Chad Schofield embodied the grace of two families in mourning following an emotional victory in a support race on Saturday’s Golden Slipper day program.
Two days after losing his brother-in-law and fellow jockey Nathan Berry to a rare epilepsy-related illness called NORSE syndrome, Schofield was thoughtful and composed both on the track and off it.
Flamberge - Photo by Steve Hart
The young jockey, along with his father Glyn and Nathan’s twin brother Tommy, made the difficult decision to put aside their personal pain and ride at Rosehill in honour of Nathan.
Schofield’s sister Whitney married Nathan Berry in February.
The young rider won the Sebring Stakes aboard Flamberge for trainer Peter Moody and dedicated the victory to Nathan.
“It means a lot. We were indecisive on whether the three of us should ride but we chose to because it’s what Nathan would have wanted,” Schofield said.
“To get a winner for him when you know Nathan is watching down on us is a good feeling.”
The entire racing industry has been touched by the death of Nathan.
Moody said the maturity shown by Chad Schofield reminded him of Nathan’s character.
“He’s an outstanding young man and very much in the mould of the young man we’ve just lost,” Moody said.
“To come through a week like this and perform like that shows you what he’s made of.”
Flamberge, who had some support from $12 into $10, was a clear first on jumping and retained the lead, kicking strongly when last year’s Sebring Stakes winner Hot Snitzel ($4.20) mounted a challenge.
