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By Mark Brassel

Saturday’s Day 1 of The Star Championships at Royal Randwick marks the 11th running of the prestigious Nathan Berry Medal that was introduced by Racing NSW in 2014.

Australia’s best jockeys – along with riders from New Zealand and Hong Kong – will be competing over the two days of The Star Championships for the prized Medal.

James McDonald (left) with Joao Moreira and the 2023 Nathan Berry Medal

The Nathan Berry Medal, presented by his twin brother Tommy to the most successful jockey over the 12 races of The Star Championships, pays tribute to the former top jockey who passed away in early April 2014.

Nathan was 23 and had great success kicking home 351 winners with his biggest victory being on Unencumbered in the Magic Millions in January 2014.

The Nathan Berry Medal point score is determined on a 3-2-1 basis across the 10 Group races along with the Finals of the Country and Provincial-Midway Championships, with the winner announced at the completion of the final race of The Star Championships (Saturday 13 April).

The Nathan Berry Medal is unique as it features Nathan’s initials ‘NJB’ in the same font Nathan carried on his racing jodhpurs and is adorned by a light blue & dark blue ribbon – mirroring the colours he carried on Unencumbered.

Last year's Medal was a dead-heat between James McDonald and Joao Moreira who both accumulated 10 points and on a countback, as both had ridden a similar number of winners, a tie was declared.

The pair finished four points clear of Tim Clark and Dylan Gibbons, with three riders next on five points - Zac Purton, Damian Lane and the 2022 Medal winner Nash Rawiller.

Latest TAB Market
$1.30 James McDONALD
$6 Jamei KAH
$15 Blake SHINN, Craig WILLIAMS, Jason COLLETT
$26 Damian LANE, Nash RAWILLER
$51 Tommy BERRY, Tyler SCHILLER
$101+ Others quoted.

Honour Roll
2023 - JAMES McDONALD/JOAO MOREIRA
2022 - NASH RAWILLER
2021 - JAMES McDonald
2020 - GLEN BOSS
2019 - HUGH BOWMAN
2018 - BLAKE SHINN
2017 - HUGH BOWMAN
2016 - HUGH BOWMAN
2015 - HUGH BOWMAN
2014 - TOMMY BERRY/JAMES McDonald (tie)