s tragic passing, but Tommy Berry shows why Nathan is still very much a part of his life.
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Tommy Berry, the champion Sydney jockey chasing a record-equalling fourth Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, holds the memory of his late twin brother, Nathan, close to his heart.
It’s been 10 years since his brother’s tragic passing, but Berry posed for this remarkable photo to show Nathan is still very much a part of his life.
“This is always a tough time of year for us as a family,’’ Berry said.
“When the Golden Slipper and Magic Millions come around every year, people remember Nathan.
“The Magic Millions win on Unencumbered earlier that year was the biggest day of Nathan’s career and during Golden Slipper time, everyone thinks of the sad times of him going.
“But I love speaking with anyone about Nathan – it keeps his memory alive.’’
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Nathan Berry was afflicted by Norse Syndrome, an acute form of epilepsy, when riding in Singapore.
He passed away on April 3, 2014, just two days before the Golden Slipper.
Despite his grief, Tommy Berry decided to ride in the Golden Slipper that year, finishing unplaced on Valentia – crossing the line alongside Unencumbered, ridden by Craig Williams.
“I can’t remember riding in the Golden Slipper that year,’’ Berry said.
“Actually, I can’t remember anything of that day which is one of the biggest we have in Australian racing.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have ridden but I just felt like it was something I needed to do at the time.’’
Berry and his wife Sharnee have four children, Kaiden, Charlise, Levi and Nate, who are all under 10 years of age, but they ensure Nathan remains an important and loved member of their family.
They talk regularly to their children about Nathan and his legacy, and share their cherished memories.
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“Nathan’s a big part of my family’s lives, always will be, and our kids were talking about him the other night,’’ Berry said.
“We got them telescopes for Christmas last year so they can look at the stars and try to find him.
“It’s so nice for our kids to hold him in their hearts, as well.’’
Berry also revealed his wife was due to give birth to their son, Levi, by caesarean section six years ago on the anniversary of Nathan’s passing but the couple decided to delay the birth by 24 hours.
“It’s always tough on the day Nathan passed away so we decided to have Levi the day after so we can celebrate another beautiful life,’’ he said.
The Berry family will be cheering for their husband and father at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday when he rides Espionage in the $5m TAB Golden Slipper (1200m).
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Espionage is an emergency and Berry is sweating on a scratching to get his colt into the field.
If Espionage gains a start and wins the Golden Slipper, it will be the jockey’s record-equalling fourth win in the world’s richest juvenile race after his success on Overreach (2013), Vancouver (2015) and Stay Inside (2021).
The only jockeys to ride four Golden Slipper winners are Hall of Famers Ron Quinton and Shane Dye.
Berry had the regular rider of talented Manaal but decided to jump off the filly and take the ride on the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Espionage only to find that colt is still not certain of a start.
“It seemed to be the right way to go at the time,’’ Berry said.
“I might have made the wrong call but we will see how it works out.
“Everyone at the stable has a very high opinion of Espionage and at one stage he was the only one that could beat Storm Boy.
“I just feel the colts have the edge over the fillies this season and the (race) times suggest they do.
“The colts have been very strong all season and Espionage is a colt I’ve always liked.’’
Espionage has got out to $21 in latest TAB betting while stablemate Storm Boy is the $2.30 favourite.
Berry is convinced Espionage will be in the mix for the Golden Slipper citing the colt’s impressive win on debut in the Breeders’ Plate earlier in the season.
“Espionage was massive in the Breeders’ Plate then he ran very well first-up behind Straight Charge in the Silver Slipper,’’ Berry said.
“Then last start in the Todman Stakes, not a lot went right for him so he’s become a bit of a forgotten horse going into the Golden Slipper.’’
Berry will take time to reflect on his late brother on Golden Slipper morning before he travels to Rosehill Gardens for one of the biggest days in Australian racing.
He has some outstanding big race rides and is hoping success on Slipper day will stand him in good stead when the Sydney autumn carnival switches to Royal Randwick for The Championships on April 6-13.
The Nathan Berry Medal was introduced in 2014 for the leading jockey during The Championships and it was fitting that Tommy Berry won the inaugural award 10 years ago.
“It was so nice to win the medal that first year,’’ Berry said.
“But to see the jockeys who have won it since and how much it has meant to them has been quite special as well.
“I’m building up a nice little book of rides for The Championships and I hope to get it done there.’’
Tommy Berry on his big-race Rosehill rides:
Remarque (The Galaxy):
“I thought Remarque was good at Randwick.
“He’s better suited when he gets to the outside of horses but he was jammed up on the inside that day.
“He didn’t fully stretch out as I would have liked but still ran well. He has a great attitude. puts himself on speed but is not a keen going horse either.
“But he’s really good fresh, he’s only second-up into The Galaxy, and he’s got a good record on his home track, Rosehill.’’
Place Du Carrousel (Ranvet Stakes):
“Place Du Carrousel has incredible form overseas.
“I galloped her in quarantine at Canterbury last Saturday and was very impressed with her.
“Then I worked her again at Randwick during the week and she went through her paces very well.
“She has such a good coat on her for a horse that has come from the northern hemisphere. She is a lovely style of horse and has a great attitude.’’
Golden Mile (George Ryder Stakes):
“I watched Golden Mile’s trial closely the other day and he trialled like a horse who has turned the corner.
“He was strong on the bridle and it looks like he has his groove back.’’
Originally published as How top jockey Tommy Berry is keeping his brother’s memory alive 10 years after tragic passing
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