Freddy Tylicki is optimistic that Ambiente Friendly will be able to provide a compelling picture of himself and defend his belief in the Betfred Derby at Epsom.
After seeing the colt several times, Tylicki—who is now a well-known bloodstock agent in addition to his work as a television pundit—became impressed and encouraged the Gredley family to purchase him at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale last year for 80,000 guineas.
After winning the Lingfield Derby Trial by a margin of four and a half lengths and finishing second to Ancient Wisdom, whom he will face again on Saturday, in the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Newmarket, Ambiente Friendly is a 6-1 shot with the sponsors for the top Classic.
Before suffering a career-ending fall at Kempton in 2016 that left him severely crippled, Tylicki was a stable jockey for trainer James Fanshawe. Together, the two had several elite victories, the most notable of which being dual Group One champion Speedy Boarding.
The son of Gleneagles has improved his travel this season and, should Ambiente Friendly win a major race on the Surrey Downs, Tylicki would have achieved a dramatic victory.
Tylicki told Tattersalls: “The day before the breeze up I met Mr (Bill) Gredley and he said to me ‘Try and find me a nice stayer’, he didn’t want a speedy type. So off I went and did my homework and came across this fella. I watched him pre-breeze and he got a tick off me on the page. Then I watched him in the breeze, and he was straight as a gun barrel. When I went to see him afterwards, there was just something about him. His whole physique, presence, honesty in his eyes, just everything clicked for me, and I actually went to see him four times altogether. To cut a long story short, he was the one I really wanted so I said to Mr Gredley ‘try and buy this fella’, and luckily he did. I wouldn’t swap him for anything. If I could ride him, I would love to swing my leg around him. I think he’ll go around Tattenham Corner like an absolute superstar. The way he travelled at Lingfield around that bend, nine out of 10 times when they handle that bend, they’ll handle Epsom. If he switches off in the early stages – which I think he will because he has grown up so much and improving so much – I think he’ll have a great chance!”