Tylicki is counting blessings on return to saddle

It was at York, his local track, at the prestigious Dante meeting, with the victorious horse carrying the red and green colours of the racecourse’s chairman, Nicholas Wrigley.

However, this is only part of the story. The horse was trained by Tylicki’s boss, Richard Fahey. And, in a thrilling duel, the German-born rider outbattled man of the moment Paul Hanagan, the reigning champion jockey.

Personal satisfaction aside, it signalled to racegoers – and all those devotees watching on Channel Four – that this most likeable of riders was back to his best after a shattering injury brought his career to a shuddering stop.

A year ago, Tylicki was flying. He was one of the North’s most sought-after riders – buoyed by the confidence of becoming the 2009 champion apprentice after securing the title on the penultimate day of the season following a protracted tussle with David Probert.

Then calamity struck while riding Sea of Leaves in a seemingly innocuous five-furlong sprint at Musselburgh on Derby day 12 months ago.

As Ryan Moore was bursting clear on Workforce to land Flat racing’s blue riband race, Tylicki was being loaded into an ambulance after shattering his left shoulder.

He is the first to admit that it has been a challenging year that, he believes, has now turned the corner after his confidence-boosting victory aboard Common Touch.

“I remember the fall. It was June 5, I clipped heels with the horse in front and was unseated,” he told the Yorkshire Post.

“I landed on my left shoulder. Ouch! It doesn’t happen too many times given the speed we race at, but when it does, you either get away with it – or you don’t.

“I broke the top of my shoulder, but the bigger problem was that I had pulled all the muscles and ligaments out of place.”

As well as having three pins inserted in his shoulder, there was only one cure – rest and painful hours of physiotherapy under Cambridge-based Kevin Hunt.

“To be honest, it was not the end of the world,” explained Tylicki.

“There are a lot of people out there who are a lot worse off than me – you only have to look at National Hunt jockeys like Peter Toole, Richard Hawkins and Isabel Tompsett, who are seriously ill in hospital with head injuries.

“I was able to stay at my Mum’s and do all the things that you can’t do when you’re racing flat out seven days a week, and spending your spare time travelling. Like watching Germany beat England in the World Cup!”

There is a touch of mischief in the jockey’s voice – but he is used to being on the receiving end of the banter.

When he was riding out at Fahey’s all-conquering Flat stables ahead of the 2011 campaign, the trainer told photographers that Tylicki’s horse would be easy to spot on the horizon because the jockey always wore the most colourful attire.

In the tack room prior to the early morning gallop on a sun-kissed March day, the conversation revolved around the German – even though this was the morning when Wootton Bassett, the stable’s equine talisman, was stepping up his work after a slight setback.

Yet it was a very different room to the one that Tylicki left when he realised that his 2010 campaign had been cut short in its infancy.

He will have noticed Lee Topliss, the next in a long line of young jockeys being astutely nurtured by Fahey.

And then he will have seen the quiet figure of Paul Hanagan, the 2010 champion jockey who is refusing to allow his success to change his mindset – or personality.

With 48 winners to his name, Hanagan is already on course to defend his title – and also retain his status as the Cock o’ the North, the accolade that is presented to the North’s most successful Flat rider.

Backed by ‘Racing For Change’ in conjunction with the Yorkshire Post and Professional Jockeys’ Association, it is an incentive for Northern riders who have had to play, until Hanagan’s breakthrough, second fiddle to their rivals based at Newmarket.

While Tylicki’s 11 winners this season means that he will not be challenging for the honour, he remains fully aware of the journey still ahead of him.

“Paul sets a prime example for all the lads,” said Tylicki, who believes Van Go Go, sixth in Wednesday’s Hilary Needler Trophy at Beverley, will be winning races later this season.

“He’s a family man, down to earth and hard-working – the three qualities you need. He’s made it to the top and, fair play, he’s the man to beat and it was nice to do just that at York!

“I’m happy. I’m having a much better year than last year. I started riding out in December and was back on the all-weather in February, but it takes time to re-establish yourself.

“The past counts for little. You have to prove yourself all over again and that’s what I’m doing with Mr Fahey and when riding for people like Michael Dods.”

In action at Pontefract tonight and Catterick tomorrow, Tylicki is looking to accumulate winners after bursting on the scene when winning the 49th renewal of the John Smith’s Cup at York on Flying Clarets in 2008.

His supporters include Jim McGrath, the Channel Four pundit, who has horses in training with Fahey. He says the rider’s smiling demeanour masks a fierce determination to win.

“It’s hard,” adds Tylicki. “But I’m the lucky one. At least I’ve got another chance. Others are not so fortunate, and that’s what you have to keep telling yourself.”