Asian Spice and a delighted Bryony Frost© Photo Healy Racing
Bryony Frost made a fleeting visit to Exeter from her new home of France for two rides and was successful on her father Jimmy’s Asian Spice in the ICL, Impact For A Sustainable Future Challenger Mares Handicap Hurdle.
Frost returned to a real hero’s welcome at her local track, with a huge cheer greeting her as she punched the air crossing the line.
Based in France since the summer, where she has ridden 10 winners as retained jockey for major owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, Frost partnered Sans Bruit to finish third in the Haldon Gold Cup earlier on the card.
But Asian Spice was the one she wanted, trained by her dad and owned by former trainer Martin Hill, an old family friend, the 3-1 chance cruised around and came home five lengths clear to notch up a third course win.
“It’s great to come back and ride a winner at my local track, the atmosphere and ambience of all the fans, I can’t tell you…” Frost told ITV Racing..
“I don’t normally celebrate but as I crossed the line, the fact I was winning for dad, winning for Martin (Hill, owner) and knowing how much everyone at home works – I can’t tell you how much that has buzzed me up.
“If the old man says ‘B, you can’t get beat’ there’s only you that can mess it up, so the pressure was on. I can fly back out to France with a smile on my face.”
Jimmy Frost said: “It’s great, Martin bred the mare and I bred the jockey!”
Bryony insisted that she is very much enjoying life across the Channel, assisting with all aspects of the Munir and Souede operation.
She said: “I’m very pleased with how it is going as I have 10 winners on the board.?
“I’m settling into the rhythm of the double green team out there. Everybody is getting to know me and I’m getting to know them, and the horses.
“I’ve gone out there to be an asset for them and that is my main job to be that. I want to bring them some big success and that is the aim of the game.
“We have some beautiful two-year-olds ready to go for next year and that really excites me as they are gorgeous horses.
“For me to be working closely with them at the beginning of their career is great. I’m really looking forward to the future with them.”
However, more visits back home are not ruled out, with Frost adding: “If the owners want me, I’ll come back for it if I’m not busy for double green, as they have me first as they are my commitment and my team.
“After that, I’m free to ride for who I wish and who wants me. When I’m here, I’ll make the most of it for sure.
“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.”
