Jockey Bryony Frost celebrated her win in Exeter’s popular Clydesdale race with a Frankie Dettori-style flying dismount.
Bryony was riding 11-year-old Siryl in the the annual Devon Day race, which took place on Sunday (26 November).
She was victorious by a half length, beating Nico De Boinville on Midge and Nick Scholfield on Salvo.
The race was held to raise funds for Devon Air Ambulance
“To join in with this sort of thing and to raise money for the Devon Air Ambulance is brilliant and what the racing community is all about,” said Bryony, whose father Jim won the 1989 Grand National on Little Polvier.
“My family live on Dartmoor and we’ve used the air ambulance before. It’s a really wonderful initiative and I’m so happy to support it.”
Tim Ancrum, who owns the Clydesdales with Aileen Ware, said it was a “fantastic day”.
“Not every Clydesdale is lucky enough to have a professional jockey on board!” he said.
“It’s fabulous to be able to raise money for such a great cause. We’re so proud of Siryl, who is the veteran of the horses, yet managed to pull it out the bag and win for the second year in a row.”
Tim added that the race raises awareness of the Clydesdale breed, which is diminishing in numbers with only 1,000 breeding mares left in the world.
“This race helps to showcase the versatility of the horses and increase awareness of them,” added Aileen.
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“Their numbers are dwindling and it’s important that we keep them in the public eye.”
The race raised more than £2,300 in bets taken on the day, with further funds made from a bucket collection and race day “owners”.
Siryl’s “owners”, Lisa Gasson-Jones and Kelly Rogers from Buckfastleigh, said: “It’s such a good cause and the horses are wonderful. We went for a ride with Tim the other day and decided to support them by becoming owners for the day.”
