{{Short description|British National Hunt Jockey}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox horseracing personality |name = Bryony Frost |image = Bryony Frost at Sandown 2018 (cropped-J1).jpg |caption = Frost at [[Sandown Park Racecourse|Sandown Park]] 2018 |occupation = [[Jockey]] |birth_place = [[Buckfastleigh]], Devon |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|4|13}} |death_place = |death_date = |height = |career wins = |race = '''Major race wins:'''<br />[[King George VI Chase]] 2020<br /> [[Ryanair Chase]] 2019 |awards = |honours = |horses = Frodon, Secret Investor, Pacha Du Polder |weight = }} '''Bryony Frost''' (born 13 April 1995)<ref>{{cite news |title=Bryony Frost among those celebrating on Friday |url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/bryony-frost-among-those-celebrating-on-friday/327143 |accessdate=18 March 2019 |work=[[Racing Post]] |date=12 April 2017}}</ref> is an English [[National Hunt racing|National Hunt]] [[jockey]] from [[Buckfastleigh]], [[Devon]]. In 2019 she became the first female jockey to win a [[National Hunt racing#Grades and classes|Grade 1]] race at the [[Cheltenham Festival]].
== Background == Frost comes from a racing family. Her father, Jimmy Frost, is a trainer and former jockey who rode the winner of the [[1989 Grand National]], [[Little Polveir]].<ref name=Sporting/> Her grandfather, Richard Frost, was also a trainer. Her brother, Hadden Frost, is a former jockey who won numerous races including the [[Pertemps Final]] at the Cheltenham Festival on Buena Vista in 2010.<ref name=Guardian1>{{cite news |last1=Cook |first1=Chris |title=Bryony Frost makes history with Frodon in Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/mar/14/bryony-frost-first-woman-ride-grade-one-winner-jumps-cheltenham-festival-horse-racing |accessdate=18 March 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=14 March 2019}}</ref> Frost learnt to ride on a donkey, before winning multiple Devon and Cornwall pony racing championships.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/bryony-frost-2-740033 |title=11 things you need to know about National Hunt jockey Bryony Frost |work=[[Horse & Hound]] |date=13 March 2021}}</ref>
== Career as a jockey ==
===Early career=== After competing in [[Point-to-point (steeplechase)|point-to-points]], Frost had her first ride under rules, as an amateur, in February 2013.<ref name=Sporting/> Two years later she had her first win under rules, riding Current Event, trained by Rose Loxton, at [[Musselburgh Racecourse|Musselburgh]].<ref name=Sporting/> In 2016 she started to ride for trainer [[Paul Nicholls (horse racing)|Paul Nicholls]].<ref name=Sporting>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/profile-of-jump-jockey-bryony-frost/196797 |title=Profile of jump jockey Bryony Frost |work=[[Sporting Life (British newspaper)|Sporting Life]] |author= John Ingles|date=9 December 2021 |archive-date= 9 December 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211209225811/https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/profile-of-jump-jockey-bryony-frost/196797 }}</ref> Still riding as an amateur jockey, Frost won the [[St James's Place Foxhunter Chase|Foxhunter Chase]] at the 2017 [[Cheltenham Festival]], riding Pacha Du Polder, trained by Nicholls.<ref name=Sporting/> She turned professional in July 2017 and later that month secured her first win as a [[conditional jockey]] on the Nicholls-trained Black Corton at [[Worcester Racecourse|Worcester]].<ref name=Sporting/>
===2017/18 season=== In November 2017, Frost rode the Nicholls-trained Present Man to win the [[Badger Beer Handicap Chase]] at [[Wincanton]].<ref name=Badger>{{Cite web|title=Talking Horses: Bryony Frost aiming at Badger Beers treble on Saturday|url= http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/nov/05/bryony-frost-craves-itv-horse-racing-spotlight-with-big-race-hat-trick|date=5 November 2020|work=The Guardian}}</ref> She secured her first Grade 1 win on [[Boxing Day]] 2017, when Black Corton won the [[Kauto Star Novices' Chase|Kauto Star Novices’ Chase]] at [[Kempton Park Racecourse|Kempton]] on [[Boxing Day]], becoming only the second British female jockey to win a Grade 1 race over obstacles.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bryony Frost takes giant leap in jumps world and calls it ‘bonkers’|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/30/bryony-frost-jumps-jockey-grade-one-victory-horse-racing-tips|date=30 December 2017|work=The Guardian}}</ref> The following month she rode the Nicholls-trained Frodon to victory in the Grade 3 [[Spectra Cyber Security Solutions Trophy Handicap Chase|Crest Nicholson Handicap Chase]] at [[Cheltenham Racecourse|Cheltenham]] in January 2018. It was her second ride on Frodon and would prove the first of eleven victories for the popular partnership.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/britain/me-and-him-out-there-honestly-its-the-best-buzz-bryony-frosts-best-quotes-through-frodons-career-a2X6E3C91Oez/|title='I'm the mad woman. He knows what he's doing. I just sit there and steer' - Bryony Frost's best Frodon quotes|date=29 December 2023|work=Racing Post}}</ref> Frost had her first [[2018 Grand National|Grand National]] ride in April 2018, coming fifth on the 25/1 chance Milansbar, trained by Neil King.<ref>{{cite news|date=14 April 2018|title=Full Result 5.15 Aintree|work=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/32/aintree/2018-04-14/692569}}</ref>
===2018/19 season=== Frost and Present Man achieved a second victory in the Badger Beer Handicap Chase in November 2018.<ref name=Badger/> Later that month she rode out her claim, becoming only the fifth British based female jockey to achieve 75 wins over jumps.<ref>{{cite web|date=13 November 2018|title=Bryony Frost rides out claim at Kempton after 75th winner on Marienstar|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/bryony-frost-rides-out-claim-at-kempton-after-75th-winner-on-marienstar/353484|work=Racing Post}}</ref> Frodon brought her victories in the Grade 2 [[Old Roan Chase]] at [[Aintree Racecourse|Aintree]], the Grade 3 [[December Gold Cup|Caspian Caviar Gold Cup]] and the Grade 2 [[Cotswold Chase]], both at Cheltenham.<ref name=Frodon>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/884974/frodon/form|title=Frodon|access-date=6 May 2024|work=Racing Post}}</ref> In March 2019 she became the first woman to win a Grade 1 race at the Cheltenham Festival when Frodon carried her to victory in the [[Ryanair Chase]].<ref name=Guardian1/> She finished the season on 49 winners and in April 2019 was awarded the British conditional jockeys title.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bryony Frost secures Stobart Conditional Jockey title after triumphant year|url=https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/sandown/media/news/2019/04/bryony-frost-secures-stobart-conditional-jockey-title-after-triumphant-year/ |work=[[Jockey Club|The Jockey Club]]|date=25 April 2019}}</ref>
===2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons=== There was a further victory for Frost and Frodon when they won the Grade 2 [[Silviniaco Conti Chase]] in January 2020 at [[Kempton Park Racecourse|Kempton]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/fantastic-frodon-bounces-back-to-form-in-silviniaco-conti-chase/417504 |title=Fantastic Frodon bounces back to form in Silviniaco Conti Chase |work=Racing Post |date=12 January 2020 }}</ref> Frodon was beaten into fourth place when attempting to secure back-to-back wins in the Ryanair Chase at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/min-dispels-course-doubts-with-brave-ryanair-chase-victory-over-saint-calvados/426313 |title=Cheltenham ghosts vanquished as Min gains deserved Ryanair Chase success |work=Racing Post |date=12 March 2020 }}</ref>
In December 2020, Frost rode Frodon to victory in the [[King George VI Chase]] at Kempton, becoming the first female jockey to win the race.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bryony Frost and Frodon create history in King George VI Chase at Kempton Park|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/55452468 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=26 December 2020}}</ref> It was her 175th career win, making her the all-time leading female National Hunt jump jockey in Britain.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jan/09/bryony-frost-some-people-will-always-frown-opinions-are-not-facts-horse-racing |title=Bryony Frost: 'Some people will always frown. Opinions are not facts' |work=The Guardian |date=9 January 2021}}</ref> In April 2021, Frost had her second ride in the Grand National and was unseated by Yala Enki at the 20th fence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/32/aintree/2021-04-10/775757/|title=5:15 Aintree|date=10 April 2021|work=Racing Post}}</ref> Later in the month, she rode a big-race double at [[Sandown Park Racecourse|Sandown]], winning the Grade 2 [[Oaksey Chase]] on Frodon and the Grade 1 [[Celebration Chase]] on Greaneteen, also trained by Nicholls.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/apr/24/potterman-takes-bet365-gold-cup-sandown-after-harry-skelton-and-enrilo-demoted-horse-racing |title=Potterman takes Gold Cup at Sandown after Harry Skelton and Enrilo demoted |work=The Guardian |date=25 April 2021 }}</ref>
===2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons=== The 2021/22 season began with two more Grade 1 successes for Frost. Frodon won the [[Ladbrokes Champion Chase]] at [[Down Royal Racecourse|Down Royal]] in Ireland in October<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/oct/30/bryony-frost-pilots-frodon-to-win-thrilling-down-royal-champion-chase |title=Bryony Frost pilots Frodon to win thrilling Down Royal Champion Chase |work=The Guardian |date=30 October 2021 }}</ref> and Greaneteen won the [[Tingle Creek Chase]] at Sandown in December.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/dec/04/bryony-frost-triumphs-tingle-creek-greaneteen-horse-racing |title=Bryony Frost triumphs in Tingle Creek as Greaneteen grabs glory |work=The Guardian |date=4 December 2021 }}</ref> Frost achieved a third victory in the Badger Beer Handicap Chase, this time riding Frodon, in November 2022.<ref name=Frodon/> Victories in the 2023/24 season included the Grade 3 [[Red Rum Handicap Chase]] at Aintree in April 2024.<ref name=Public>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/britain/the-public-like-her-more-than-some-trainers-paul-nicholls-perplexed-at-lack-of-opportunities-for-bryony-frost-aupGb2O2uOB9/|title='The public like her more than some trainers' - Paul Nicholls perplexed at lack of opportunities for Bryony Frost|date=25 April 2024|work=Racing Post}}</ref>
During the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, Frost was given fewer rides than previously. Nicholls said: "She's riding well. I think the public like her more than some trainers do as she doesn’t seem to get too many rides these days, but she’s still riding as good as ever." He gave his support to her decision to move to, and ride in, France.<ref name=Public/> In May 2024 Frost was appointed retained jockey in France to owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/international/france/leading-jumps-owners-simon-munir-and-isaac-souede-appoint-bryony-frost-as-new-retained-rider-akFA66o6UwOp/|title=Leading jumps owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede appoint Bryony Frost as new retained rider in France|date=4 May 2024|work=Racing Post}}</ref> She won the Cravache d'Or Feminine (top female jockey in France) in 2025 with 28 wins.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frost Called Up to Ride French Raider in Aintree Grade One|author1=Check |url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/festivals/grand-national-festival/bryony-frost-called-up-to-ride-french-raider-in-aintree-grade-1-on-grand-national-day-aqtnt4w9r7DQ/ |publisher=Racing Post |access-date=12 April 2026 |date=10 April 2026}}</ref>
==BHA investigation==
In September 2020, Frost lodged a complaint with the [[British Horseracing Authority]] (BHA) about bullying and harassment by jockey Robbie Dunne. The BHA opened an investigation in April 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/oct/17/british-horse-racing-authority-bryony-frost-investigation-bullying-claims |title=Leak reveals complaint by Bryony Frost to BHA of 'bullying and intimidation' |work=The Guardian |date=17 October 2021 }}</ref> In December 2021, the BHA announced that an independent panel had upheld the allegations against Dunne after hearing evidence from Frost, Dunne, and a number of other jockeys. Dunne was banned for 18 months, reduced to 10 months on appeal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/30/robbie-dunne-ban-in-bryony-frost-case-reduced-to-10-months-on-appeal-horse-racing |title=Robbie Dunne ban for bullying Bryony Frost reduced to 10 months on appeal |work=The Guardian |date=30 March 2022}}</ref>
== Cheltenham Festival winners (2)== * [[St James's Place Foxhunter Chase|Foxhunter Chase]] - (1) Pacha Du Polder - (2017) * [[Ryanair Chase]] - (1) Frodon - (2019)
==Other major wins== {{flagicon|UK}} '''Great Britain''' * [[King George VI Chase]] - (1) Frodon (2020) * [[Celebration Chase]] - (1) Greaneteen (2021) * [[Tingle Creek Chase]] - (1) Greaneteen (2021) {{flagicon|IRL}} '''Ireland''' * [[Ladbrokes Champion Chase]] - (1) Frodon (2021)
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://www.bryonyfrost.com Official website] {{DEFAULTSORT:Frost, Bryony}} [[Category:1995 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:British female jockeys]] [[Category:English expatriate sportspeople in France]] [[Category:English jockeys]] [[Category:People from Buckfastleigh]]