Nathan Berry Hospitalized in Singapore

Australian jockey Nathan Berry, who has been riding on a contract in Singapore, will spend a minimum of two weeks in a hospital after being diagnosed with a case of viral encephalitis. 

Berry, the twin brother of top jockey Tommy Berry, collapsed suddenly during trackwork Tuesday morning and was reported to have suffered a seizure before being transported to Gleneagles Hospital, where tests and scans pointed to the diagnosis, an inflammation of the brain caused by a virus. 

The 23-year-old rode a pair of winners this past Sunday at Kranji and was booked to ride G1 Golden Slipper hopeful Unencumbered (Aus) (Testa Rossa {Aus}) in the G2 Todman S. this coming Saturday at Rosehill. Tommy Berry has been named by trainer Bjorn Baker to take over in the irons aboard the Magic Millions 2YO Classic hero. Nathan Berry was also booked to ride White Sage (Aus) (Reset {Aus}) for trainer John O’Shea in the G1 Coolmore Classic. That mount will go to James McDonald. 

Singapore trainer Michael Freedman has been keeping close watch alongside Berry’s newlywed wife Whitney. 

“We’ve had many phone calls from people concerned about Nathan,” said Freedman, who has been instrumental in bringing Berry to Singapore. “We ourselves didn’t know what really happened to him until late in the afternoon yesterday. I was told he was not himself [Tuesday] morning at trackwork. At the holding area, he apparently fell asleep. The doctors don’t really know how he got this illness, but it could have been as far back as six weeks ago.” 

Berry will also be forced to miss the Golden Slipper S. in Sydney Apr. 5. 

Tommy Berry expressed his appreciation on Twitter, saying, “Thank you to every1 for their concern…he is in great hands with the best medical staff.”