Berry family enter new Territory for 2025 The Ingham

After more than two-and-a-half years of waiting, the moment has arrived for Tommy Berry to finally ride Territory Express, the enigmatic gelding part-owned by his mother, Julie, when they contest Saturday’s $2 million The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick.

The top jockey has never before partnered the horse in a race, despite his mother’s ongoing efforts to have him booked.

“She has been trying to get me on him for a couple of preparations, so she is very excited,” Berry said.

Winner of the 2024 Provincial-Midway Championships Final, Territory Express has had barrier troubles in past preparations, but this campaign he has jumped cleanly in both outings.

Trained by long-time Berry family friend Paul Niceforo, Territory Express resumed with a strong third in the Ladies’ Day Cup (1500m) at Hawkesbury before running on from the back in The Gong after drawing wide.

Berry is hopeful barrier nine presents the chance for a smoother passage and potentially a memorable family moment.

“Dad hasn’t trained for a while now, so to win one for the family would be nice,” Berry said.

“Mum has been a vet nurse for fifteen years and she was an apprentice jockey before we came along. She has lived and breathed racing since she left school at seventeen.

“The horse is jumping well now, and we know how good he is when things go his way. Hopefully we can get the rub of the green.”

Berry rides in nine of the ten Randwick races, including Fire Star for Peter Snowden in the Razor Sharp Handicap and Vatican for Chris Waller in the Inglis Nursery. He also comes off a Group 3 win aboard Caballus in the George Moore Stakes.

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