The racing world has united in support of seriously injured jockey Freddy Tylicki.
Freddy was paralysed after a fall at Kempton on Monday last week (31 October).
The 30-year-old rider was airlifted to hospital after a four-horse pile-up in a low-grade mile contest at the all-weather fixture.
His mount Nellie Deen clipped heels, fell, and brought down others.
On Friday (4 November) it was confirmed that Freddy had suffered a T7 paralysis and has no lower body movement.
Donations to a fundraising page for the jockey (www.gofundme.com/freddie-tylicki) has now exceed £200,000. The page was set up by TV racing presenter Matt Chapman and those who have donated include champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls, who handed over some of his winnings at Wincanton on Saturday.
“It’s a reminder that racing is dangerous, under any code,” said Paul.
Bill Gredley, influential racehorse owner of last week’s Melbourne Cup contender Big Orange and father of showjumper Tim Gredley, has donated £20,000 to the cause and bookmakers William Hill £10,000.
Matt said: “The response has, of course, been incredible and the money raised is more than I could ever imagine. Having said that, the racing community is a strong and great one. It’s an industry that looks after its own, so maybe I shouldn’t have been quite as overwhelmed as I am. The important thing now is that people don’t think we have enough funds. In this situation there will never be enough.”
A fall on the Flat is often more damaging than over jumps, because of the speed and lack of expectation involved.
German-born Freddy, the champion apprentice of 2009, had rebuilt his career after breaking his shoulder in another bad accident.This season he had made the Group 1 breakthrough on the James Fanshawe-trained filly Speedy Boarding, twice a winner at the top level in France.
Fanshawe believes that Tylicki has the strength of mind to face his uncertain future.
“You wouldn’t meet a nicer fellow,” he said, “but Freddy is tough and underneath the smile there is steel. Looking ahead, that will stand him in good stead.”
On Friday, the Injured Jockeys Fund’s chief executive Lisa Hancock said Freddy remained in intensive care.
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“Freddy is not receiving any visitors for the foreseeable future,” she said.
“His family would like to thank the St George’s staff for the care he has received.
“As this is a very difficult time for Freddy and his family, they would like to thank everyone for their good wishes, and for continuing to respect their privacy.”
