Bryony Frost out for longer than first thought as injuries are worse than feared

Bryony Frost looks set to miss the majority of the summer jumps season after it emerged her injuries suffered at Newton Abbot this month are worse than first thought.

Frost, 23, believed she had escaped with a few bruises after her saddle slipped and she was unseated from Billy My Boy and trodden on by the chasing Nabhan on July 6.

However, her scan results revealed internal injuries including a fractured sternum, a liver tear and a bruised pancreas, although surgery will not be required. Frost will not be able to return until the second week of August at the absolute earliest as she requires the results from a second scan.

Frost said on Tuesday: "I went to Derriford Hospital from Newton Abbot after my fall and I thought I’d be out the following morning and back riding. However, the CT scan came back and the damage was more serious than expected.

"It showed that as well as a fracture to the end of my sternum I had a small liver tear and bruising to my pancreas, none of which required surgery.

"I also had an unusual injury to the artery to my pancreas which had been damaged and started to swell causing a sac called an aneurysm.

"Fortunately it did not leak, which can be life-threatening, and with rest it should heal without an operation.”

Further scans needed

She is set to go into rehabilitation in Lambourn and the jockey, who enjoyed seven victories aboard Black Corton last season, is already missing the racecourse.

"I’ve been off for only a fortnight and I’m already getting very restless," said Frost, who has already ridden 11 winners this season, in her Jockey Club Racecourses blog.

"I must be patient as I want to be back 100 per cent fit and ready. Just because I'm riding the horse, doesn't mean he has to carry me, it's my job to carry him home.

"All being well I’ll be up at Oaksey House in two weeks’ time to start my rehabilitation, but I will need further scans in August before getting the all-clear to start riding again."

Brilliant support

Frost has also praised the help she has received in what she describes as her 'first serious injury' in her six-year riding career.

"I have had some brilliant support throughout the process," she added.

"Everyone at Newton Abbot, the team at Derriford Hospital, the PJA, Paul Nicholls and the team at Ditcheat, Neil King, Mick Channon, and Jerry Hill [the BHA’s chief medical officer].

"Jerry in particular has been incredible. This was my first serious fall I’ve had as a professional jockey and he has been able to help me understand and respect the injuries I’ve had.

"It is inevitable that we have falls and suffer injuries, it is part of being a jockey.

"I live to ride horses and there's nothing else in the world that comes close. As jockeys we live to ride horses and that is all I ever want to do, so I will never have any regrets."

If you were interested in this you should also read:

'I receive a lot of letters and always write back' – read the Bryony Frost Q&A

Bryony Frost taken to hospital after being stood on in Newton Abbot fall

Bryony Frost in dreamland as magnificent Milansbar finishes fifth