Nathan Berry dies

The racing community is in mourning following the death of jockey Nathan Berry, aged 23.

He died on Thursday in Sydney after collapsing at trackwork in Singapore on March 18.

He suffered a series of seizures before he was placed in an induced coma last week. Doctors diagnosed Berry with Norse syndrome, an acute form of epilepsy.

Berry returned to Sydney from Singapore, where he was in the early stages of a four-month riding contract, aboard a special flight on Thursday morning and was immediately admitted to hospital.

He married his wife Whitney, daughter of fellow jockey Glyn Schofield, on February 2, a few weeks after the biggest win of his career on Unencumbered in the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast.

"The man we love so much and will miss even more. Losing you cuts so deep buddy. R.I.P.," Schofield tweeted.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys issued a statement on behalf of the racing industry.

“The entire racing industry is extremely distraught with the news of Nathan’s passing,” V'landys said.

“Sadness is not a sufficient word to describe this tragedy. We are all very distressed and could not imagine the grief the family must be going through.

“This was a young man that had the world at his feet. He won the Magic Millions in January and rose to the top of the ranks so quickly that he was offered a contract to ride in Singapore.

“You would not meet a family more grounded and genuine than the Berry family. They are the most diligent and hard-working people I know. Our sincere condolences go out to the Berry and Schofield families and Nathan’s wife Whitney.’’

Racing NSW has made available counselling services for all members of the industry over the next week.

Berry rode 351 winners in his career, the biggest being Unencumbered in the Magic Millions in January., and before he became ill was due to partner the colt in the Golden Slipper at Rosehill on Saturday.

He also tasted group 3 success last year with Malavio in the Tramway Stakes, Va Pensiero in the Run To The Rose and Unencumbered in the McLachlan Stakes.

Three-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Glen Boss took to Twitter soon after the news broke.

"I feel very numb with the passing of Nathan. RIP. Tommy your family and the Schofield's. I'm so sorry for your loss," the 44-year-old wrote.

Darley's jockey Kerrin McEvoy added: "Gone too young, a ripping guy #NathanBerry RIP we will all miss you mate.''

Trainers joined in the tributes. Bart and James Cummings tweeted: "We are saddened by the news of Nathan Berry's passing. Our thoughts are with the Berry and Schofield families."

While Hawkes Racing posted from its Twitter account: "Sadness fills our hearts with the passing of Nathan. A talented and wonderful young man in his prime. Our thoughts are with all his family. RIP.''

Australian Turf Club chief executive Darren Pearce said Berry would be recognised during Saturday's Golden Slipper meeting. The club would decide how it will be done in association with the Berry and Schofield families and the Australian Jockeys' Association.

Pearce also added a personal tribute. "Like all of the racing industry we are overwhelmed by sadness about Nathan’s illness and his now untimely passing,” he said.

“We are so grateful for the short but wonderful career that Nathan had, which we and all of the racing public were privileged to see at our tracks.

"At this time, our thoughts are with his entire family and the many in the industry so close to Nathan who will struggle to deal with today’s distressing news.”

Australian Racing Board chairman John Messara also offered a tribute.

"A great sense of loss has overtaken Australian racing with the passing of Nathan Berry," Messara's statement read.

"It is an unspeakable sadness for his wife Whitney, twin brother Tommy, loving parents and family. We know there are no words which can erase their pain, other than hope that they can draw comfort from knowing that so many others share in their grief.

"Nathan Berry was a respected and talented rider who had earned his success through dedication and hard work; he was an outstanding talent."




Read more: Nathan Berry dies: acute form of epilepsy claims top jockey

Looking back


If anyone has an old photo that they would like to run with this column bring it and the information into The Sentinel-News office or e-mail it to the writer at [email]sharonw@sentinelnews-com[/email]. We are also looking for mystery photos. If you have a picture you can't identify, send it in and we'll ask our readers for help. Check for photos on the “Looking back from the past” slide show on SentinelNews-com

10 years ago, 2005

Fiscal court took first reading on an ordinance that would prohibit the wearing of masks, hoods and face coverings in public at a special meeting…. Mary Jane Tipton, who mowed the grass at Clear Creek Park – all 150 acres of it – retired at the age of 77…. Three Shelby County High School students were selected to participate in the Governor’s School for the Arts. They were Rebecca Hinkle, junior, for creative writing; Karen Preston, senior, for visual arts; and Tony Richardson, senor, for vocal music…. Jerrett D. Berry graduated cum laude from Sullivan University…. Jesse I. Moffett graduated from Kentucky State University with an associate’s degree in nursing…. Hundreds of volunteers came out to raise money for the American Cancer Society during the weekend’s annual Relay for Life at Shelby County High School, bring in approximately $77,000…. Shelbyville native Sam Edelen was named account manager for Preston-Osborne Public Relations in Lexington…. County Judge-Executive Rob Rothenburger proclaimed June 10 of 2005 Relay for Life day in the county at fiscal court's June meeting. Members of the Relay committee were Suzanne Holder, co-chair; Susan Travis, logistics and activities and anything you need chair; Jennifer Gilbert, activities and anything you need chair; Sharon Warner, publicity chair; and Susan Curry, survivor chair…. Births: Nickolas Edward Lee Howard, James Dylan Johnson, Acelyn Malcolm Block, Hannah Grace Cravens, Aiden Francisco Alba, Taylor Nicole Price, McKenzie Rose Kane…. I’m one: Elijah Joel League…. Deaths: Janet Abshire-Gambrell, 47; Richard “Ricky” Allen, 59; Arthur Bentley Jr., 78; George Denis French, 73; Martha Jean “Mickey” Hobbs, 63; Margaret Ellen Stivers, 53; Dr. Maurice F. Rabb Jr., 72; Franklin Delano Vogel, 68; William Alex “Billy” Stevens, 49.

15 years ago, 2000

Pam Federspiel (standing) showed Michelle Thieneman the digital microfilm reader and printer that Friends of the Library helped buy. Thieneman was a member of the Friends, which donated $5,000 toward the machine’s purchase…. The Kentucky State Data Center in Louisville released preliminary numbers that said Shelby County's population had exceeded the 30,000 mark. The number – an estimated 30,552 in 1999 – was a 23.1 percent increase in population since the 1990 census that set the county's residents at 24,824.... Mary Andriot took first place in the fourth- through sixth-grade division of the Kentucky Junior Duck Stamp Program.... Troop 164 members receiving the Eagle Scout award were Justin Gallrein, Austin Green, Joshua Searcy, Michael Padgett and Matthew Phoebus.... Wayne Reese, principal at Simpsonville Elementary School, was one of two principals in the region to receive the Patronus Award, the highest honor given by the Louisville Writing Project.... Nathan Franklin was hired as an agent in the Shelby County Farm Bureau Insurance Agency…. The Shelby County Retired Teachers Association held a dinner for newly retired teachers – Bernard Bunch, Sara Jane Scott, Jean McGrew, Susie Phillips, Mary Jane Mason, Boyd Phillips and Lucy Long…. Births: Shelby Lynn Shepherd, Dominic Mellas Fields, Jacqueline Lesley Solis-Lopez, Bobby E. Shaver III, Brennan Thomas Whisman, Jacob Tyler Griffin, Chelsey Paige Clark, Tyler Lee Tinnell, Isaura Alexandria Jeronimo, Paige Nicole Peterson.... Deaths: Thomas E. Moffett,78; William Kenneth Hawkins, 59; Lawrence Lea, 64; Ann Jamison, 81; Diane Needham, 53; Bratty Marie Powell Wilson, 83; Troy Cook, 88; Virginia "Granny" Shaw, 74; Ann Gordon Wilborn, 83; Ida Florence Sanford Reynolds, 77; William Kenneth Hawkins, 59; Ann Jamison, 81; Christine Stump, 72.

25 years ago, 1990

John Gregory Block, Celena Kincaidand Leticia Tucker, Shelby County High School graduates, were awarded academic achievement scholarships to attend the University of Kentucky.... Doug Bell considered himself lucky that his Shelby Lanes weren't hit during the last series of thefts along KY 55. But over the weekend he wasn't so lucky. Someone drilled through the front door of the bowling alley and made off with about $300 worth of change.... Mark Roberts of Pack 133, Centenary United Methodist Church, won the Old Kentucky Home Council Pinewood Derby for Cub Scouts at the Churchill Downs' Scout-O-Rama.... Because of their outstanding driving records and extra work with children, Hazel Hutchins and Bill Jennings were voted 1989-90 bus drivers of the year by their fellow bus drivers.... 16 people took part in the Humane Society Walk-a-thon as part of Animal Appreciation Week. The 6.45 mile trek started at Clear Creek Park and went up and down Burks Branch Road.... Michael Thomas Block was nominated by the Shelby County Democratic Woman's Club to receive one of two $1,000 scholarships which were given annually by the Democratic Woman's Club of Kentucky.... Helen McGreevy – a nationally-known horseback riding instructor who's taught in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and, most recently, Louisville – will be offering lessons this summer in a joint venture with the Shelbyville/Shelby County Parks Department.... Births: Joshua James Wadlington, Sarah Allison Morris, Raechele Janiece Gray.... Deaths: A 20-year-old Shelbyville man died instantly after his motorcycle hit the engine of a freight train. Paul

Berry died in a retirement home in his birthplace.

R.I.P. Nathan Berry. 😔

Nathan Berry dies: acute form of epilepsy claims top jockey