Jockey Nathan Berry has died in a Sydney hospital just hours after he was flown home to Sydney from Singapore.
The 23-year-old had been seriously ill in a Singapore hospital since he collapsed at Kranji racecourse on March 18.
His death was confirmed in a statement from Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys.
“The entire racing industry is extremely distraught with the news of Nathan’s passing,” Mr 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.”
Berry was placed in an induced coma last week after he was diagnosed with NORSE syndrome, an acute condition related to epilepsy.
His family, including his young wife Whitney who he married earlier this year, announced last weekend that Berry’s condition had deteriorated.
They made the decision to bring him home on a special medical flight on Thursday.
Berry was a top Sydney jockey whose biggest win came in the Magic Millions Classic aboard Unencumbered in January.
His twin brother Tommy is the No.1 stable rider for trainer Gai Waterhouse while his father-in-law Glyn Schofield is also a leading Sydney jockey.
Tommy and Glyn Schofield have been booked for rides at the Golden Slipper meeting at Rosehill on Saturday but it is unclear if they will compete.
