Berry To Miss Todman Stakes Due To Illness

Rising jockey Nathan Berry remains in a Singapore hospital and will be unable to partner Unencumbered in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday after being diagnosed with viral encephalitis.

Nathan Berry is currently being treated in a Singapore hospital for viral encephalitis.

Nathan Berry is currently being treated in a Singapore hospital for viral encephalitis. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Berry was taking part in routine trackwork at the Kranji track in Singapore yesterday morning when he collapsed while taking a break between rides and was immediately rushed to hospital.

A number of tests were conducted on the popular hoop and he remained hopeful that he could return to Australia to ride at the Coolmore Classic meeting on Saturday, but he was diagnosed with viral encephalitis and according to manager Ryan Roberts will remain in hospital until at least Friday.

“Nathan seems to have viral encephalitis,” Roberts said.

“He has been placed on medication and will remain in hospital for the next 48 hours.”

Berry was reported to have suffered a seizure overnight and brother Tommy Berry confirmed that this was the case, but added that this was not out of the ordinary for somebody suffering from viral encephalitis.

“Nathan is doing ok. He is getting treatment now,” Tommy Berry posted on Twitter yesterday.

“Unfortunately Nathan has had another Seizure but it is very common for that to happen with the virus he has got.

“Thank you to everyone for their concern, he is in great hands with the best medical staff.”

Tommy Berry will now take the ride on Unencumbered in the Todman Stakes and will be hoping that he can maintain the excellent record that his brother has on board the son of Testa Rossa.

Nathan Berry steered Unencumbered to victory on debut in the Sharp Plate (1000m) at Royal Randwick on October 12 last year, but missed the ride on the talented colt when he finished third behind Bold Circle in the Men Of League Plate (1100m).

Berry reunited with Unencumbered for the Ascend Sale Trophies Plate (1000m) on the Randwick Kensington track and partnered the juvenile when he stamped himself as a leading Magic Millions contender with two strong victories in the Wyong Magic Millions Classic (1100m) and the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm.

Unencumbered went into the 2013 Magic Millions Classic as a clear favourite and Berry gave the Golden Slipper contender a gem of a ride to claim the biggest win of his riding career.

The two-year-old failed to fire on a wet track in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 1, but trainer Bjorn Baker is confident that he can return to his best form in the Todman Stakes this weekend.

Berry was also set to partner White Sage in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m), but the talented mare is now expected to be ridden by James McDonald.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.