British jockey Freddy Tylicki has been paralysed in the lower half of his body
British jockey Freddy Tylicki is paralysed in the lower half of his body, the Injured Jockeys Fund has confirmed.
Tylicki, who was involved in a multiple horse fall at Kempton last Monday, suffered a T7 paralysis and the IJF said he only had movement in the upper half of his body.
“After his fall at Kempton Park earlier this week, Freddy Tylicki was transferred to St George’s Hospital in London, where he has since undergone surgery to his spine,” an IJF statement said.
“His surgical team have confirmed that Freddy has a T7 paralysis, which means he has movement in the upper half of his body but not his lower.”
.Tylicki had this year been an emerging force, claiming his first Group One victory aboard Speedy Boarding at Deauville in August.
He then added another when the same filly won the Prix de l’Opera on Arc weekend at Chantilly in October.
Tylicki was named champion apprentice jockey in 2009 and counted the John Smith’s Cup at York amongst his other previous big-race victories.
Born in Germany – his father was a three-times champion jockey in his homeland – Tylicki moved to Ireland with his family as a 14-year-old.
His first significant role in racing was as an apprentice to Irish trainer Dermot Weld and then Jim Bolger.
In 2008, the rider moved to North Yorkshire and was apprenticed to Richard Fahey.
In 2014, the jockey decided to launch a freelance career in Newmarket and had this season made the breakthrough into the higher echelons of the sport, having developed a strong bond with Speedy Boarding’s trainer James Fanshawe.
“Freddy has been a major part of the team,” Fanshawe said.
“I felt this season he had a real breakthrough, riding two Group One winners and a Group Two in France.
“He had just started to get a name for himself as a big-race jockey and was in demand for outside rides.
“He has really battled back from being champion apprentice and having an injury after that. He has always been very hungry and this year everything had really started to fall into place.
“Freddy has a tremendous character and this will help him with the battle ahead. We will endeavour to do whatever we can to help him, his sister Madeleine and his mum Irene.”
