Apprentice jockey speaks from wheelchair after life-changing fall, ‘I’m not dirty on racing’

Apprentice jockey Tom Prebble has spoken bravely about his life-changing race fall in September at Warrnambool.

Appearing on Channel 9 at Flemington alongside his father Brett, a former Melbourne Cup winning jockey, the 23-year-old showed tremendous composure as he confirmed severe spinal injuries have left him a paraplegic.

“From here down I can’t feel anything,” Prebble said from a wheelchair as he pointed to the middle of his chest.

“I’m T4/T5 ‘complete’, there’s no sensation and it’s been two months now.”

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‘He went head first—and so did I’ recalls Tom Prebble

Prebble, who is also the nephew of 2015 Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne, went on to recount the life-changing moment at Warrnambool with remarkable grace, refusing to blame anyone for what happened.

“It was no fault of anyone’s, the horse (Pulveriser, which sustained only a laceration) just had a stumble, it was a wet track and he went head first—and so did I,” he said.

“From then on I couldn’t feel anything below my chest level.

“I wasn’t really sure what had happened (when I first woke up), there was a lot of emotion, I was planning on being back riding next month but unfortunately that wasn’t the case.”

Prebble’s father Brett confirmed the road towards recovery will be long and uncertain.

“Tom had a nasty fall, we need to put things in place for him so he can have the best outcome and a fulfilling life,” he said.

“In his riding career I’ve seen his determination, his dedication and the way he conducts himself, and anyone who’s met him, he touches their hearts.”

As for Tom’s own thoughts on the future?

“I still have a little bit of hope in me to recover, but that’s dwindling away day by day unfortunately,” he said.

“I’m not dirty on racing, I’d love to still be a part of it, there’s horses I love, there’s trainers I love to cheer for.

“But at the moment I’m not home yet, I’m still taking everything day by day, I’m not even thinking about next week to be honest.”

To help with Prebble’s ongoing treatment and recovery a GoFundMe page has been launched.