Image © Healy Racing
Josh Berry added the second double of his career to his growing tally at Rathcannon on Sunday, continuing what is his best season to date.
The 21-year-old Kilmore rider, who recorded his first two-timer at his local track Lingstown in November, struck again with victories aboard Double Annie and Ballyteige, both of which came on their first rides for the respective connections.
The opening leg came in the four-year-old mares’ maiden, where the Mark Scallan-trained Double Annie produced a dominant display. Tracking the pace throughout, Berry moved on approaching the second last and quickly put the race to bed, with the daughter of Ol’ Man River pulling clear on the run-in to score by an impressive 20 lengths.
It was a first ride for fellow Wexford handler Scallan, and one that came about at short notice.
“He rang my father a few days before as he had no one to ride her, so it just worked out,” Berry explained.
“He thought she’d run well. She ran two weeks ago and wasn’t herself, but he fancied her that day, so he was hopeful she’d run a better race here and she did it well.”
Berry completed his brace in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden aboard the Shane Roche-trained Ballyteige, in a race where testing conditions saw only two runners complete.
“The front two went a nice clip and I was able to get him settled. He travelled well for me and being by Westerner, he loved that ground and just kept galloping.
“I probably got there a bit soon and he got a bit lonely in front, but he kept going all the way to the line.”
That victory brought Berry to seven winners for the season between the flags, taking his overall tally to 18, in what has been a standout campaign after injury disrupted his previous two seasons.
“I broke my collarbone the last two years, so I missed the end of both seasons. This year I’ve had a clear run and I’ve just been trying to get as many rides as I can and it’s working out.”
Now focused on riding full-time having completed his Green Cert in Stud Management at Kildalton College, Berry is based at home with his father Johnny and rides out for a number of leading local handlers, including his uncle Darragh, Vincent Devereux, Denis Murphy and Tom Byrne, while also schooling for others when opportunities arise.
“I’m just trying to spread myself around and get as many rides as I can. There’s plenty of good trainers around me, so I’m lucky that way.”
There are currently around 11 horses in training at home, with a number of younger horses yet to run this spring, giving him further opportunities to build on his tally before the season concludes.
Berry has also made a bright start under Rules, recording two winners from just five rides, including his first success aboard Richieandsams Lady at Sligo last July.
He also enjoyed a landmark success over Easter when partnering Five Star Getaway to victory in the Joseph O’Reilly Memorial Hunter Chase at Fairyhouse, his second winner under Rules. In a race that changed dramatically from three out, joint-favourites Wrappedupinmay and Hunters Yarn both fell at that obstacle, before Stuzzikini came down at the second-last after jumping right and bumping Berry’s mount, leaving Five Star Getaway clear to come home 15 lengths in front.
“That was unbelievable. I couldn’t really believe what was happening when they were all falling in front of me.
“When the two fell, I thought I had a good chance, but I still had a look around after the last to make sure nothing was coming. It only really hit me after that — I was delighted.”
Trained by his father and carrying the colours of his uncle Darragh, the success made it a memorable family occasion. The 12-year-old has come out of the race in good order and may now be aimed at the hunter chase at the Punchestown Festival.
“I don’t really set any targets, I just let things happen and see how the season goes,” he added, but if current momentum continues, Berry may well reach double figures before the campaign draws to a close.
