Paralysed rider says doesn't regret becoming jockey

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February 7, 2017 11:24 AM

German-born Tylicki was badly injured in the incident at Kempton Park, southwest of London, in October.

Champion jockey Jim Crowley (pictured (C) on Merry Me in 2015) was brought down along with German-born Freddy Tylicki and two other jockeys in a four-horse pile-up at Kempton Park in October 2016

Freddy Tylicki says he has no regrets about becoming a jockey despite being paralysed from the waist down following a horrific four-horse pile-up last year.

German-born Tylicki, who is based in England and had two Group One wins in a breakthrough 2016, was badly injured in the incident at Kempton Park, southwest of London, in October.

The 30-year-old had been leading on Nellie Deen when they came to grief, with champion jockey Jim Crowley being brought down along with two other jockeys.

Tylicki, son of a three-time German champion jockey, spent a fortnight in intensive care before leaving hospital in December.

"I was born to do it. My father was a very, very good jockey and from a very young age I decided to go down that route," he told the BBC on Tuesday.

"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.

"I think if you ask any Flat jockey they'd agree the jump jockeys are much braver than us Flat lads -- one in every 10 rides is a fall. They're much, much tougher.

"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."

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