Staying positive: Freddy Tylicki deals with the ups and downs after horror fall

An impromptu appeal set up by racing broadcaster Matt Chapman raised £330,000 for German-born Tylicki who became champion apprentice in 2009 when attached to the yard of Malton trainer Richard Fahey.

And the 30-year-old spoke philosophically about racing’s inherent risks as he continues his recovery at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre in Stanmore.

Crushed in a four-horse pile-up at Kempton on October 31, medics at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, battled to save Tylicki’s life before confirming that he had sustained a T7 paralysis which means no movement in the lower half of his body.

“You’ve got good days and bad days, but at the moment I’m taking every day as it comes,” he told Radio 5 live presenter Adrian Chiles. “For me, that’s the best way to handle the situation.

“There’s always someone worse than you. You’ve just got to do the best you can out of the situation. Staying positive is the main thing. It can be hard sometimes and easier other days. You’ve just got to learn how to deal with it.”

Tylicki admitted he has not yet seen a replay of the incident when his mount Nellie Deen fell.

“A few of my colleagues have watched the fall, I haven’t myself,” said Tylicki, whose breakthrough success came when winning York’s John Smith’s Cup on Flying Clarets in 2008.

“They were saying I’m actually very lucky to be here. There’s no point for me to watch it. I was there, that’s enough. I do remember everything. Unfortunately, that’s racing, in a way. The first time I woke up after the operation I was lying in bed and I knew I couldn’t feel anything.

“That’s when I knew I was in trouble. Shortly after that, the doctor filled me in on what happened – the injuries I’d received. I just had to get cracking from then on.

“I’m living my life day to day. The immune system is very low and infections can happen easily, but I’m concentrating on my rehab and physio.”

Tylicki had last year been an emerging force in the weighing room, having claimed a first Group One victory aboard the James Fanshawe-trained Speedy Boarding at Deauville in the summer. He then secured a second top-level Flat triumph when the same filly won the Prix de l’Opera on Arc weekend at Chantilly in October.

“I was born to do it,” he said. “My father was a very, very good jockey and from a very young age I decided to go down that route.

“I saw the ups and downs and the toughness of the job, but from around 12 years of age I knew I was going to be a jockey.

“On the Flat you’re going at great speed so when you do get a fall it’s always, ‘How bad is it?’, and this time I didn’t get away with it.

“Accidents do happen in racing. It’s a risky sport and you’re aware of it as a jockey, but you don’t think about it. Things can happen.

“When you’ve won on a few horses that absolutely took off with you – there’s nothing better than that. I’m glad I’ve experienced that.”

Tylicki’s spirits have been boosted by the support of his family and friends.

He’s drawn particular strength from his sister Madeleine’s success as a trainer – her very first winner came less than a month after Tylicki’s fall when First To Boogie prevailed at Punchestown.

The horse is owned by her partner Andrew Kinirons, who spent his riding career in West Yorkshire with Sue and Harvey Smith.

“The support I’ve been getting is tremendous and unbelievable,” added Tylicki. “I don’t quite know how to thank everyone. It’s been absolutely amazing.”

COMMENT: page 12