Episode 269: Tommy Berry

It’s great to catch up with Tommy Berry who’s currently in second place on both the NSW and metropolitan jockeys premierships. Tom talks about the fierce competition in the Sydney riding ranks. He outlines his very busy trackwork format. Tom talks about his apprenticeship to his father and chief tutor Kevin Berry.  The champion young jockey looks back on a frightening accident which could have turned him off horses forever. He looks back on his inauspicious debut at Hawkesbury, and an exciting maiden win at Newcastle on a mare trained by his father. Tommy reflects on his Magic Millions win on Karuta Queen and the unforgettable thrill of his first Gr 1. He looks back on a thrilling Gr 1 double at Randwick in 2012. The two races were only 45 minutes apart. The twenty nine year old pays tribute to the filly who gave him the first of his two Golden Slipper wins. He wasn’t even sure he’d retain the Slipper ride at one stage. He reminisces about his first Gr 1 for the Waller stable and the injury sustained by his mother Julie only 24 hours earlier. Tommy is heavy hearted as he talks about the loss of his twin brother Nathan who had taken ill during a riding stint in Singapore. He remembers the imported horse who lifted his spirits after the family tragedy. He looks back on his two rides on Winx- a win in the Phar Lap Stakes, and an unlucky fifth in the Vinery stud stakes.   Tom reflects on his amazing association with Chautauqua- 5 Gr 1 wins including the T.J Smith three times. Memories of the third one still give him tingles. He has mixed feelings about his involvement with Hong Kong racing. Some of his short term visits were very successful. His long term association with John Moore had its ups and downs. He did ride a couple of special horses in Hong Kong. Tommy acknowledges Pierata- the horse to regenerate his career following his return from Hong Kong. He was thrilled to get the job done for an old Warwick Farm mate in trainer Greg Hickman. The top jockey pays tribute to his wife Sharnee who was the first to  recognize her husband’s battle with depression in 2019. She made him do something about it. Tommy gives us a run down on life with four young children on his Dural farm.