Bryony Frost ‘moved to tears’ by fans welcome on rare British appearance

The history-making jump jockey, who is now based full-time in France, rode a winner for trainer father Jimmy on her first ride at home since August

Bryony Frost was celebrated like a returning hero after she rode a winner on a rare appearance in Britain on Friday.

Since the end of last season the 29-year-old has based herself in France, where she has a job riding the string of top owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

She has ridden ten winners so far and had not been seen on the track in Britain since August.

Frost was Invited back to partner the Paul Nicholls-trained Sans Bruit, who she rode to victory at Aintree in April, in the Haldon Gold Cup.

A queue of well-wishers were waiting outside the weighing room to catch sight of her and while that horse could only finish third, her other mount, Asian Spice, trained by her dad Jimmy, took the next race, the mares’ hurdle.

Frost, whose big race wins include the Ryanair Chase at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival and the 2020 King George VI Chase, was given a rapturous reception back to the winners enclosure.

“The atmosphere and the ambience here with all the local fans was great,” she said. “I don’t normally celebrate, but when I passed the line there was a buzz that came with it as I was winning for dad, and for Martin Hill (owner).

"I can’t tell you how much that has buzzed me up. That was awesome. When your old man says you can’t get beat you are pretty much on to a good thing and it is only you that can mess up the day so the pressure was on.”

Frost, who stopped for many requests for selfies and autographs with racegoers, is next due to ride in France at Durtal on Sunday and Compiegne on Monday.

"I will fly back out to France with a smile on my face,” she said. “The crowd are always on my side whether I’m pulling up or coming in first and I miss them the most.

“They’ve always been behind me and it brings me a bit to tears the amount of support I had there crossing the line. Riding a winner for your dad is rare, but when they come round they are very special.

“I celebrated as I didn’t know what to do with myself as it was insane. That is one of the biggest roars I’ve heard. I can feel the buzz around the place.”