Bryony Frost is eager to savour every moment as she reunites with Frodon in search of another famous victory in Wincanton’s Badger Beer Handicap Chase.
Paul Nicholls’ popular 11-year-old carried top-weight to victory in conjunction with his ever-loyal pilot 12 months ago and the duo will be looking to repeat the dose on Saturday afternoon when Frodon steps out for the first time in what will be his final season in training.
Frost envisages plenty of Frodon supporters making the trip to Wincanton as she dreams of another heroic afternoon aboard the horse that has hallmarked her riding career.
“At the end of the day he doesn’t owe anyone anything and you know for a fact going out there, he is going to give 110 per cent out on track,” said Frost.
“I can’t wait to experience the crowd, and last year was the same. We had people coming down from Newcastle and places like that just to come and see him and he had a lot of support.
“With this being his swansong year, I feel that people are going to come out to see Frodon regardless of what happens out on track and for me that is very special to be a part of, I’m very lucky.
“I remember the first time my name went alongside him, how excited and nervous I was all at the same time to get to ride Frodon, it was like ‘wow’. It’s the same feeling now and I don’t know how many times we have partnered each other (28), but we’ve been around the block with each other and it’s awesome.”
She went on: “The (2019) Ryanair was incredible but I could argue that the Champion Chase in Ireland (at Down Royal in 2021) really meant a lot.
“He turned the tables that day (on Minella Indo) and was as brave as I had ever had him and the way he defended the front for me. I get goosebumps talking about it as you rarely meet a character as brave as that – horse, human, whatever you like – in any walk of life.
“We’ve done it for so many years now and the partnership in itself is very special. His owner Mr Vogt is a great chap to ride for and he is pretty much symbolic now in the yard at Ditcheat. He is one of a kind and very special to a lot of people.”
The ground at Wincanton was described as good to firm when Frodon got on the scoresheet in 2022, but conditions are likely to be on the softer side this time around, with Frost keen to see as little rain as possible before the big race to boost her mount’s chances.
“He’s never liked it too testing,” continued Frost. “His main thing he likes to do is jump and when it gets heavy and testing and tacky, he doesn’t tend to jump out of it.
“He’s best on that good ground where he can really operate over his fences, that’s where he gets his biggest kicks from.”
She went on: “We’ve got a lot of weight on soft ground, which in tight handicaps is always something that will take its toll, but he doesn’t know his age at home and he’s in fantastic form.
“He’s in great shape and I schooled him in the middle of the week. He was his usual boisterous, enthusiastic self in the school and I just can’t wait to go out there and gallop and jump fences with him.”
The locally-based Nicholls has won four of the last six Badger Beer Chases and will also saddle Frodon’s stablemate Threeunderthrufive in search of his 12th victory in the race.
“He was frustrating last season but to be fair he struggled with his breathing in his races, so he had a wind op in the summer and seems in very good shape ahead of his return to action,” Nicholls told Betfair.
“Crucially he has won all five of his starts on right-handed tracks and he stays very well. The Badger Beer Chase looks a perfect stepping stone for him ahead of the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and he might well be the one to beat at Wincanton.”
Joe Tizzard is another nearby handler aiming for success in the track’s feature event, where The Big Breakaway attempts to leave some disappointing outings in the spring in the past and return to the form that saw him finish second in the Welsh National last Christmas.
He said: “His first couple of runs at Haydock and in the Coral Welsh National were cracking runs, but he didn’t run great at Cheltenham and then he was unlucky at Aintree, he just got knocked over at the second through no fault of his own.
“We think it is a nice place to start at Wincanton and he will have his ground and we think it is a nice place to start before we head to the Becher Chase.”
iPrint joins forces with SVREL as Billboard Advertising Partner for Mouttet Mile 2024
iPrint is the latest corporate entity to signal its support for 2024 Mouttet Mile by coming onboard as the official billboard advertising partner for the event.
The partnership will see iPrint amplifying the event’s visibility with a series of impactful promotional displays on its traditional and electronic billboards across Kingston and St. Catherine.
“We’re proud to welcome iPrint on board as our advertising partner for the Mouttet Mile. Their expertise in outdoor advertising brings significant visibility and will help to raise public awareness and excitement for the event. We know their placements will reach thousands of potential attendees and will increase the anticipation and excitement for Jamaica’s premier racing event across key areas in Kingston and St. Catherine,” Aswanda Stoddart, SVREL AVP Administration, said.
iPrint’s involvement demonstrates its commitment to supporting Jamaica’s vibrant sports and entertainment scene and aligns with the company’s dedication to innovative advertising solutions that engage the community and bring high-profile events to the forefront.
“The efforts of SVREL in organizing and delivering this exceptional event, which not only elevates the profile of sports in Jamaica but also garners global attention through live broadcasts, are truly commendable,” said Mark Haddad, Sales Director at iprint Group of Companies.
“Supporting the Mouttet Mile aligns perfectly with the vision of enhancing and showcasing Brand Jamaica on the world stage. By collaborating with this diverse and prestigious event, we have a unique opportunity to amplify Jamaica’s cultural and sporting legacy. It is only fitting that we pledge our continued support to ensure the sustained success of the Mouttet Mile for many years to come, further solidifying Jamaica’s reputation as a hub of excellence and innovation,” he added.
SVREL and iPrint look forward to a successful collaboration that brings even more excitement to this year’s Mouttet Mile set for December 7 at Caymanas Park.
SVREL chairman calls for urgent reforms in stewarding after Heroes’ Day disruption at Caymanas Park
Following an internal investigation by Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), significant gaps in training have been identified, leading to stewarding practices at Caymanas Park falling short of international standards. As a result, SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe has called for urgent intervention from the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service to address these issues and ensure the future integrity of horse racing in Jamaica.
The investigation was prompted after the Heroes’ Day race meet at Caymanas Park was abandoned on Monday, October 21, 2024. A group of punters reacted violently to the stewards’ decision in Race 2, leading to the event’s cancellation for safety reasons. Sharpe stressed that the current state of officiating is not up to par for a racing jurisdiction aspiring to world-class status.
“Our internal investigation has identified significant training gaps that have resulted in local stewarding practices falling short of international standards,” Sharpe said. He explained that while SVREL provides the facilities for racing, the stewards' oversight falls under the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), a government-appointed body. Sharpe believes this disparity between local and international standards must be addressed immediately.
In his statement, Sharpe emphasized that improving stewarding standards is critical for the growth of horse racing in Jamaica. He called for the implementation of mandatory certification programs for stewards, ensuring that they are properly trained to handle the complexities of modern racing. He also advocated for regular assessments and retraining of officials to maintain a high level of competence and consistency in their decision-making.
Sharpe further stressed the need for clear accountability frameworks to be established, so that all decisions made by stewards are transparent and based on consistent, well-defined criteria. This, he believes, would help avoid situations like the one on Heroes’ Day, where the lack of clarity led to confusion and frustration among punters. Moreover, Sharpe called for the introduction of an independent appeals mechanism that would allow for the review of stewarding decisions, ensuring fairness and trust in the system.
Sharpe explained that these reforms are essential to creating a level playing field and restoring confidence in the integrity of horse racing at Caymanas Park. He expressed frustration that despite previous discussions with the JRC about the need for improved officiating, little progress has been made.
The incident on Heroes’ Day, which caused significant financial losses estimated at over JMD$70 million, underscored the importance of addressing these issues urgently. While Sharpe acknowledged the passion of racing fans, he firmly condemned the violent behaviour that followed the stewards' decision, stating that it endangered lives and tarnished the reputation of the sport. "While we value our patrons' enthusiasm, any expression of discontent must remain within acceptable bounds of sporting behaviour,” he asserted.
Sharpe also expressed disappointment with the lack of response from industry stakeholders following the incident. He pointed out that many who are typically vocal about SVREL’s operations have remained silent on this serious breach of sporting conduct. He called on all stakeholders to take equal responsibility for the sport’s integrity and to advocate for improvements in officiating and the overall management of races.
“The growth and sustainability of horse racing in Jamaica require more than just infrastructure investment and promotional efforts,” Sharpe said. “It demands the consistent application of international best practices across all aspects of racing.”
SVREL remains committed to modernizing Caymanas Park and advancing Jamaican horse racing. However, Sharpe made it clear that this vision can only be achieved through collective responsibility, with all stakeholders playing an active role in improving the industry’s standards and holding each other accountable.
“The time has come for all stakeholders to demonstrate their commitment to the industry's growth not merely through words, but through actions, consistent engagement, and a willingness to address difficult issues head-on,” Sharpe concluded.
SVREL apologizes for disruption and cancellation of Heroes' Day Race Meet at Caymanas Park
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has issued an apology to its customers and stakeholders following the cancellation of Monday’s Heroes' Day race meet at Caymanas Park. The cancellation came after a series of disruptions stemming from the disqualification of the first-place finisher in Race 2, which caused unrest among some punters at the track.
In a statement, SVREL explained the incident: "On Monday, October 21, 2024, a series of unfortunate events led to the disruption and subsequent cancellation of races at Caymanas Park by the Jamaica Racing Commission Stewards."
The unrest began when the stewards' decision in Race 2 led to the disqualification of the initial winner. Displeased with the result, some punters expressed their dissatisfaction by throwing debris, creating an unsafe environment for patrons, participants, and horses.
"After the announcement of the race results, some punters became agitated and expressed their dissatisfaction in a manner that compromised the safety and security of all present. This included the throwing of debris across the Park, creating an unsafe environment for patrons, participants, and horses alike," the statement continued.
As the situation grew more volatile, trainers began voicing concerns for their safety, leading to the cancellation of subsequent races.
"In light of this development and prioritizing the safety of the horses, horsemen, punters, and all attendees, the stewards made the decision to abandon race 4 and subsequently, the entire race meet for the day," SVREL said.
The company further emphasized that security personnel, supported by the police, were working to manage the situation and prevent any further escalation.
SVREL concluded by offering a formal apology for the inconvenience caused: "Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited, the operator of Caymanas Park, extends our sincerest apologies to our valued customers and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by the abandonment of the race meet."
The company reiterated its commitment to the safety of all involved in the sport, while promising to address the issues that led to the disruption.
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