Tom Sherry's up-and-down career made breakthrough Group 1 all the more satisfying
The Irish-born hoop and former champion Sydney apprentice has always had the talent to succeed on racing's biggest stage.
But he was forced to wait patiently for the chance to show what he was capable of at the top level.
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Last month that moment arrived in the most memorable of fashion when Sherry, now back riding in Sydney, snared a maiden Group 1 Tatt's Tiara triumph on Tashi.
'There was probably a while where I thought it wasn't going to happen so it was a bit surreal when it did,' Sherry said.
'Riding in Sydney is tough but when the Group 1s roll around, it's quite hard to get the quality in those races.
'That was probably my first chance on a horse that had a really big chance of winning a Group 1 race.'
Sherry's story has been told before but it's worth recounting just how far he's come.
The 26-year-old came to Australia in 2018 with no intention of riding after losing his licence in his home country.
It wasn't long before he found his way back to racing and the talented hoop was quick to build momentum.
He rode close to 100 winners in his first full season under the tutelage of former Randwick trainer Mark Newnham before adding his name to one of Sydney's most prestigious honour rolls, winning the 2020-21 metropolitan apprentices premiership.
'When I first started riding it all came really quick,' Sherry said.
'I think it was 95 winners my first season here which is pretty crazy and it snowballed year after year.
'Through my apprenticeship it all happened really fast and I didn't have time to reflect.
'Since becoming a professional. It opened my eyes a little more and probably maturity, I am 26 now. I am still a young man I suppose but I've learnt a lot.'
The transition from apprentice to senior rider is one of the toughest in racing and has proven to be the undoing countless champion apprentices.
It was a jump that took Sherry by surprise.
'Being champion apprentice, it's like being a big fish in a small pond at that stage and when you become a professional, I didn't realise how much of a jump it took,' Sherry said.
'It took a little while.
'Obviously with Mark Newnham going to Hong Kong, who was a big supporter of mine, was a hit as a came a professional because he was my main supporter.
'It took time to balance out but there's where Peter Snowden stepped in and hopefully winning the Group 1 can help get that bit more support and trainers for putting me on.'
"It's Tashi's tiara!" ðŸ''
Tashi brings the blessings today and wins the Tatt's Tiara for @SnowdenRacing1, and doesn't @tomo_sherry love it, a Group 1 win! 🙌 @BrisRacingClub pic.twitter.com/UJC5dOkQN2
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 28, 2025
That Group 1 came in the final major of the season last month.
At his 20th Group 1 ride, Sherry finally got his moment to savour when Tashi blitzed rivals to score an emphatic victory in the Tatt's Tiara at Eagle Farm.
'Obviously getting it the win for Peter Snowden was extra special and it's obviously been a goal of mine,' Sherry said.
'Peter has been great to me for a number of years now. He has been quite loyal and showed me good support from when I was an apprentice until now.
'It was extra special to get it for him.'
The win was only made better by the fact he's fiance Danika Losty was on track to celebrate.
They've been together for eight years and have shared in Sherry's rollercoaster racing journey together.
'She has seen all the ups and downs and highs and lows,' Sherry said.
'It was special to have her there and celebrate with her.
'My family in Ireland, I Facetimed them after the races and it was 7am and they were drinking champagne so they celebrated too.'
Sherry renewed his successful partnership with Snowden at the midweeks with promising three-year-old filly Infusion scoring stylishly on debut at Canterbury Park.
They hit the target again on Thursday at Gosford with exciting filly Nazwah producing a dominant debut success.
On Saturday, they can keep momentum flowing at Royal Randwick with in-form galloper Cassiel in the The Agency Real Estate Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m).
Cassiel, a $4.40 equal favourite, had earned a crack in Saturday company after scoring impressive at Canterbury and Hawkesbury to start this preparation.
Sherry was aboard last start when the son of Harry Angel carried 61kg to victory in an 1100m event.
'The horse is flying,' Sherry said.
'He is going really well and hopefully the track continues to dry up a little more because that's only going to benefit him.
'He can't be going any better, he is two from two this preparation and won well there at Hawkesbury last start.
'I think he is definitely up to Saturday grade.'
Wow, look at Nazwah go! 😮
An impressive win to the @SnowdenRacing1 - trained filly at @gosford_races with @tomo_sherry in the saddle! ðŸ'¨ @EmiratesPark pic.twitter.com/4eniVFjH8d
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 10, 2025
Sherry believes the Ron Quinton-trained Watch My Girl ($17) is capable of bouncing back to her best in the TAB Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m).
The daughter of Maurice has missed the placings at both starts this prep.
'She is a mare that has form in previous preparation and probably hasn't come up as well as she could do but she is in the right race for her,' Sherry said.
'She has the right gate from the right gate.
'If she can show her best, she is definitely in with a chance.'
Sherry's day kicks off on Royal Teens ($61) is in the TAB Highway Class 3 Plate (1600m) while connecting with Agita ($18) in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m).
He connects with a couple of outside chances for trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald with Shahzad ($18) in the Eremein Benchmark 88 Handicap (1800m) and Extraordinaire ($26) in the Precise Air Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m).
A hat-trick of victories will be on offer for Who Ever Thought ($26) in the Asahi Super Dry Benchmark 78 Handicap (1600m).
Sherry is still a chance to bring up the half century of winners this season for the fourth time in his career, needing seven winners over the remaining three weeks of the season.
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