Three Jockeys to look out for in 2022

The turn of the new year brings fresh anticipation for a new racing calendar. Last year was shrouded in controversy after we saw failed breathalyser tests, Gordon Elliott’s animal cruelty and bullying furore. Nonetheless, the action on the track made for an entertaining spectacle, with plenty of shocks to the latest racing results along the way. As we begin a new year, a fresh canvas is laid out for a plethora of trainers and jockeys to put their name on the map and earn new accolades, all with one eye on the showpiece events.

It won’t be long until the likes of the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National come creeping up on us. So, we thought we better get prepared and take a look at three jockeys we think could exceed expectations heading into the new year.

Rachael Blackmore

After winning BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the Year, Rachel Blackmore is riding the crest of a wave. Having picked up the Grand National back in April, becoming the first female rider to do so, she’ll be looking to enter the new year in as emphatic style, with her victory alongside Honeysuckle meaning she’ll garner the majority of attention and enter as a favourite with most of the bookies. Capable of retaining her title, and potentially adding to her wins in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle and Irish Champion Hurdle, Blackmore is certainly one of the more star-studded jockeys on this list.

Harry Skelton

Having picked up the British Jump Jockeys’ Championship, the pressure will be on Harry Skelton to replicate his success in 2022. The son of Olympic gold medal-winning showjumper Nick, Skelton enjoyed a great jumps season. After leaving his brother Dan to work with other trainers, he garnered a reputation as a man who can handle leading rides, picking up 65 wins, including the Manifesto Novices’ Chase. He is being touted to perform well at Cheltenham, where the spotlight’s shine will be amped up a few notches.

Bryony Frost

The winner of the 2020 renewal of the King George VI Chase with Frodon, Bryony Frost endured a difficult time in 2021, but after her bullying and harassment complaint against fellow jockey Robbie Dunne was settled via an independent panel, she can get back to concentrating on what she does best in at a time where a shakeup in attitude was much needed for the sport. What we can’t do is let off the track incidents overshadow the point we are trying to convey — Bryony Frost is a terrific jockey.

Having picked up the Down Royal Champion Chase last year, a massive win on Irish shores, she demonstrated the jumping ability and consistency to show why she is so highly rated, as is reliable horse Frodon, who Frost spoke so highly of after victory in Northern Ireland: “What more can you say about him? That was tough. The uncertainty of where we were going out there and he was having a good look around.” She said: “I always preach about his determination and that it is infectious and that you can beat anyone when you are on him, but you really can because he believes he can.”