Bryony Frost made history aboard Frodon as she became the first female jockey to ride a top-level Grade One Cheltenham Festival winner over jumps on an extraordinary day, which was called “one of the most significant in the meeting’s recent history”.
Frost, 23, wiped away tears while a rapturous crowd of nearly 70,000 saluted her dramatic victory in the Ryanair Chase.
“He’s got his day, he’s Pegasus,” she said of the 9-2 winner – trained by Paul Nicholls – before more emotional scenes followed at the track.
Lizzie Kelly chalked up another triumph for the women on Siruh Du Lac, while Paisley Park landed the Stayers’ Hurdle for his blind owner Andrew Gemmell.
Frost, who started riding aged two on a donkey called Nosey, punched the air and sported a wide smile after securing the most high-profile victory by a female rider at the showpiece meeting.
“He has wings and he is the most incredible battler. He travelled, and by God he jumps,” said the Devon-born jockey after finishing ahead of 33-1 outsider Asos and Road To Respect (9-2).
Ten-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who has saddled racing greats such as Kauto Star and Denman, called it “one of the best days ever”.
A buoyant crowd at the Gloucestershire course roared their approval again in the following race as favourite Paisley Park survived a final-flight scare to seal victory for jockey Aidan Coleman and trainer Emma Lavelle.
Delighted owner Gemmell, 66, has never seen a racehorse but has put his disability behind him to travel the world and follow sporting events via radio commentaries and help from friends.
Carrying his white stick, and wearing a donated claret football scarf, the West Ham fan was helped to the winner’s podium by friend Tom Friel, the landlord of the Black Lion pub in East London where Hammers’ 1966 World Cup winners Bobby Moore and Sir Geoff Hurst used to drink.