Tom Prebble, 23, son of former Melbourne Cup-winning rider Brett Prebble. Right now he’s in the middle of a painful recuperation after major spinal surgery last September. Following a traumatic autumn, Prebble was completely paralyzed from the T4 down. He has now moved from the spinal care unit at Austin Hospital into the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre in Kew. Whatever the outcome, his resolve is evident as he hopes to be back home by year’s end.
Prebble’s earnest quest has earned widespread support and admiration from the global racing community. Recently, champion jockey James McDonald paid him a visit, an act that brought tears to the eyes of anyone who witnessed it. One fan described the visit as “Brilliant…so, so special and such a selfless gesture.” As a kid, McDonald idolized legendary Aussie jockey Brett Prebble. Now, he is a hero in the sport himself, capturing the prestigious Cox Plate for the fourth straight time.
They celebrated that Cox Plate win on the night, but there was bittersweet across that success. The race is leaving Moonee Valley due to redevelopment plans, so this win is a bittersweet victory. Nonetheless, McDonald expressed hope for next year’s event, stating, “I just hope I’m on as good a mare as I was today.”
Tom Prebble – Matt Hyland, chief executive of the Victorian Jockeys Association, on what happened to Tom. One to look out for Overall though, we’re encouraged to hear him say this. He noted, “Speaking with Tom, he has advised that four weeks on from his fall, he has no feeling or sensation below the T4 level of his spine.” This chilling account drives home the seriousness of Prebble’s condition and the long journey he has ahead in his recovery process.
Brett Prebble and his family have been wonderful crutches for Tom’s family during this difficult chapter. None has been more important than his mom Maree who comes from the legendary Payne athletic family. Together, they show the close-knit nature of the racing community and the unbreakable ties that bring them home – particularly in the face of adversity.
