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The Australian
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Tom Sherry's up-and-down career made breakthrough Group 1 all the more satisfying
Tom Sherry admits there were times when he thought his day would never come – but Sydney's newest Group 1 jockey is hungry to capitalise now it has. 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. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 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. Tom Sherry with his partner Danika Losty after he claimed his first Group 1 in the Tatt's Tiara in Brisbane last month. Pictures: Trackside Photography '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.' • 'Life couldn't be better': Van Overmeire's stellar season with bub on way 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.' 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.' • Racing Confidential: The leading contenders to replace McGauran 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 says Cassiel is flying ahead of his Royal Randwick mission on Saturday. Picture: Bradley Photos 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. • Randwick Turf Talk: Cohen's Knockout tip for Saturday 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.' 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.
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tom Sherry's up-and-down career made breakthrough Group 1 all the more satisfying
Tom Sherry admits there were times when he thought his day would never come – but Sydney's newest Group 1 jockey is hungry to capitalise now it has. 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. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 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 — 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 — 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.
Miami Herald
03-07-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
With ‘monk on Miracle Mile,' visitors seek peace in this hidden Buddhist center
Most people who show up to meditation class over what used to be a popular Thai restaurant in Coral Gables are just looking to relieve some stress. The spiritual part may come later, says Buddhist monk and resident teacher Gen Kelsang Tashi. Or it may not. Either way, it's all good here. After all, the mission of the Kadampa Meditation Center Miami — a modern Buddhist center housed above the shuttered Lotus Garden restaurant on Miracle Mile — is to help people develop inner peace and overcome unhappiness. 'At the very heart of everything that we're doing is that wish to improve ourselves and benefit others,' said Tashi. 'To be able to do that, we need to develop our inner peace, we need to develop our wisdom, and we need to develop a good heart of kindness and compassion.' The tiny second-floor center is easy to miss amid the hustle and bustle along Miracle Mile but the center has been there since 2020, opening just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally started in 2013 at a different location on Coral Way, it's part of a Buddhist sect called the New Kadampa Tradition founded by a Tibetan monk named Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, who passed away in 2022. There are over 1,000 centers around the world and six other Kadampa centers in Florida, including a larger temple in Sarasota that can house monks and is used for retreats. Tashi came to Buddhism more than 15 years ago, where he said he worked for a boutique consulting firm in communications field in New York City. He was struggling with managing stress himself. He had never tried mediation before, but after seeing a flier with an image of Buddha's face on it at his local grocery store in Brooklyn, Tashi decided to give it a shot. The payoff, he said, was immediate. Now, after years of study, he's an ordained monk. 'From that first meditation, I started to feel positive change in my state of mind,' Tashi told the Miami Herald during a recent vist to the center. 'Some of that stress that I was just constantly feeling all the time started to reduce a little bit, and I started to get a feeling of calm and peacefulness that I hadn't really had in a long time.' New Kadampa, Tashi said, aims to make the teachings of Buddha and the practice of meditation more accessible to the world, particularly the West. The center, which is entirely volunteer-run, has a dedicated membership of about 85, though more people drop in to take weekly classes or join workshops and retreats. The space itself is calming and approachable — even for people with no knowledge of Buddhism. According to Tashi that's more or less the point of the New Kadampa Tradition. Meaning of mindfulness Despite the fact that there aren't many Buddhists in Florida, the membership at the center has grown, slowly and steadily, over the past decade, said Michelle Grillone, the administrative director of Kadampa Meditation Center Miami. This growth reflects a larger trend in Florida and Miami, according to a religious landscape study from Pew Research, which found that the Buddhist population in Miami and Florida doubled in the decade between 2014 and 2004. Still, just 2 percent of people identified themselves as Buddhist. Some people come to cope with emotional tragedies like heartbreak or the death of a loved one, but the majority find the center in an attempt to manage stresses of daily life. 'Step one is getting control over your mind, not letting your mind control you. That's usually the hardest step for most people, because it's almost like rewiring your brain,' said Grillone, who has been volunteering at the center for over 10 years. She said Buddhist teachings are interwoven with the mediation classes — about 30 minutes per class — which can look like 'tips and tricks on how to deal with that pain, suffering, attachment .. all these hot topics.' People are left with a better understanding of their own minds, she said. 'You start applying it and you start seeing how it works.' Grillone's own interest in meditation was prompted by the unexpected death of her mother when she was 33 years old. Meditation helped her deal with grief and anger, and made her 'overall, a happier person,' she said. Eventually after six months, she found herself wanting to learn more about Buddhism and began taking weekly in-depth study classes in addition to her one-hour meditation classes. Grillone said this is an option for those who want a deeper understanding of Buddhist philosophies, but that people can engage as much or as little as they want. General meditation classes, for example, begin with the teacher and students singing the 'liberating prayer' as a way to honor Buddha. Some people in the class sing while others just stand and listen. 'In no way is Buddhism, or Dharma, meant to judge or criticize. It's whatever your path is ... whatever works for you, whatever you're looking for, you can choose that,' she said, adding that many people who show up come from other religions — Catholicism or Judaism, for example. A common misconception about Buddhism, according to Tashi, is that all traditions are the same. Though founded on the spiritual teachings of Buddha, like any other religion, the practices of Buddhism can vary throughout the world. Grillone's day job is working in finance management, something she describes as 'high-stress.' But, she credits her meditation practice for helping her find peace throughout the day. 'That's what I love about it, is that little to-go that you have inside of you, and whenever you need a just tap into it,' she said. The mediation center — which is considered a religious non-profit organization — is very low profile. You won't find its members on street corners preaching about the benefits of meditation. Members say it's not in the Buddhist tradition to try and convince people to show up or promote the religion in any way. But word has gotten around. One writer for Coral Gable Magazine did a piece two years ago where she talked about her experience meditating with the 'monk on Miracle Mile,' and how she felt calmer after her first class. While you can download a meditation app on your phone, said long-time member Todd Ellenberg, that doesn't provide the same experience as coming to a center where there's community, or what Buddhists call 'Sangha.' 'I think what's missing is Sangha,' he said. 'Sangha is a very important source of support in order to exchange thoughts on our practice, to support each other in our practice, there's strength when people come together with a shared intention.' Ellenberg, who grew up Jewish, showed up to meditation classes with zero expectations years ago. Ultimately, he latched on to the philosophy of Buddhism and became a meditation teacher. He said the classes helped him develop a sense of empathy which caused him not to be so reactive to anger in his life. 'It isn't like you are asked to embrace a dogma, a set of beliefs. It's like, try it out if these practices work and you get some benefit out of it, wonderful. That's great. If not, that's okay too. Just let it go.' Kadampa Meditation Center Miami offers meditation classes on Sundays at 11 a.m., at 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays in Spanish at 7:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. For the full schedule visit This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, including Khalid and Diana Mirza, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
7NEWS
29-06-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Tom Sherry rides Tashi to perfection to win epic Tiara at Eagle Farm
Tashi has broken a string of placings in group races with a dominant victory in Group 1 Tattersall's Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Prior to the victory, Tashi's last win came in a benchmark 88 at Randwick in March 2024 and in that time, the Peter Snowden trained mare raced exclusively at blacktype level, placing in seven. That included a narrow defeat to Floozie in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) on June 14, but Tashi was able to turn the tables and then some, running out an easy two-length winner under Tom Sherry. While $3.20 favourite Floozie went for home early in the straight, Tashi ($7.50) had been afforded a beautiful trail by Sherry and quickly pounced as Floozie faded to finish fifth, Abounding ($19) and Olentia ($31) getting home for the minor placings. Peter Snowden, who won the race in partnership with son Paul with Tycoon Tara in 2017, said the win was thoroughly deserved. 'She's been tremendous all prep, so nobody could begrudge her the win,' Snowden said. 'She kept putting her hand up every start, so I'm really proud of her. 'There were no half measures today, she won dominantly. She kept getting beaten short half heads, it was a tremendous run last week in the Dane Ripper, I think this is her 11th run this campaign so huge credit to her. 'Tom (Sherry) rode her an absolute peach today, I think it's his first Group Oneso I'm so pleased for him and the mare.' Sherry's previous best result in a Group One had been a third placing aboard Firm Agreement in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) last year, the twenty six-year-old's first win at the highest level coming at his 20th attempt. 'It's been a long time coming for me,' Sherry said. 'The stars aligned today, and I can't thank Peter and his team enough. It's been a long road and it's been a tough year, but moments like this make it all worthwhile. 'When I came up outside Abounding, I got the jitters and went full bore. 'I've worked really hard to get here. Winning a Group One for a lad from Ireland is a very big deal for me. 'I'm so proud of this mare and it feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Things like this don't happen to people like me, so I'm delighted.'
News.com.au
28-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Post-race jockey reports from the 2025 Tattersall's Tiara
Irish jockey Tom Sherry scored the biggest win of his career when sending Tashi to victory in the $700,000 Group 1 Tattersall's Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Tashi's win also provided her trainer Peter Snowden with his 50th Group 1 victory, 20 of those wins were in partnership with his son Paul. Tashi raced forward of midfield before launching her claim in the early part of the straight and the mare surged clear of the field to score a dominant win over Abounding with Olentia in third. "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 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 28, 2025 The favourite Floozie led into the straight but weakened in the run to the line, finishing fifth. A five-year-old mare by Sebring, Tashi's victory was her fifth from 26 starts, taking her earnings to more than $1 million. This is what the riders thought of their mount's performance in the Tattersall's Tiara. 1st - TASHI (Tom Sherry) The stars aligned today, and I can't thank Peter and his team enough. It's been a long road and it's been a tough year, but moments like this make it all worthwhile. When I came up outside Abounding, I got the jitters and went full bore. She's had an unbelievable prep. She's kept protruding, even though she hasn't won she's been super consistent. I'm so proud of this mare and it feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Things like this don't happen to people like me, so I'm delighted. 2nd - ABOUNDING (Rachel King) She's been very brave in defeat. She finally got her chance today from a nice draw, and she showed what she can do. The winner was too good for us today, but she was fabulous. 3rd - OLENTIA (Damien Thornton) She ran really well, we just had to deal with a bit of traffic. 4th - EXOTIQUE MISS (Rachel King) She's run a super race. She's been racing consistently all carnival, she stepped up to Group 1 grade and was outstanding again. 5th - FLOOZIE (Angela Jones) She probably just had to do a little more than we would've liked, and never got cover. She didn't settle as well as she usually does and it probably told late. 6th - INFANCY (Jason Collett) She's run great. The barrier just made it difficult, but I was really happy. 7th - FIRESTORM (James McDonald) She's run well, but it's been hard to make ground on this firm track. 8th - BUBBA'S BAY (Andrew Mallyon) She was really brave, we just got impeded with 150 to go and should have finished much closer. 9th - COCO JAMBOO (Chad Schofield) We got her out the gates but we had to take her back from that gate and she didn't finish off as well as she can 10th - EL MORZILLO (Tommy Berry) We had a lovely run on the back of the eventual winner. We just got dragged down pretty badly coming round the home turn, and I thought she was going to come down. She struggled to recover from that. 11th - SEMANA (Robbie Dolan) That was probably one of her best runs for a long time. I got all the luck from the wide barrier, the splits came and she quickened up well but the track was probably a touch form for her. If she keeps progressing, you should see her back to her best. 12th - COCO SUN (Billy Egan) Once she gets out to a mile and more, you should be in for a good prep. 13th - KONASANA (Regan Bayliss) The drying track just worked against us, she got a lovely run but she prefers softer tracks. 14th - ZASZOU (Ryan Maloney) She didn't want any part of the firm conditions and was unable to let down. 15th - ARCTIC GLAMOUR (Kerrin McEvoy) She had a wide run in transit which told on her in the end. 16th - COEUR VOLANTE (Jordan Childs) She didn't have any luck from the gate which affected her ability to finish off her race. 17th - GRINZINGER BELLE (Tim Clark) She was below her best today so hopefully there are no issues.
