Bullying In The Weighing Room – Will Bryony Frost's Case Mark A Sea Change For Sports?

The willingness and capability of sports governing bodies (SGBs) to tackle discrimination and harassment in sport has long been topical. The case of English National Hunt jockey, Bryony Frost, is the latest in that long line, and there is cause for optimism that things may be changing.

This article considers the determining factors in Frost’s case, how it compares to that which came before it, and what it might mean for the future of horse racing and sport more broadly.   Specifically, it looks at:

• The facts
• The first instance Decision
• The Appeal

It then continues to analyse both the panels' decisions and what can be taken from the case overall, looking at the impact of cultural norms and procedural unfairness, and whether the whole incident demonstrates changing attitudes and progress in tackling discrimination in horseracing and sports more broadly.

A copy of the British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) Independent Disciplinary Panel’s decision is available here[1]. Louis Weston of Outer Temple Chambers acted for the BHA.