Bryony Frost bullying investigation

In a minute but first read The Guardian interview which spawned the Racing Post article.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jan/09/bryony-frost-some-people-will-always-frown-opinions-are-not-facts-horse-racing

Here is part of it.

Frodon had been a 20-1 outsider but AP McCoy, the 20-times champion jockey, said afterwards it would not have mattered who rode him in the King George. Was Frost hurt by the comments of a racing giant? “Well, Ruby Walsh is a jockey I’ve followed since I was a little kid. Ruby is an inspiration and his balance upon a horse was incredible. He has that connection with [the trainer] Paul Nicholls’s yard and I’ve always watched Ruby and been lucky enough to have had a few conversations. To hear his comment about me getting the race tactically right was a massive feather in my cap because Ruby doesn’t miss a beat. So that was mega. I’ll take that instead of the other [McCoy comment].”

Frost is more troubled by the atmosphere within a small corner of racing. She alludes to the problems, with the implication that there is resentment towards her and young riders, while also saying it is not a subject she can discuss openly. “It’s a difficult topic at the minute, because there are ongoing things that need to be sorted out and there is protection that needs to be given to others. So at the moment I can’t go too much into it. But it’s something I’m going to be trying extremely hard to make better and move forward in a positive way. But at the minute my hands are tied as to how much I can go into such things.”

Is she wounded by such problems? “It’s OK,” she says with a small shrug. “There are always going to be a few people that frown. Opinions are opinions, not facts, and I think for our younger generation there are things that must be improved. It’s finding the support to become who you need to be. I will do my best to help everyone and give them all the time in the world I can. Other people give me time and I believe that should always be passed on.”

Despite our cryptic conversation is she confident such trouble will soon be resolved? “Yes. I’ll make sure that it does.”

When she is asked if the atmosphere in the weighing room, among her fellow jockeys, is difficult, Frost hesitates. “Yes. I struggle and I’ve got to make sure I don’t say anything too much. Sorry. I’m a bit stuck with this one.”

or twitter etc?

BHA probes weighing-room treatment of star rider Bryony Frost
By Lee Mottershead
UPDATED 8:31PM, JAN 10 2021
https://www.racingpost.com/news/members/latest/bha-probes-weighing-room-treatment-of-star-rider-bryony-frost/467602

Serious concerns regarding the treatment of leading jockey Bryony Frost from within the weighing room are being investigated by the BHA.

Since partnering Frodon to a historic triumph in the King George VI Chase, Frost has spoken more than once of a negative reaction directed towards her from some inside the sport, with many inferring from her comments that the most successful female rider in British racing history may be the victim of bullying.

Frost has consistently declined to go into any detail about the situation. However, speaking to the Racing Post for an upcoming interview, she stated that her reluctance to be more forthcoming is due to the ongoing involvement of the BHA.

"At the minute it's really hard for me to talk about," said Frost. "I'm not allowed to say much because it's in the hands of the BHA. They have taken control of it and for the moment I can't say any more. In time I will talk about it because it concerns something that must be improved for our younger generation."

Having burst on to the scene with a Cheltenham Festival victory aboard Pacha Du Polder in 2017, Frost has become one of racing's biggest and most popular stars, thanks both to her prowess as a jockey and a number of television interviews in which the former champion conditional rider has spoken with passion and rare insight about her job.

A regular theme in those interviews has been Frodon, on whose back Frost enjoyed a huge moment when expertly making almost all the running to win the 2019 Ryanair Chase. The Paul Nicholls team member was similarly impressive in dictating the pace aboard her favourite horse at Kempton, where the daughter of trainer Jimmy Frost became the first female jockey to win the Boxing Day showpiece.

At Kempton the following day, the 25-year-old revealed she had been confronted by hostility from inside and outside the sport, while she also confirmed a Twitter account that had been set up in her name and attracted 5,000 followers after just two posts was fake and nothing to do with her.

Talking to journalists at Kempton, Frost admitted her success had led to differing extremes of reaction, and acknowledged having been hurt by some of the conduct she has experienced.

"We're only human, of course it does," she said at Kempton. "It's hard for me to chat about it because there are still things that need to be sorted out – but I feel for our younger generation this is something I'm going to be very keen to make better.

"It's from within [the sport] at the minute, but it's nothing we can't handle. I will try to fix it. I don't want to go into it at the minute, I'm just trying to protect a few others. I can't say too much."

Frost – who continued her excellent recent form with a Chepstow double on Saturday – was similarly unable to offer more detail when giving an interview to The Guardian, published on Saturday.

Speaking with Donald McRae, she said: "It’s a difficult topic at the minute because there are ongoing things that need to be sorted out and there is protection that needs to be given to others. So at the moment I can’t go too much into it. But it’s something I’m going to be trying extremely hard to make better and move forward in a positive way. But at the minute my hands are tied as to how much I can go into such things."

Asked by McRae if the weighing room atmosphere with fellow jockeys is difficult, Frost added: "Yes. I struggle and I’ve got to make sure I don't say anything too much. Sorry. I’m a bit stuck with this one."

In response to an inquiry on the matter, a BHA spokesperson said: "The BHA does not comment on ongoing investigations or speculation concerning potential investigations."

https://www.racingpost.com/news/members/latest/bha-probes-weighing-room-treatment-of-star-rider-bryony-frost/467602

Oops -- please forgive double post from RP.

all you hear is the togetherness and camaraderie
of the NH brigade.Looks to be not the case.
Shame,she's a good jockey.

@Penzance -- Bryony is a good jockey but great for racing in the media as well. Look at the sheer joy she radiates when interviewed on camera as opposed to, say, Ryan Moore who is no more enthusiastic about winning the Derby than about root canal dentistry.

In that regard she may be the NH equivalent of Frankie, taking the game beyond racing aficionados.

Now, whether it is Bryony's media profile that causes resentment, rather than her riding Grade 1 winners for the most successful trainer in the country, who can tell? Probably a little of both, added to what was sometimes a toxic atmosphere in the past where differences were occasionally settled by fisticuffs. At least they are all sober now.

I agree with you posy about McCoys comment why would he belittle the ride she gave frodon?he wasnt so good himself when he was on best mate in the king george.

AP is entitled to his opinion. I think in this case he is wrong but have no objections to him saying it.

The ride on Frodon was masterly/misstressly imo. McCoy is entitled to HIS opinion but imo he's a grumpy sod anyway.

I'm actually in shock that this perception is out there. Miss Frost is surely mistaken, every day I hear mick Fitz bo ll cks, telling us about the great camaraderie amongst the racing fraternity, everyone loves each other, they are all popular lovely lads/lasses, so sorry Bryony I'm not buying it

its always...... and always will be for the cameras


Anyone that read McCoys first book will know the real McCoy - no ad or pun intended- how he is still married to his wife is a mystery in itself if wot was written was true

as usual it takes an outside interview (mostly the Guardian) before the RP decide to jump on the bandwagon

ruby was pointing out she rides the horse the same way,goes out in front then slows it up and goes her pace which won her the race,he also pointed out in the ryanair she wasnt allowed to slow it up because Min's jockey was waiting for it and didnt allow it to happen and he suspects they will be waiting for it in the gold cup,so mccoy was also right in that anyone could have won on frodon with how the race went  but think he would have been better having a go at the other jockeys instead of putting it that way

The difference is Walsh is very articulate and he get his points across well. McCoy is not particularly careful with his words to avoid offending. Both of them were making valid points, it's just McCoy came across as not given Frost any credit for what was actually a very good ride for all the reasons that Walsh gave. I'm sure that's not what he actually meant.

i would imagine the rest of the weighing room are embarrassed that one of their own is giving interviews,been led by the media to believe she,s dr dolittle talking to hoirses and horses talking back to her telling her theuve had enought,more to give blah,blah,obviously if the media were to ask if the horses have stopped listening when she rides 40 losers on the bounce or frodden runs a stinker,she might stop talking shoite,
as for kg think most people think/no it was down to the fancied horses not performing or just judging by pumpkins yard alone do they think frodden,s now a 180 plus horse

it is coming soon to the stage where any criticism of anyone is deemed as bullying ,any criticism of anyone black/asian/foreign is racism ,any criticism of women is sexism .Its all political correct nonsense .

Everytime!

Can only imagine the bullying that went on in the 60/70/80/90's lol compared to today. Same in most work places and sports. Not saying
its right but you had to be very strong of character and have ability to succeed in those environments.

Hopefully there is nothing too serious involved here but it is pretty obvious why other jockeys would want to make fun of and some
would feel resentment towards Bryony. She attempts to put all the fuss around her winners onto the horses themselves but in reality
that just gains more attention for herself and I dont think I have seen a jockey give so many media interviews in such a short period of time as her.
She sensibly and very professionally knows how to use the media to increas her profile.

Get be out of here was the name of the horse stew.It was Lydia who comment on it.But sadly for my pocket it never won at cheltenham.