Fabulous Frodon set for retirement

A quiet retirement in the beautiful Devon countryside is next on the menu for history-making horse Frodon, following the announcement of the 11 year-olds retirement.

Frodon will enjoy retirement with jockey Bryony Frost, and the duo can reflect on some wonderful victories over recent years, most notably the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton in 2020, making Frost the first ever female jockey to win the historic Grade One race.

In a dazzling career, Frodon galloped to 19 victories in 52 runs and, as well as the Boxing Day glory at Kempton, this special horse won the 2019 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and the 2021 Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Trainer Paul Nicholls confirmed the news when talking to the Sporting Life just after Christmas. He said: “He’s been a wonderful servant since he was a three-year-old and he’s going to have a wonderful home along with Black Corton with Bryony down on Exmoor.

“What a wonderful horse he’s been – I wouldn’t mind a few more like him. He’s finishing in one piece and Bryony is going to give him a home for life.” 

Frodon’s immense popularity among horse racing fans stems from his obvious talent and a determination to never give up.

Owner Paul Vogt told the Racing Post: We were planning on retiring him this season and the timing is right. He went out on a really good note and gave a wonderful round of jumping at Kempton.

“He’s been a brilliant racehorse and we’ll never find another like him. He had so much heart and ability and was a fabulous jumper.

“It’s very nice Bryony is going to have him and she’s going to do all sorts with him, including some showjumping, to keep him busy and amused.

“Bryony and Frodon made each other and they had such a great rapport. We kept Bryony on him after she’d lost her claim; she was very loyal to us and we were very loyal to her.”

“I wonder whether I really appreciated at the time just how popular he was. I know how popular he was now with the benefit of hindsight, but when you are tied up yourself in watching him race, you’re not really looking at the atmosphere from the crowd.”