Chief Stipe Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 How Tommy Berry doubled as his twin in stewards' hearing Tommy Berry (left) hugs twin brother Nathan after Nathan’s victory aboard Unencumbered in the 2014 Magic Millions. Picture: Adam Head By Ben Dorries 02:03pm • 21 November 2023 We've all heard about twins who have confused their teachers by swapping school classes – but what about the jockeys who did the same to salvage a hot date? Sixteen years on, the incredible and comical story of how jockey Tommy Berry was the body double for his identical twin brother Nathan in a stewards' hearing can be revealed. Much-loved Nathan Berry tragically passed away in 2014 and the amazing tale of what happened in Perth one day is one of Tommy's cherished and fun memories of his brother. It was 2007 and the 16-year-old Berry apprentices were riding in Western Australia, heading there at a minute's notice after the equine influenza outbreak shut down racing in NSW. READ | Tommy Berry confident in Roots ahead of Railway Stakes Nathan (left) and Tommy Berry. As Berry prepares to head back to WA to ride Group 1 Railway Stakes fancy Roots on Saturday, he takes up the rollicking tale. "It was a Saturday and Nathan wanted to go on a date with a girl after the last race," Berry told Racenet. "But he came in after the last and said he needed me to go into the stewards' room for him. "He told me he had tightened up a few horses around the corner – but he was going on a date and he really didn't want to miss it. • Gold Coast track passes final test ahead of Magic Millions "So I went into the stewards' room, I had no idea what I was doing there. "The stewards asked me for evidence and I told them it was just a little bit of tightening. "They showed me the replay and he (Nathan) had caused interference to about three or four horses. "He ended up copping a couple of weeks (suspension). "I remember coming home and talking to him and saying ‘I really hope you like the girl because you have now got two weeks to spend with her'. "He said ‘yeah, the date wasn't too bad'." Racenet has Berry's permission to recount the tale, which he says he has also told at several sporting lunches. "I have told it at a few functions since, as it's a great story," Berry said. "Nathan obviously can't get in trouble for it now and surely I can't, it was 16 years ago." • Tony Brassel's black book: Horses to follow out of the trials The Berry twins celebrated when Tommy rode Overreach to win the 2013 Golden Slipper. Berry will jet to Perth on Friday seeking his first West Australian Group 1 – but it is a state he has happy memories in. He and Nathan spent some great times there and their 2007 riding stint was the first time they had been away from their parents. "Nathan and I did three months over there during EI in our apprenticeship, he was apprenticed to Kellie Grantham and I was apprenticed to Robyn Lockwood," Berry said. "WA was so far away that they didn't get EI – racing was going to be shut down in New South Wales and Dad organised us two plane tickets and we were on the plane. "It was a bit of a shock to us. "We just got dropped at two trainers' places and they said this is going to be your home for the next three months. "They were only four doors away from each other, so I used to sneak out every night and spend the night at Nathan's place. Nathan (left) and Tommy Berry in 2013. "We weren't used to being away from each other, we spent pretty much every night together when we were over there. "It was our first time away from home without our parents, and being so young, we leaned on each other quite heavily. "Nathan had a really good run over there he rode a heap of city winners for Jim Taylor. "I didn't have so much luck in the city, but I rode up around the country area a lot. "We made a lot of good friends over there and so it's always been a place I've wanted to get back to." Berry, who cherishes the memory of his late twin brother every day, remembers how he and Nathan enjoyed spending time with legendary WA trotting identities Gary Hall Snr and Gary Hall Jr. "We spent a fair bit of time out on their property with the trotters and we used to go to Gloucester Park (harness races) every Friday night," Berry recalls. "I really enjoyed that and just getting away to the beaches in WA. "I rode a lot at Albany and Geraldton, they are beautiful places to go and visit." Read all news by Ben Dorries 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 Great story. Love it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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