The firm was founded in 1804 by a Mr. Stephenson who later went into partnership with a Mr.B Frost. Following over 100 years of history in 1928 Mr. Tom Frost, the son of Mr.B Frost took over from his father. The name T Frost (Bawtry) remains to this day.

Mr. T Frost, left, with his manager, Mr. Marrison, (Yorkshire Illustrated February 1952)

During the 1940's and 50's T Frost (Bawtry) gained international acclaim under the guidance of Tom, this is evidenced by the mass of news articles in the companies archives, the following are extracts from news articles during this time;

“Making "everything for a horse," as well as owners' colours for steeple­chase and flat-racing, the firm deals ­with orders from all over the world.

Such famous racing names as the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk, Lord Derby, the Aga Khan and his family, and Lord Lovat are among those for whom Mr. Frost works. He has, and still does, work directly and indirectly for the Royal household.

15 “National” winners

Up to now, Mr. Frost has made the equipment for 15 Grand National winners, and this year made the two pound saddle which Major G. A. Cunard used when he won the Fox­hunters' Steeplechase at Liverpool this year.”

(Yorkshire Evening Post, June 24 th 1948)

The bridle department, 1952

The saddle department, 1952 (above)

(Sowing (left) and cutting out the silks (right) County Life 14th May 1953)

Finished racing silks

“There is not a country in the world that does not know the name T. Frost, Bawtry," and the highest commendations if their workmanship are re­flected in the flow of repeat orders from overseas.

(Tom Duffield –Yorkshire Life June 1952)

 

"During the war, we under took quite a lot of Government contract work, manufacturing leather horse goods and equipment such as straps for tanks for the Ministry of Supply Roughly, this year, so far about a thousand pounds worth of our goods have gone over seas. and there are quite a number of orders on hand.

We receive buyers from all over the world-from Australia, Kenya, Baltimore, Salisbury, Rhodesia, Palestine, Egypt, the British West Indies among many countries, and we are sending quite a lot of racing equipment to the BOAR troops.

"Indirectly we supply saddlery to the King's trainers and about a year ago' we completed an order for Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Abyssinia.” 

(Retford & Gainsborough Times, October 1 st 1948)

“Amongst their customers are Kings trainers, Mr. Boyd Rochfort and Murless; Norman Bertie, trainer for the Princess Royal, and Sir Victor Sassoon; several noted French owners, including Mr. Boussac, who has scooped the board in classic racing in the recent seasons; the Duchess of Norfolk; and the Emperor of Abyssinia, for whom racing saddles have been made for the Royal stables in Ethiopia.

(Worksop and Retford Times, October 1950)

Neasham Belle after winning The Oaks in 1951 wearing T Frost silks and equipment.

Thomas Frost passed away in 1953, shortly after these photo's were taken. For 15 years following his death, his wife Mrs Blanche Frost ran the business until her late 70's. In 1968, by some quirk of fate, the business was brought by a Mr Stephenson, the same surname as the founder in 1804, even though the business retained its T Frost (Bawtry) name.

Some years later the business spent a brief period under the ownership of Gibson Saddlers, still based in Newmarket. Since then the business has been based at the premises in Bawtry, maitaining the high level of service and workmanship that has come to be expected from the T Frost name.

In 1985 Alan and his wife Brenda brought the business back off Gibsons.  Alan had worked in the business as general manager for a number of years and continued to supply the horse racing industry with bespoke items and quality craftsmanship.

In 2000 the business came into the ownership of Barrie and Perle Hunter, the business relocated but retained the T Frost (Bawtry) name. The Hunters who continued to provide the excellent standards of service expected from the T Frost name, sold the business in 2006.

In January 2006 the business was brought by its current owners, Bill and Tom Eastwood.