From Devon to Paris: Frost's French Racing Adventure
Grade One-winning jockey Bryony Frost made a brief return to British racing at Ascot on Friday, offering insights into her successful transition to French racing over the past 18 months. The familiar face appeared in the weighing room before two rides that finished third and eighth, marking a flying visit from her new base in central Paris.
Despite her limited French language skills, Frost has become one of France's leading female jump jockeys since moving there in May 2024. "I spoke no French when I arrived," Frost admitted, "and I still don't now, it's not something that comes naturally to me. But luckily, the horses, they speak the language of feeling, so that's good news for me."
Thriving in a New Racing System
Frost's move to France came several months after the high-profile disciplinary case where Robbie Dunne was found to have pursued a campaign of bullying and harassment against her. As she approaches the end of her first full French season running from January to December, the statistics speak volumes about her success abroad.
The 24-year-old jockey has secured 24 winners from 203 rides, placing her as the country's leading female rider over jumps and within the top-20 overall for both winners and prize-money won. Her earnings approach €1 million, equivalent to approximately £880,000.
Frost describes the French racing system as "perfect," highlighting several advantages over the British model. "The French system has it sewn up," she says. "They do it perfectly. You race for three days and then you have two days off, so you can be more in the yard and more around your team and I think that's just a massive benefit."
Embracing the French Lifestyle
The practicalities of racing in France have impressed Frost, particularly the transport infrastructure. "You can go everywhere by train, and the trains are amazing," she explains. "You can go to Strasbourg in two-and-a-half hours from Paris, which is crazy because to think about doing it in a car, you need a day and a night."
Her description of jockey life paints a vivid picture: "You jump on with your bag, you have a bit of breakfast on the train and then off you get and it's an Uber to the track, which are all within 10 minutes of the station. You bump into everybody [other jockeys] all the time, you can spot us from a mile away, going along like little turtles with our bags on our backs."
Frost's current base in central Paris represents a significant change from her rural Devon upbringing. "I miss the people that are close to me and my family," she acknowledges, "but when you spread your wings, you invite people in. And the Devon kid, I thought, you're young so for one year at least, why not live in a capital city for once in your life?"
She's already planning her next move, noting: "It's not stupid money but it is a little bit expensive, so I'm in the process of trying to buy a tiny little house somewhere in Chantilly and make a base."
Adapting to French Racing Challenges
The transition to French racing presented both challenges and opportunities for Frost. "It took time to adapt to the French style of racing and fences," she admits. "But anything new in life comes with challenges and differences, and it was exciting."
She describes the learning curve: "There's little things like turning up to racecourses that you don't know, and you don't know where the toilets are, tiny things that you don't actually really think about because you've become so used to them in England. But then you get the understanding and confidence and it starts to feel a little bit more natural and the riding can come to the forefront."
The different racing style has challenged her skills in positive ways. "It does challenge your riding, because you become so adapted to the hurdles and fences over here, but it's all still feeling, you know? You're still galloping, jumping, finding the rhythm."
Frost's success in France is particularly notable given the weight allowance system that benefits female riders in many races, providing an additional advantage in her new racing home.
