The Australian racing industry has joined in mourning the death of jockey Nathan Berry.

The 23-year-old died in a Sydney hospital on Thursday afternoon, just hours after his family brought him home from Singapore where he had been seriously ill for more than two weeks.

He was last week diagnosed with NORSE syndrome, an acute form of epilepsy, and placed in an induced coma.

Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys said the racing industry was struggling to comprehend Berry’s death.

“Sadness is not a sufficient word to describe this tragedy. We are all very distressed and could not imagine the grief the family must be going through,” V’landys said in a statement made at the request of the Berry and Schofield families.

“This was a young man that had the world at his feet. He won the Magic Millions in January and rose to the top of the ranks so quickly that he was offered a contract to ride in Singapore.

“You would not meet a family more grounded and genuine than the Berry family. They are the most diligent and hard-working people I know.

“Our sincere condolences go out to the Berry and Schofield families and Nathan’s wife Whitney.”

His family, including Whitney and his twin brother and leading Sydney jockey Tommy, decided to bring him home from Singapore on a special medical flight which arrived on Thursday morning.

Nathan’s biggest win came in the Magic Millions aboard Unencumbered in January but his most significant milestone was a month later when he married long-time girlfriend Whitney Schofield, daughter of top jockey Glyn.

Late on Thursday, Glyn Schofield posted a wedding photograph on twitter of his daughter and son-in-law.

The man we love so much and will miss even more. Losing you cuts so deep buddy. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/HtqquWrM37

— Glyn Schofield (@SchofieldGlyn) April 3, 2014

@WhittySkota @NathanBerry91 @TommyBerry21 I love you all. Somehow we will get through this.

— Glyn Schofield (@SchofieldGlyn) April 1, 2014

Brother Tom Berry also mourned Nathan’s death via social media saying the passing had left “a hole in my heart”.

Nathan your passing has left a hole in my heart that can never be replaced. I will love you and miss you till the day I join you in heaven.

— Tommy Berry (@TommyBerry21) April 3, 2014

My proudest moment with my brotha XX love you so much mate pic.twitter.com/OahwTohCBW

— Tommy Berry (@TommyBerry21) March 25, 2014

Australian Racing Board chairman John Messara described Berry as a wonderful rider and person.

“Nathan Berry was a respected and talented rider who had earned his success through dedication and hard work,” Messara said.

“Nathan was a decent and principled young man respected by all.”

Berry was on a four-month riding contract in Singapore when he collapsed at Kranji racetrack on March 18.

His fellow jockeys were among those to use twitter to express their sadness.

Three-time Melbourne Cup winner Glen Boss said: “I feel very numb with the passing of Nathan. RIP. Tommy your family and the Schofield’s. I’m so sorry for your loss”.

Kerrin McEvoy, stable rider for Darley, described Nathan as a “ripping young guy….we will all miss you mate”.

Apprentice Shaun Guymer was a close friend of Nathan and said he planned to ride at Flemington on Saturday because it’s what Nathan would have wanted.

“He would kick you in the arse and tell you to get going and keep pushing forward so you’ve got to do it,” Guymer told AAP.

In an industry in which jockeys risk their lives every time they ride, the unexpected loss of Nathan to a rare syndrome has been difficult to comprehend.

The Australian Jockeys’ Association said Berry had been taken too young but would not be forgotten.

“Nathan was one of Australia’s most talented and promising young jockeys with the world at his feet,” the Association said in a statement.

“More importantly he was a decent and principled young man and a great ambassador for Australian Racing.”

Racing identities all paid tribute to the popular young jockey.

Devastated about the loss of Nathan Berry. Life isn’t fair. Rest peacefully young man. Love with family & friends. Your memory will live on

— Emma Freedman (@emma_freedman) April 3, 2014

-with AAP