Sydney-based jockey Tommy Berry has been disqualified and is set to be out of the saddle for more than a year after being found guilty for “accepting a consideration” from a local punter in exchange for advice, Racing.com reported on Tuesday. The 31-year-old rider received the verdict and his punishment in a hearing before the NSW stewards on Tuesday and already has filed his intentions to appeal and apply for a stay of the suspension.
Berry was handed a total disqualification of 11 months and two weeks for “accepting or agreeing to accept considerations” from Gold Coast butcher and active punter Zaid Miller. Barry is believed to have accepted $15,000 through a deposit from Miller to a family member's bank account after he won more than $100,000 based on information he received from the rider. In Australia it is illegal for jockeys to accept considerations from anyone other than a horse's owner without permission from stewards.
Berry also received an additional four-week suspension for having a mobile phone in the jockeys' room, which is forbidden during race meetings.
Berry's disqualification was set to begin immediately and run through Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, before the extra four-week suspension starts, making him ineligible to ride until Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.
Australian media reported the considerations related to bets placed by Miller on horses Waterford (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) at Warwick Farm on Mar. 23, and Character (Aus) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Promise Of Success (GB) (Dansili {GB}) at Newcastle on Mar. 28. Berry rode both Waterford and Character.
Overall Berry faced six charges and was found guilty on all counts.
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