PJA president David Bass reacts to Robbie Dunne verdict - and comment from Racing TV's Steve Mellish

Jockey Robbie Dunne has been banned by the British Horseracing Authority for 18 months for bullying and harrassing fellow jockey Bryony Frost - Professional Jockeys Association David Bass explains to Racing TV that he is friends with both and gives his perspective on the hearing and the criticisms that have been made against the culture of the weighing room.
However, Racing TV's Steve Mellish gives his own perspective on the situation and the findings of the BHA's independent disciplinary panel.
Read more about the case: www.racingtv.com/news/robbie-...
#HorseRacing #RobbieDunne #BryonyFrost #Jockeys #Horses
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[@TheoMoynihan]

"im not taking sides but ..." thought this was a pretty pathetic effort from bass tbh

[@C4sp3r123]

Steve Mellish saying exactly what should have been said in the interview.

[@karenhenninger2920]

NOBODY deserves to be bullied and abused. Obviously the man can only speak using foul language. And shame on all those spineless jockeys who stood by, witnessed it and kept their cowardly mouths shut. That goes not only for this case, is this is the norm in weighing rooms - then horse racing deserves nobody’s respect anymore.

[@cantbuyathrill1550]

David Bass, sitting on the fence....should be more opinionated in his position instead of fear of upsetting others. Well out of his depth in my opinion 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@tlaf4367]

Bass is a ONEKERR

[@Essydyk]

Why is he going on about better facilities and testing - that's not the issue that you are supposed to be talking about. Bass usually comes across as decent but he seems very worked up here and quite frankly way out of his depth. Blowing smoke out of his arse and simply trying to deflect everything as a default blame the BHA.

[@ryanjackson01]

"we will not tolerate any bullying" One of your colleagues has just been found guilty of bullying and you did nothing about it

[@john131349]

No they did do something. They backed the bully and shunned the victim

[@timtam6442]

By the time you read this comment, David Bass will no longer be in his position. The formal statement the PJA issued after this judgement was nothing other than a disgrace.

[@fazfinisher5598]

To coin a phrase her reception back in any changing room will be frosty, regardless of any judgement made in her favour.

[@bensouthwell1339]

She will find out who are her true friends. My advice is to keep a diary may come in handy years down the road when the book comes out. SHAME is also a dish best served cold.

[@tomtheeagle1]

Thankfully the race going public are more supportive of her and her colleagues would do well to take note.

[@mickeypip1524]

@@bensouthwell1339 wrongly quoted ,but you gave it a “ go” , nonetheless ,Ben ... Revenge not shame...back to school , eh? Can do better!

[@bensouthwell1339]

@@mickeypip1524 Revenge is the right quotation, Shame was my wording to fit the crime as it were. Revenge she cant do but by christ she can shame a good few of them.

[@tomleach1428]

Bass isn't taking sides but says how great Robbie dunne is? Oookay 😅

[@tlaf4367]

Yes exactly. He should have never been a jockey either he's too big and is so unbalanced on a horse.

[@suemaher5282]

One jockey going to work in isolation and one jockey suspended from his work. Surely there could be an independent person that could have sorted this at the start. Instead 2 people are pulled through this and we are not sure that any changes are going to come anytime soon. Imagine going to work and no one talking to u. Whatever opinion people have u wouldnt want your sister or daughter putting up with any of this. No one won today but racing definitely lost.

[@michaelkinahan1829]

There was a victory for the courage to stand up against bullies

[@bensouthwell1339]

She won, the guy was a bully and perhaps a thug she alone stood up to him whilst others cowered.....oh yes she won.

[@suemaher5282]

@@bensouthwell1339 She did Ben but did so herself no one came from that weighing room and stood up for her.

[@rodneymckee8431]

@@suemaher5282 spot on sue regarding the other jockeys backing her there's a lot more to this than we know imo

[@neilmitchinson2680]

Bass says he's not taking sides is he ignoring what was said to Bryony and he is doing a good pr job for dunne

[@tonymurray814]

Steve Mellish is spot on. Senior jockeys including bass has no balls.

[@henrypeyton9402]

Dylan mcmonagle didn't go whinging to the Bha when he was abused by frankie dettori last month in an incident that was widely publicized . No ban for frankie or over the top announciations from the bha about culture. Jockeys put their personal safety on the line every time they get on a horse. Many are in wheelchairs and suffering brain damage as a result. The two ambulances driving around after you is a reality of the sport. So if a jockey puts your safety at risk in the course of a race I'd imagine you'd have something to say when you came back into the weighroom. You wouldn't politely thank them for it.. Race riding is a unique sport where women compete on a level playing field with the men. Somebody should tell the bha.

[@bensouthwell1339]

someone did she was called Bryony. Forget the bullshit and remember a guy threatened a young woman swore at a young woman flashed his dick at a young woman and the other men in the room done NOTHING and tell the world this is normal. There culture stinks and I for one would like to see a few more jockeys on the dole that refuse to protect a woman in distress.

[@staygoldponyboy8881]

Dettori said what he wanted to say in the heat of the moment and that was that. He hasn't abused,tormented and threatened anyone over an extended period of time like Dunne has. I get there are times when people think stuff should be kept in house and no one likes a grass but this case goes well beyond that fella.

[@mickeypip1524]

Dettori is too high a profile figure for the BHA to take on !

[@chrishodgson6302]

Well said, Steve Mellish.

[@kepnjem]

It's so sad that the sport of kings is turning in to the sport of prats.

[@tomb407]

Toxic culture exposed.

[@whodouthinkuare]

Anybody who knows Robert Dunne, knows he's not rotten at heart. Im not condoning the allegations against him, but having known him for so long, its an awful situation, thats leaves a bad smell in the weighing room.

[@robertmartin8233]

You don't talk to anybody like that, whether you're friends with him or not,male or female,if anyone talked to my daughters or my sisters like that,and exposed himself to them like he did, his face would be going through the nearest wall, totally unacceptable.should have been banned for life,and MC Coy and Johnson, not to even mention the rest of those arseholes supporting this behaviour, seriously, get your head out of the sand.

[@moulinyan]

Bass has definitely racked a few lines in his time

[@mickeypip1524]

The bit of banter about the Virtual Grand National was funny and had it been said by a different jockey , I wonder if he would have been pilloried....? Life used to have people ‘ pulling each others’ legs : it was banter , pure banter. Now we go around sullen and morose ,because no one can take a joke and give it back. Toys are thrown out of prams by people who “take exception.” and get on their “High horses” To say this is tantamount to bullying shows how sick our society now is...

[@hammersteve2746]

Steve absolutely spot on. The PJAs response was utterly absurd. Who was standing up for Bryony Frost through all this.......wasn't the PJA.

[@staygoldponyboy8881]

Firstly, enjoy your holiday Mr Dunne, you have both earned and deserve it! Secondly the perceived snubbing of Bryony Frost by other jockeys really does stink and reflects terribly on the sport of horse racing.

[@marcpage1925]

Well said. At the end of the day was there any call for his behaviour and you sow what you reap

[@nicholasscott4124]

Some serious misogyny exists.

[@keithmcgregor3330]

They obviously thing what she’s done is wrong and have seen no evidence of what she is accusing him of, seems she is just believed at face value. I’d like to see some evidence

[@patricksmith3432]

Its a disgrace dunes a THUG and a bully good riddance to him for 18 months

[@staygoldponyboy8881]

@@keithmcgregor3330 errrm, there were witnesses! Staff at the racecourse heared what he said to her and came forward! Most of the jockeys are keeping quite due to misplaced loyalties and the others are probably scared of him.

[@andrewsavage9148]

Steve Mellish talking utter sense as usual.

[@neilmitchinson2680]

Well said Steve mellish good man he is right ,pundits hardly ever ever ever criticise a jockey for giving a horse a diabolical ride do you know why because they are afraid of possibly losing their connection with that jockey and stables he rides for ,the worst one is Mick Fitzgerald who will skirt around a bad ride giving excuses etc he is spineless

[@neilmitchinson2680]

@@clarevoyant6322 it's not about rides it's about being truthful and not being afraid to say if a jockey has given a horse a terrible ride , how many Nicky Henderson horses does Mick Fitzgerald tip for you ????

[@peterbullock2660]

Couldn't agree more, Mick Fitzgerald I'm sure is a decent guy, but he should condemn dunne and offer support to Bryony. I do wonder with Fitzgerald being a pja member, whether he made some of the running to install David bass into this job, after all bass was a young rider at Nicky Henderson's yard when he himself was stable jockey. Both nice guys but totally useless on this occasion

[@victorsoane381]

Poor interview,the jockeys need a better representative than this.

[@stiofanocorra3403]

well spoken mr mellish....its takes a lot of courage to be a female jockey over jumps and to be bullied by a male jockey in any situation is sickening.....nobody should be supporting dunne

[@garylakey5061]

Bryony Frost is the cancer of National hunt racing!

[@markselwyn7014]

@@garylakey5061 you are a disgrace.

[@pauloconnor5101]

I think you can handle it by refusing to be bullied I'm sure she's capable of giving as good as she gets. I think the BHA are culpable as well she shouldn't have to share male facilities when you risk your life or livelyhood every day it's bound to get tense. Will be interesting things see the long term ramifications of this hopefully they are good.

[@MrSamo65]

@@garylakey5061 yes agreed .. more to this yet ... he never had a chance

[@pauldonohoe3646]

She should be ashamed of herself. Disgrace to racing.

[@keithknight1686]

David Bass's comments on the B.H.A. I agree wholeheartedly. But what was needed was an apology on behalf of the weighing room to Bryony.

[@ceesmith]

If it wasn't for the BHA we'd still have horses dying in the ditches behind the National fences and jockeys lashing horses 20+ times in the last furlong. They are not perfect but they generally act for the good.

[@keithknight1686]

@@ceesmith The B.H.A. are reactive not pro-active. Cushioned whips came about through the jockeys themselves. Chest protectors came about through the efforts of John Francome. The whip debate has gone on for the whole length of time the B.H.A. have been in charge. The Dunne/Frost thing could have been settled within weeks, yet the B.H.A. allowed it to drag on for the best of a year. The B.H.A. are not in charge of the sport, that is why there are so many conflicts, arguments, with no agreement on anything. The sport needs someone like Barry Hearne, someone who listens and then makes a proactive decision. At the moment the heads of departments at the B.H.A. are in it for the salary, having no real interest in the sport.

[@AA-pd4pn]

'We dont condone bullying...but' lol

[@markignatius7234]

Brilliant Steve. Bravo.

[@icanmix]

Well said Steve Mellish - the voice of reason.

[@grahamtrigwell3042]

Facilities have nothing to do with someone's mindset on bullying bullying can happen going to the start during the race outside of the course to blame facilities is a bit of a cop out he got what he deserved

[@lukemccann]

I don’t like the “21st century” chat. I want to see two footed tackles and a punch be resolved with a yellow and a handshake. For sport to have more balls and less PC sh*** in general. Having said that, I’ve always looked at racing and thought 💭 God love those female jockeys. You can just tell they need to have skin thicker than a rhino to survive in that environment. Any wrong move or comment and they’d get nailed. No proof but that was always my impression. I think that’s why only the most masculine types (won’t say who) paved the way successfully over recent years, before younger attractive women have been able to bring out their own personalities with glamour, and success!! Couldn’t believe when I heard Bryony was only 26... can remember her having big wins on Frodon (and being utterly exceptional in the process with strategy and execution) a few years ago. The fact she’s had to burden this for likely years, while being little more than a young girl (albeit tough and experienced for her age) does leave you with a sick feeling. This man is 10 years her senior. He has a duty of care there, and has has obviously fallen some way short. Now not to twist the knife, he should be forgiven and a line drawn under it and after his ban hopefully the whole sport cops on and the two bodies need to work together to ensure more respect for all riders. But the real leadership needs to come from the jocks, and the senior ones in particular. Respect to Bryony, but unfortunately it probably only came when she reached a breaking point. Sad to see this story come out, not a great time for the sport.

[@edgrimshaw379]

Case handled with professionalism ffs it was leaked to the media in detail

[@paulrillo1229]

BHA spiffing british justice for that whippersnapper irish man

[@patrickfarrell5092]

As a teenager I used to work on a racecourse (Fairyhouse) with my Dad during racemeetings.. The amount of abuse I heard from jockeys from around the 4th last was rather startling for my young ears so I asked my Dad about it, as he had spent his entire life with horses, jockeys, trainers etc and used to accompany the Irish horses to Cheltenham and around the country. Anyway, he always said the abuse was never personal, it was "nerves" or as we would say today the anxiety of riding in a crowded race where you could be in serious peril at any moment. He was right as you would see them all having a pint in Ryan's pub in Ratoath afterwards. I actually remember Nina Carberry screaming at her brother Paul coming around the bend for home, "get the fuck out of my way", afterwards they would be all pals again. This is national hunt racing, there's no other sport in the world like it for adrenaline pumping at it's highest level every day of the week. What bothers me here is that gentleman in the studio and most other pundits with opinions have zero experience of what it's like to be in that situation, this I find disturbing. Now what happened with Frost and Dunne without doubt should have been handled immediately, why some jockey didn't get them together is a mystery to me. I certainly don't condone anyone using the C word, I won't ever use it although some friends do quite often to describe some political and medical folk at present but I digress. I'm tempted to suggest that Ms Frost simply couldn't handle some of this abuse on the racecourse but obviously I can't be sure, but I've a feeling the tradition of national hunt racing has lost some of its raw emotion today, I hope the political correctness hasn't taken over. I know this is a long winded comment but I wanted to paint a life experience of what it was like to see those horses and jockeys thunder past in the muck of Fairyhouse all those years ago with the echo of jockeys screaming at eachother for at least a half mile out. Nothing like it. So when you read some "journalist" give his woke opinion or morals try to picture him or her in a novices chase with about 20 horses around with each jockey fighting for space.

[@tomtheeagle1]

What you do not seem to understand is that a lot of the abuse was not in the heat of battle. It was in the weighing room and even online. The behaviour of Dunne and many of his male colleagues is actually illegal and not allowed in any workplace in the UK and would get you fired from any half decent company. No sport is exempt from the law of the land.

[@drfell9105]

"I'm tempted to suggest that Ms Frost simply couldn't handle some of this abuse on the racecourse" Why should anyone have to handle abuse at their job? This whole situation has shown just how backwards horse racing is that speaking out against bullying is seen as worse than the actual bullying. In any other work place, Dunne would have been fired and never seen again but for someone reason bullying seems to be an integral part of horse racing. What a disgraceful sport it must be.

[@Formula1Madx]

@Patrick Farrell It's the *traditions* of NH racing that is the problem. Just because it's a culture that has been tolerated for decades doesn't make it right. Think about what your trying to defend here, someone being habitually bullied, harassed & subject to physical threat over a long period of time. No matter what job you do, you cannot be expected just to put up with such behaviour. Bryony has stood up for herself at a lot of personal cost, she never asked to be subjected to Mr Dunne's threatening behaviour & deserves to be respected for that.

[@MrCreamcracker15]

gobshite

[@patrickfarrell5092]

@@tomtheeagle1 correct me if I'm wrong here but didn't this all originate during the "heat of battle"? As I said this should have been dealt with at the outset, why it was allowed to escalate is the mystery to me. The loser in all of this is NH racing and to be branded "rancid" is an assault on anyone who loves the sport, and judging by the comments I alone have received I can imagine how everyone who has no understanding of it is about to jump onboard from their armchairs in order to destroy it.

[@pugmahone9439]

Unwelcome attention while trying to do your job, “ taking the piss”, ridiculing someone in front of others can be demeaning to the person targeted especially if you’re a female in a group of males. Banter or having fun at someone else’s expense is not funny especially if it’s unrelenting , laughing at someone isn’t the same as laughing with them and more seriously any form of bullying or threatening behaviour in any place of employment is grounds for dismissal . It seems like there needs to be a set of rules addressing harassment, bullying and intimidation in the racing industry as there are in every place of work . Not having separate facilities for female riders is ridiculous in this day and age considering the billions tied up in the racing industry, maybe Paddy Power could step up and fund a refurbishment in some of the more dilapidated jockey rooms and sauna areas etc. While it’s sad to see anyone being a target of unwanted attention it’s also very sad to see a family man lose his livelihood over an issue that could have been resolved earlier with certain lines of demarcation concerning rules and regulations.

[@suemaher5282]

Well said Pug

[@bea7484]

There are some errors in what you say - bullying and harassment would not necessarily be a reason for dismissal if training had never been given, and clear codes of conduct are not in place and if this is part of a behavioural culture, which it is. In addition, it would be compared with the behaviour of others. Here is an example, in full frontal, live on TV, Daryl Jacobs was seen violently threatening a young jockey, trainer Tom George's son, after unintentionally cutting up Aidan Coleman in a race at Cheltenham, and the latter jockey narrowly avoiding serious injury - no fuss was made, the young jockey apologised to Jacobs and Coleman and it was finished. I was shocked by Jacob's behaviour, but no fuss was made. Frost does similar and the death of a horse resulted. The difference Frost refuses to apologise when she gets a dressing down from Dunne for riding carelessly - which all jockeys have said is the norm and how they deal with such matters. Right or wrong, there is some arrogance in Frost's behaviour, which results in a long running feud between the two. Perhaps had Frost shown some humility and respect for the health and wellbeing of other riders this would never have happened. Someone talked to her about it, and she refuses to stand down, what happens? Ultimately, it results in this very horrid scenario. Frost should not have had to go through the sustained bullying attacks, but she could have done more to resolve the issue - she is not perfect despite the media making out she is. Further, she might be a good jockey, but at times she is careless and rides selfishly, evidenced by the fact that she has had a few suspensions for doing so - that means putting other riders and horses at risk! Further, what favours has she done herself by dragging innocent people into this. How would you feel if you were Tom Scudamore? and other jockeys? To me, this is very thoughtless and mean actions from her, and maybe a reflection of how she is on the track - and Tom, a decent fellow has had to deal with the negative press and so forth as a result. Is that right? Not in my books its not. If I was a jockey I would be with the other jockeys and would find it hard to talk to her, ever. she would have lost all my respect. This has clearly been career limiting for Dunne, and who knows what this is doing to his mental health - I hope we don't hear of some tragedy in the near future for the way the media are handling this and maligning the man - they never learn even following the death of Caroline Flack - Dunne has done wrong, but not without reason. and who are we to judge, faced with the same scenario hubris and arrogance, how might we react? I also think this will be career limiting for Frost - how will she be able to continue her career with this alienation from other jockeys and valets, and I understand many trainers are against her? It will do her mental health far more damage than what she suffered from Dunne. The alienation is very unlikely to disappear, there will be much bitterness for Frost for many years, when all she had to do was show a bit of humility and it would have nipped this sordid affair in the bud. She may very much live to regret her actions if a tragedy strikes, and I dearly hope that is not the case.

[@suemaher5282]

@@bea7484 intelligent comment Bea

[@stephenburke5967]

Mellish last week"I have no point of view on this matter"now you can't shut him up.Looks like the jockeys want away from the BHA with their Lords like appointees.

[@jimwhitmarsh2832]

Any professional sportsperson who is successful is always going to be shot down by those who are not getting the opportunities to win,sour grapes in my opinion.

[@garney9665]

If hes the spokesman for the pja god help horse racing

[@icanmix]

Well said Steve Mellish - the voice of reason. Firstly, the PJA heads need to go for trying to get the case closed & Bass needs to be ashamed for not giving any sympathy to Bryony - says it all really - still an old boys club.

[@laurabarber7438]

Oh dear, the "going forward" phrase used - twice! Very disappointing.

[@tonyfox6044]

Pointless interview with bass

[@anthonycross6262]

Not taking sides - obvious your are , code of conduct we will try and follow TRY there’s the issue and we all watch each other’s backs literally 🤔 unless your a female who’s taking food out of your mouths , should be ashamed Mr Bass and I’m sure you all had a Xmas party as well in lambourne 😱

[@MrSamo65]

the sport is going nuts .. its eating itself alive ... the woman is the darling of the media.. bang average jockey .. Robbie Dunne never had a chance .there is more to this

[@johnwheeler2040]

All senior jockey must be embarrass please dont tell me they didn't know blame facility joke

[@markreynolds224]

The facilities has nothing to do with dunne bullying and harrassing of Bryony Frost and until Bass and his male members of the weighing room stop then nothing will change. His comments that he knows dunne well but not frost is incredible when they would have shared a weighing room and raced together on many, many times and to blame everything instead of dunne on facilities and BHA proves that Bass is part of the see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" of the weighing room.

[@martynsmith8120]

The facilities have nothing to do with weighing room bullying. The culture needs to change. We are not in the 1970s!

[@darrenlee9081]

David bass comes across as a nice person, he's not someone that is going to solve the problem of bullying in the racing, all he was interested in was the weighing room facilities.

[@johnnyhatch9052]

Weedy David Bass. No support for Ms Frost, no condemnation of Dunne.

[@marcpage1925]

get off the fence as he has spoken total nonsense

[@bensouthwell1339]

These jockeys that give there three pennys worth as to how to treat fellow jockeys need to grow a pair. In all the industries I ever worked in if any one spoke or acted like Dunne towards a female or a youngster his teeth would be on the floor. For seasoned Jockeys to come out with the crap that they did at the inquiry deserves the full contempt the racing public are now showering upon them.

[@paulfoley1274]

Inarticulate, is being generous.

[@jcanyiam8309]

TOP TOP TOP Jockey SUPER FROST!!! (WHY IN THE HELL WOULD SHE HAVE MADE UP THE STORY) in the 1st place? Bryony Frost- Have made Robbie Dunne's ASS FAMOUS- I've NEVER even heard of a Jockey called Robbie Dunne- before this! Along with Racheal Blackmore, Bryony Frost is the SECOND MOST Successful Female Jump Jockey of all TIME. He's probably JEALOUS of Her Success and was TRYING to bring Her down to His level- Unfortunately, He was barking at the wrong tree, picking on Bryony. HE IS FINISHED AS A JOCKEY!!!

[@billynomate3699]

If you have never heard of Robbie dunne may i suggest greyhound racing maybe more suitable for you to follow,plum

[@benjaminhawkins4849]

It was disappointing to hear jockeys/valets bellyaching about being ‘dragged into it’, finding things ‘harrowing’ etc. Whatever profession you’re in you can only heighten standards by assisting independent review, that’s how progress is made. Comments about Frost’s riding ability bordered on ridiculous, she’s been riding at 17% for the last five years (equal to Sheehan but more prize money) and the champion trainer is more than happy to put her up. The jockey who is said to have ignored her (the one with the more famous riding father) appears to have under achieved in recent years - so maybe a tinge of professional jealousy there too.

[@bea7484]

Really, then why doesn't Rachel Blackmore face the same issues? Because she is a very nice humble woman, and if she makes a mistake she admits it, and apologises. When have you ever heard Frost say ' I could have given that a better ride' or apologise for an unintentional careless mistake, and there have been many. Never, she has no humility, arrogance will always get people's backs up. Not to say bullying is ever right because its not - but Frost is no angel!

[@benjaminhawkins4849]

@@bea7484 I can’t say I know either of them personally, but I’ve never seen anything to suggest Bryony Frost is arrogant

[@michaelkinahan1829]

That was pathetic from Bass. Reminded me of Trump when he came out with "There were good people on both sides". Making Dunne out to be a victim and blaming the BHA!!! If this is what PJA leadership is I don't hold out any hope for a correction in culture. He was a disgrace

[@cantbuyathrill1550]

David Bass is well out of his depth, talking bollocks 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@1414yorks]

@MIchael Kinahan Pathetic disgrace exactly toe curling embarrassing interview as well.No condemnation of Dunne or support of Frost the injured party.More worried about how the weighing room is perceived and the lack of womens facilities has absolutely nothing to do with bullying and harrassment or this interview and Bass is supposed to be one of the good guys of the weighing room!!

[@billynomate3699]

TDS at it's best,rent free ya sausage

[@waqarkhan25]

Horse racing is also the only sport that is co-sport

[@craig3420]

Bass is as weak as piss..just like the senior jockeys..if u see bullying u say something..not allow the bully to carry on

[@derekwallace3275]

Yt why did you delete my txt

[@martinafitzgerald6995]

Take a side.... either he was correct or he wasn't. He is a family man, he didn't like Frost and he had no problem throwing his spite about, in the weighing room. Things go on in every work place, most of us will experience some kind of bullying in our work lives. We do need standards to be kept high from the top down. Leadership is critical, how staff are treated, is the responsibility of all involved in horseracing.

[@mickeypip1524]

Cillian’s Well was killed allegedly by disrespectful and dangerous riding by Frost . Was Robbie Dunne expected to wish her all the best? One has to acknowledge that if we are to respect others then surely an obligation exists for each not to ride in a way which can cause injury? While Frost sees herself as a victim , one should equally see victimhood extending to Dunne...He was thrown from his horse by the thoughtless riding of Frost and while I do not condone bullying or foul language at all , Dunne lost his Horse , the Horse lost its life and the small trainer one from his stable and what was he supposed to say afterwards to Frost? Never mind : c’est la vie!? While he allegedly threatened to put her ‘over a wing ‘ isn’t THAT what she effectively did when she denied Cillian’s Well room and ACTUALLY caused a potential injury to Dunne? All is not black and white ...actions cause reactions.....

[@silvio4291]

I've watched the race video several times and I cannot see anything 'disrespectful' - whatever that means - or dangerous from Frost before Dunne's horse took a fatal fall.

[@mickeypip1524]

@@silvio4291 You have obviously been fitted with blinkers! If you want to join in with the grown-ups , get a dictionary to help you understand adverbs,Dunce!

[@jimwhitmarsh2832]

You are talking about one incident what I took from this is that there were many more attacks over a long period of time.

[@mickeypip1524]

@@jimwhitmarsh2832 That certainly is true , I admit ,but in life one’s personal resentment is often heightened by one’s personal experience of an individual. If you yourself had been the subject of selfish riding by another jockey and that jockey’s dangerous riding was also cause for common concern amongst other jockeys, then if that person chose not to alter her behaviour and take on board valid criticism , merely arrogantly challenging your concerns, then surely people are apt to approach that individual in a more hostile manner. We should learn from our mistakes and if one is seeking respect one should not have a closed mind , merely behaving in a petulant manner!

[@karenhenninger2920]

@@mickeypip1524 well, that says it all, prone to insults are you

[@hadleigh55]

Rabbit in headlights comes to mind...

[@christineparker7185]

David I'm umm gonna umm say my umm last name ummm now its umm Bass.... thank god he's a great jockey as he's buggered when given a microphone....

[@dhdavidholloway]

you know!!!

[@waqarkhan25]

Horse Racing is the only sport in the world that does not popular than other sports in the world

[@Formula1Madx]

The statements that the PJA released after the verdict are part the problem. Bryony didn't "feel" bullied she *WAS* bullied. How many of the PJA stood up for her? All they have provided is silence & denial. That's the rancid part. So yes, a rancid culture does exist. Their defensive attitude is part of the problem. The PJA's attitude shows it is not fit for purpose.

[@kevinward2751]

disgusted with the lack of support from other female jockeys who are propagating this mysoginist ic attitude towards themselves ffs!!! but he's a good family man says bass this attitude has to change Now!!! male jocks are living in the 60s and 70s still well iam sorry but that's outrageous bass and his cronies female also need to grow some balls and move into the present

[@tomleach1428]

@@kevinward2751 Grow some balls? Wow u might want too reword that 😂😂

[@kevinward2751]

Loop

[@kevinward2751]

😁

[@JoelMc97]

Maybe the jockeys aren’t standing up for her because they feel she’s a grown woman capable of solving her own problems rather than needing to be hand held. Or alternatively, and more likely in my view, they are in the weighing room every day and think he hasn’t done what he’s been accused of, as well as thinking the whole trial by media circus was grossly unfair.

[@rootsmasterade]

every comment by those on ITV racing Saturday after the verdict on that programme was bang out of order for not sticking up for Miss Frost and she's a better jockey than some of her male competitors as for the JPA they need to clean up their act firstly they had let down the best female jump jockey in England full stop and didn't go far off in insulting Bryony despicable ITV racing especially Mick Fitzgerald after what I see him do after one of the only races televised on a Saturday Channel Four racing he won a race eventually and what he was saying and acting towards the lass leading them back was disgraceful and nobody said nothing he did announce his retirement months later what a one Kerr even some of the females on that very show and they seem to generally enlarging cheats

[@jamesrichardson3500]

Can i go back to the 20th century please where a few hurty words weren't the focus on everything in society. Far more important things going on in the world and way too much attention given to this.

[@Carpetlay1]

I know David Bass is an intelligent person. Unusually for jockeys. However if you all stand by and allow a grown man to call a young girl a c ***. Then I’m afraid the culture is rancid and that’s putting it mildly. If Bryony was my sister Dunne wouldn’t have been riding horses ever again. He’s not a decent person. He’s a bully

[@tomleach1428]

Dunne obviously jealous of frost's success.. maybe the press do give her ABIT too much coverage but it's deserved...just look at last weekend winning on greenatean ... can't remember Robbie's last Saturday winner of substance tbh

[@mrmarkjwall]

If you felt that someone had caused your horse to die, what would you call the jockey that caused it ?

[@1414yorks]

@@mrmarkjwall If you watch the race not by any stretch could you blame Frost.Dunne is one of the Billy Big Bollocks in the weighing room and she challenged him so to keep up his macho persona he went after her.

[@mrmarkjwall]

@@1414yorks oh dear, how sad, never mind

[@adrianhudson1116]

Just basically sums up what a mess Jump Racing is in. It really is. A British season lasting 4 days. Only a few people jockeys earn any money. Its sad and will cause more and more problems in the weighing room

[@pauldonohoe3646]

Absolute disgrace what they've done to him. Pandering to the snowflake generation.

[@diesis]

David Bass poor sod had to come out here and produce a politician answer. At the end of the day at the time he couldn't side with anyone at the time. In hindsight the public opinion of which I am one sides with Bryony and that racing and its culture along with the unnecessary use of the whip needs to change. With regards the whip, look at every Saturday in NH where a horse is winning easily by 5 lengths and has half a furlong to go, does the jockey give the horse a crack of the whip almost always they do -why? and the industry wonders why the public has an issue - doh!

[@Spendarellaa]

Hasn’t been objective at all, shocking interview.

[@pgc8410]

No jockeys supported Frost. Says it all.

[@patricksmith3432]

Its a disgrace there all COWARDS

[@wardfowler6498]

When she won the King George V1 chase on boxing day, it was notable how Tony McCoy was " sour". virtually said anyone would have won on Frodon. Male jockeys dont like the ladies beating them. She is a great jockey. Would not be riding for a Premier stable like Paul Nicholls

[@bea7484]

@@wardfowler6498 what a load of bollocks - what about Rachel Blackmore - look at the praise she receives, a brilliant jockey with a great personality to go with it. Humble, respectful, everything that Frost is not! Perhaps if Frost had apologised after the initial careless riding spat this would never have got to where it is. But she refused, and repeatedly refused to stand down. Frost is no angel, she is arrogant and full of herslf, and that gets peoples backs up, hence why she has no friends in the weigh room and why not a single jockey was prepared to support her, besides the fact that they never saw or heard anything. it is all Frost's words.

[@wardfowler6498]

@@bea7484 Miss Frost is the most stylish rider in National Hunt racing. She gets horses running for her. Great personality and a brilliant rider . A breath of fresh air for the racing game. There won't be any jealous bully boy behaviour from any journeyman jockeys in the future. The recent hearing ruled in her favour and she won the day . Point proven . Game , set and match . Willie Mullins used her the other day . More than a match for Miss Blackmore. Stronger in a finish also.

[@suemaher5282]

@@wardfowler6498 U say it's the Male jockeys in the weighing room but no female jockey came forward to support her either. As for shes as gd as Rachel Blackmore u must be joking. It's sad for racing that every jockey is getting hammered for something that should have been nipped in the bud long before it got to this stage. Racing is their livelihoods how sad its shooting itself in the foot from the inside.

[@grahammccready2647]

Mr Mellish tking us all to church.

[@trevormeeks4084]

These people should try working in a factory all there life if everyone was sacked for swearing there would be no workforse

[@MrCreamcracker15]

any is bullying tolerated in these factories?

[@trevormeeks4084]

@@MrCreamcracker15 the trouble is that what was banter in my day is now classed as bullying .guys can't change their ways overnight don't punish all jockeys for one idiot.but 18months is a bit harsh they have now made him virtually unemployable perhaps they should have got them together and made him apologise to briany with a strict warning if it happens again he is sacked

[@trevormeeks4084]

Thi problem is easily solved keep the sexes seperate

[@mickeypip1524]

Bryony Frost obviously loves Frodon : quite rightly . But Cillian’s Well was probably well loved before he was killed...(maybe by a stable lass or lad ) through thoughtless , discourteous and RANCID bad riding You have to hand it to Bryony , she talks very well and Robbie Dunne could never match her courtroom histrionics ’. We are in Pantomime Season and such was this woke charade. The result was never in doubt ...it was a safe bet!

[@flower-ss2jt]

Bass is not taking sides? Yes you are, Mr Bass. The BHA have found Dunne guilty of bullying, and as chairman of the PJA it is up to you to ensure that no one else in your organisation either bullies ot colludes to hide bullying in the jockeys workplace.

[@johncarr3855]

They are happy to see horses killed regularly but take offence at the word rancid. Vile is.a.better.word.for anyone involved with racing.

[@garylakey5061]

Get Bryony Frost out of racing NOW!

[@bea7484]

I don't think she will be around for much longer somehow, 12 months and she will likely get a job at the racing post! They love her there.

[@mickeypip1524]

@@bea7484 she is also a darling of ITV racing ...suggest that nice Mr McCoy stands one side of the rostrum if she gets a job there... I am not a fan of McCoys either...his bottom lip is apt to curl before it comes to rest on his chest!

[@tomgallagher7870]

The simple facts are he has been found guilty on all counts by an independent panel.u either trust the process or u dont.so many things being brought up about her being asked to not go ahead with it by her father etc.its up to her to make that decision.alot off people have seen the so called bad ride she gave and the death off the horse.it was just an accident it happens.im not defending her but lets call a spade a spade tony keenan is right u just cant go around making them threats and calling someone what u want plus there was witnesses who heard him saying he would put her through a rail.best thing a lessser sentance and a anger management course as he has a short fuse.as for the weighing room ignoring her nowadays there not pissed off because dunne got found guilty there angry because the weighing room culture has been exposed.as for ap mccoy hes a legend but hes starting to look foolish and very petty.

[@hughjohn7778]

It's called banter and if bryony frost can't cope with that , then she needs to quit instead of trying to ruin Robbie dunnes career !!!

[@aleshastevens53]

What a load of crap !! She’s not trying to ruin his career he did that by himself !! He’s a bully end of

[@garylakey5061]

@@aleshastevens53 get a life

[@markselwyn7014]

No it's not banter. If those words had been used against your wife or daughter do you think that is acceptable? Banter is the weakest excuse of all. This behaviour is never acceptable in any work place. Bryony has taken this stand at a huge cost to herself. All I can say is well done girl!

[@aleshastevens53]

Gary lakey you get a life !!

[@Bubba-xh2xj]

Bryony is the pin-up girl of the Jockey Club. Dunne never had a chance #KangarooCourt

[@hughjohn7778]

Poor little bryony sitting at home laughing her tits off now

[@garylakey5061]

Well said world has gone mad!

[@MrCreamcracker15]

See he would've had a chance if he decided not to try bully and intimidate a young woman,

[@chrisweston7338]

She not even that pretty

[@garylakey5061]

@@chrisweston7338 looks like Mesut Ozil

[@tommyhughes2264]

Cannot condone any form of bullying, but you must admit that Bryony frost does come across as very irritating even annoying.

[@tomtheeagle1]

Not as irritating as your pointless comment.

[@tommyhughes2264]

@@tomtheeagle1 And your pointless reply.

[@tomtheeagle1]

@@tommyhughes2264 Jeez. I wasn't prepared for such rapier wit!

[@bea7484]

@@tomtheeagle1 No mate, he is absolutely right - the irritating comment is coming from you. Frost is arrogant, disrespectful and full of herself. If she had an ounce of humility in her blood this situation would never have happened.

[@tomtheeagle1]

@@bea7484 I am so pleased I irritated you. That has made my day.

[@ascott6328]

Good effort David Bass

[@ascott6328]

Dunne had no chance, the BHA is now full on woke, look sideways at a girl your career is over. Disciplinary hearing every time a girl gets upset. Bryony is a trouble maker.

[@tomtheeagle1]

Really!? The BHA is woke. I wish they were.

[@kepnjem]

Really? I'm sure Dunne would love to be a Nicholls' stable jockey.

[@MrCreamcracker15]

If anyone one rules in favour of a woman these daze theyre accused of being woke, says a lot about the people making these accusations

[@trevormeeks4084]

Every sport women have got involved in they have ruined it just look at football commentating

[@tomtheeagle1]

You illustrate the problem perfectly and it's dinosaurs like you! You probably wish it was all still broadcast in black and white .

[@michaelkinahan1829]

@@tomtheeagle1 and like the rest of the dinosaurs and knuckle draggers he will face extinction.... thankfully.

[@hughjohn7778]

Woke fckers will become eventually become extinct

[@michaelkinahan1829]

@@hughjohn7778 😂😂 it's not woke to stand up to bullies ya big thick

[@tomtheeagle1]

@@hughjohn7778 Would you like to try that again in English?