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Jockey Tommy Berry suspended, fined for Big Dance ride 2024

Posted on by Pranco
Jockey Tommy Berry suspended, fined for Big Dance ride 2024

Horse Racing: Gringotts took out Randwick’s Big Dance in the third year of the race.

Stewards imposed a $10,000 fine and suspended the Star Hoop Tommy Berry for his winning ride on board Gringotts in Tuesday’s $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.

Berry produced a little magic to get the Ciaron Maher-trained galloper over a wide barrier in the early stages of Randwick’s feature film Melbourne Cup But an incident in the 1300 meters caught the attention of the stewards.

The fine comes just a few days after the international hoop Cieren Fallon was fined $100,000 and suspended for one month for his winning ride on board More forest in the Golden Eagle.


Antonio Orani was fined $30,000 in the same race – both for careless driving.

They gave Berry a careless riding charge for letting his horse move in front of him Ducasse in the rightful course of that horse.

Berry pleaded guilty to the charge.

“T. Berry (Gringotts) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR131(a) by causing his horse to shift at an acute angle along the lawful course of the Ducasse near the 1300 meters, which was checked,” the stewards said . ‘ report read.

“T. Berry’s license to compete has been suspended for a period commencing on Sunday, November 9, 2024 and expiring on Friday, November 22, 2024, on which day he will be permitted to compete.

“T. Berry was also fined $10,000. In assessing the penalties, the stewards took into account the high level of carelessness and the status of this race.”

The big dance

Tommy Berry produced a pearler aboard Gringotts in the Big Dance but was fined for his troubles. Photo: Sam Ruttyn



Jockey Christian Reit was also suspended for careless driving in the sixth race on the card while he was on board Melody again.

Reith’s suspension takes effect on November 12 and continues until November 16.