Fresh from a successful stint in Japan where he rode twelve winners, Fran Berry has returned to Europe to begin an exciting new role as stable jockey to Ralph Beckett. Berry, 35, has consistently been one of Ireland's leading jockeys and passed the 1000 winner mark last year.
Announcing the news on his website Beckett said, “I am delighted that we have come to an arrangement with Fran Berry to ride as first jockey at Kimpton Down. He and his family will relocate to this area early next month, and he will be riding out here on a daily basis. Jockey's agent Tony Hind,will be booking his rides.”
Beckett, who will train the largest number of Qatar Racing's 2-year-olds this year, added, “At times, I have found the last 18 months frustrating without a first choice rider. Fran, at 35 years old, is in his prime, and as a Group 1 winning rider with international experience, this is an ideal solution.”
Berry has forged strong links with a number of trainers over the years–in particular Jessica Harrington, for whom he rode his only Group 1 winner on Pathfork (Distorted Humor) in the National S. at The Curragh in 2010. Berry will move to England from his Kildare home with his wife Laura and son Jordan in early March and he commented, “I had never really considered a move to England before, nothing on this level had ever come up. Ralph has an expanding team and it is going to be an exciting challenge.”
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