I was a top jockey who almost got arrested hours before winning the Grand National – now my daughter makes the headlines
“I THOUGHT I was going to be arrested.”
As preparations for riding in a Grand National a few hours later go, this was not the best.
But it’s amazing what some sweet-talking and, believe it or not, a tip for the policeman in question can do.
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Because later that afternoon in April 1989, instead of being locked up in a cell, Jimmy Frost was king of the world – the winner of the Grand National.
He almost didn’t make it to Aintree for the leg up on the unfancied Little Polveir.
Some 12 years old and 28-1, Little Polveir ‘wouldn’t go anywhere near fences’ the first time schooling them.
And he could have had a totally different jockey on his back rather than Jimmy were it not for some quick thinking when confronted by the copper.
Jimmy recalled: “We got pulled over by a policeman on the way to the course. I thought he was going to arrest me.
“We went through some red lights, not concentrating, talking to people in the car.”
When Jimmy told him what his job was and where he was going , he let him off – but not without the former rider delivering a golden nugget.
He said: “I told him to make sure he had a tenner on Little Polveir. I wonder if he ever did!”
As it turned out Little Polveir won easily by seven lengths and made Jimmy, who rode more than 500 winners including the Champion Hurdle two years later, a household name.
An impressive career most jockeys would love to have – but one that’s arguably been surpassed by that of his daughter Bryony.
One of the stars of the ITV docu-series Champions: Full Gallop, Bryony is among the biggest names in racing.
Mind you, if it was down to her old man she’d have found a completely different way to make a living.
Jimmy said previously: “Some years ago, when Bryony told me she wanted to be a jockey, I tried to put her off.
“I knew it would be tough for her but the world is there to astound us.
“Even though I knew she was a good rider, you don’t dare let yourself dream. I never had any idea she would be as good as she is.
“She’s doing fantastically well, but even now I remind her of one thing all the time.
“She can’t write the book of life – all she can do is live it.”
Bryony is certainly doing her best in that regard, but you couldn’t say it’s all come easy for her.
Sure, there was the 2019 Ryanair win on Frodon and the 2020 King George victory on the same horse, a magnificent now-retired equine superstar who she still holds so close to her heart.
Add in the 2021 Tingle Creek win on Greaneteen, a Ladbrokes Champion Chase victory on the awesome Frodon again and many, many more in a career that, even aged just 29, has seen her make more than £2million in prize money.
But then there was the bullying row with Robbie Dunne that threw both their careers into chaos.
Not to mention countless injuries, including a fractured back and injured shoulder after a crushing fall at the Grand National meeting two years ago.
Another recent injury came after she decided to take up a new riding opportunity in France.
There, she has become retained rider for big-time owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede – the ‘double green’ team behind the likes of El Fabiolo, Impaire Et Passe and Jasmin De Vaux.
But after some gruelling rehab they announced Bryony was fit to return.
She said: “I’ve done my time, my training and I’m now ready for this season!”
Hopefully we see her getting some deserved big rides back in Britain as well as France and, who knows, maybe the chance to emulate her dad in the biggest race of all.
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