Jack Berry House gets thumbs-up from riders

21 April 2015

Racing Post

JACK BERRY HOUSE opened its doors for the first time yesterday, with a number of past and present jockeys paying a visit to the new rehabilitation and fitness centre in Malton, North Yorkshire, writes Andrew Dietz.

The official unveiling of the Injured Jockeys Fund’s £3.1 million project by HRH the Princess Royal, patron of the IJF, will not take place until June 2, but the facility had its soft launch as it entertained visitors and began the registration process.

The centre’s manager Jo Russell said: “We have had plenty of people coming today and it’s been very exciting with some great feedback from the jockeys.

“Former top Flat jockey Edward Hide was one of the first through the door and was keen to take a look at our piece de resistance, the Reuben Foundation hydrotherapy pool, while the gym has also been very well received.”

The state-of-the art centre, the brainchild of IJF patron and former trainer Jack Berry, also boasts four treatment rooms and four en suite respite rooms.

Former champion apprentice Jason Hart dropped in before heading on to ride at Pontefract’s afternoon meeting.
“I was really impressed,” he said. “It’s class and it’s great that there is somewhere like that in the north.”

 

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Jack Berry, the founder of the IJF centre in the north, at the opening of the brand new facility yesterday