Spinal surgery for son of famous racing family after race fall

Apprentice jockey Tom Prebble has had spinal surgery at The Alfred hospital after a heavy race fall at Warrnambool on Tuesday.

Prebble, the 23-year-old son of jockey parents Brett Prebble and Maree Payne, came crashing to the turf about 700 metres from the finish line in the last race of the afternoon at the country Victoria ciruit.

His mount, the Andrew Bobbin-trained Pulveriser, had been travelling second last in a field of 11 when it appeared to clip heels with the horse in front of it and fell.

The Victorian Jockeys’ Association released a statement on Wednesday, saying: “Thomas Prebble has undergone spinal surgery at The Alfred hospital.

“He is being supported by medical and nursing staff. His condition will be monitored.

“The family would like to thank everyone for their messages of support, checking on Thomas and his wellbeing. It is greatly appreciated.

“In order for the family to devote their time and energy to provide as much support as they can to Thomas it is kindly requested that their privacy be respected.”

Prebble was treated by paramedics at the Warrnambool track about 5pm on Tuesday before being flown by Ambulance Victoria to The Alfred in a serious condition.

Pulveriser, a six-year-gelding, suffered only minor lacerations from the fall. Racing Victoria stewards are investigating the cause of the incident.

Just two months ago, Prebble stamped himself as a rider of the future by taking out the rising star series for Victorian apprentices, finishing ahead of Rose Hammond and Sarah Field.

But his biggest day at the track came at Flemington a month earlier when he rode a treble at the famous racecourse – two of those three winners were on horses trained by his uncle and aunt, Patrick and Michelle Payne.

“That was easily the best day I’ve had at the track,” Prebble told Racing.com. “I was so happy to win for Patrick and Michelle. Them being family, I wanted to do right by them.”

Michelle Payne said on the day her nephew was a “very good” rider and “race smart”.

“You either have that or you really don’t. Confidence is a big thing for him, and we will continue to give him the opportunities,” the 2015 Melbourne Cup-winning rider said.

Prebble’s father, Brett, won a Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup and spent several successful years riding in Hong Kong. His mother, Maree Payne, was also a successful jockey.

While Brett retired last year, the father and son had been riding track work together recently at Dan Meagher’s stable.

“We enjoy riding horses, we both love the horse, and doing it together with your son is pretty enjoyable,” Brett told Racing.com.

“It’s a really tough and dangerous industry. I don’t think any parent really wishes for their son to be a jockey, but he made his mind up, and he was very determined and keen to do it.

“Once he made his mind up, I was more than happy to support him and give him as much guidance as we can.”

Prebble started his apprenticeship with Peter Moody and Catherine Coleman at Pakenham before transferring to his uncle and aunt at Plumpton.

After making his debut at Geelong in November 2022, he rode his first winner a month later at Mornington on the Rob Blacker-trained mare Scientific.

Since then, he had ridden 123 winners from 1125 rides at a strike rate of 11 per cent, including the biggest win of his career on 70-1 shot Title Fighter in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington in May.

He did not start riding regularly until he was 18.

“I did every other sport in Hong Kong,” he told Racing.com.

“Mum and Dad kept me away from racing at first because they knew how tough it is.

“But once I started watching Dad race in Australia, I got the passion for it.”

Tom said he was always being asked about “my breeding”.

“If I could be half as good as Dad, or Patrick, or Michelle, I’d be happy,” he said.

“But I am pretty happy with how far I’ve come.”

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