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A host of Australia’s best jockeys as well as overseas riders will be at Royal Randwick this Saturday competing for the prestigious Nathan Berry Medal on Day 1 of The Championships.

The Medal is named in honour of the former top jockey who passed away in April 2014 and is awarded to the most successful jockey over the 12 races of The Championships.

The point score is determined on a 3-2-1 basis across the eagerly anticipated 10 Group races as well as the Finals of the Country and Provincial Championships, with the winner announced at the completion of Day 2 of The Championships (Saturday 8 April).

Left: Hugh Bowman proudly shows off his 2016 Nathan Berry Medal

“Nathan is affectionately remembered by all in racing and the Medal named after him is a fitting tribute to an extremely popular young jockey taken in the prime of his life,” said Racing NSW Chief Executive, Peter V’landys AM. “This is a very prestigious award that recognises riding excellence during The Championships.”

Nathan Berry, 23, died on 3 April 2014 having ridden 351 winners with his biggest victory being aboard Unencumbered in the Magic Millions only a couple of months earlier. Nathan had also won Group Three races on Malavio (Tramway Stakes), Va Pensiero (Run to the Rose) and Unencumbered (McLachlan Stakes).

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

Hugh Bowman will be chasing his third win in the award, having stormed home to claim the Medal last year following a treble in successive races on Day 2 of The Championships (Missrock-IG Markets Percy Sykes Stakes, Japonisme-Arrowfield 3yo Sprint and Sofia Rose-James Boag’s Premium Australian Oaks).

TAB has today installed defending Nathan Berry Medal winner Hugh Bowman as this year’s favourite elect ahead of Kerrin McEvoy, Tommy Berry and UK jockey James Doyle.

2017 Nathan Berry Medal – TAB Fixed Odds $1.80 - Hugh Bowman $4.60 - Kerrin McEvoy $6 - Tommy Berry $8 - James Doyle $11 - Any other jockey $15 - Craig Williams $26 - Blake Shinn $51 - Corey Brown