Gravely ill jockey Nathan Berry has been brought back to Australia from Singapore to continue with his fight back to full health and is currently in a Sydney hospital.
Sadly Nathan Berry has passed away at the age 23. Our condolences go out to the entire Berry and Schofield families.
Nathan Berry. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Berry was struck down with viral encephalitis more than two weeks ago after collapsing at track work at Kranji race course in Singapore and was then further diagnosed to have developed NORSE Syndrome which causes seizures and brain swelling.
Nathan Berry’s twin brother Tommy and father-in-law Glyn Schofield were among many family members that have been at Nathan’s bedside in a Singapore hospital and it was thought that the two top Sydney jockeys could miss this Saturday’s glamour Golden Slipper Race Day at Rosehill.
Nathan Berry’s wife of two months Whitney, Glyn Schofield’s daughter, released a statement earlier in the week saying the family was intending to bring Nathan home and also thanking everybody for their support.
“Nathan continued to improve over the weekend, but it is with great sadness I have to say his condition since has had complications,’’ Whitney said in a prepared statement.
“Between myself, his team of doctors and members of both families, we have decided to bring Nathan home to Sydney as soon as we can. Nathan is my world and I don’t know anyone who can fight this illness like he is. Please now let us keep him in our thoughts and prayers.’’
With Nathan Berry safely back in Sydney, it will free the way for Tommy Berry and Schofield to fulfil their engagements at Rosehill on Saturday.
Tommy Berry has eight rides for Gai Waterhouse including Valentia, a $26 chance in the Golden Slipper, while Schofield is down to ride the first emergency Scratch Me Lucky, a $151 chance.
Of Berry’s other seven rides for Waterhouse, he will be on Amanpour in the Group 1 $400,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) but hasn’t got a ride in the Group 1 $1.5m The BMW (2400m).
While Schofield has been booked for seven rides including All Cerise for Chris Waller in the Vinery Stud Stakes and Mourayan for the Robert Hickmott stable in The BMW.
The Peter Snowden trained Earthquake is holding her place at the top of the Golden Slipper betting and is currently the $2.30 favourite with Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of the Team Hawkes trained Mossfun at $5.
Earthquake’s stablemate Dhibellines is next in the betting at $12 just ahead of last Saturday’s Magic Night Stakes winner Bring Me The Maid at $13.
Unencumbered, the two year old that Nathan Berry was due to ride, will now be ridden by Craig Williams and has been marked as a $16 chance.
