The son of legendary Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Brett Prebble has shared a devastating update after undergoing major surgery on his spine.
Apprentice jockey Tom Prebble was injured in a race fall at Warrnambool last week when his mount Pulveriser appeared to clip heels about 700 metres from the finish line.
Prebble was flown to The Alfred Hospital for surgery and was transferred to the ICU at the Austin Hospital on Monday.
‘My key injury is to my spinal cord. At the moment, I’ve got nothing happening from the bottom of my rib cage down through my body, currently no feeling or movement,’ Prebble said.
‘I know there’s been a mountain of concern and care about where I’m at and I’m very appreciative of that. I’m happy to make it as clear as I can where things have landed one week in.
‘My doctors say it’s now a waiting game over the coming weeks and months to see where things land. The message is very clear, to remain fully optimistic regarding improvement but also be realistic and that there are a full range of possible outcomes from this injury.’
Tom Prebble shared shocking news after his spine was operated on this week following a race fall last Tuesday
The 23-year-old was a rising star in Victoria and rode a treble at Flemington this year
The 23-year-old is in the ICU at the Austin Hospital to begin a multi-week stay in the spinal care ward.
Prebble fractured his spine at T5, requiring surgery to stabilise it, and will be in a neck brace for at least three months.
He also suffered rib fractures and a minor lung-related issue which will heal quickly, along with some damage to his teeth.
Tom Prebble is the son of Brett, who rode more than 1200 winners including famously winning the 2012 Melbourne Cup on Green Moon for Lloyd Williams.
Tom was apprenticed to his uncle and aunt, training duo Patrick and Michelle Payne, at the time of the fall.
He was a rising star among young jockeys, and rode a treble at Flemington this year.
Tom thanked his supporters including father Brett and mum Maree.
‘I’m blessed to have two of the best parents and sister anyone could wish for and they’ve got me through this first week,’ he said.
Tom Prebble’s father Brett (centre) rode Green Moon to victory in the Melbourne Cup in 2012
‘I’m so grateful to them for their love and support. That thanks goes out to everyone who has expressed their best wishes and concerns for me.
‘It means the world to know so many people are behind me in my recovery and I know it will be a big help to me during the tough times in the weeks and months ahead.’
Dual Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Mark Zahra paid tribute to Tom.
‘I just wanted to say on behalf of the jockeys to Tommy Prebble and his family, we are all thinking of him,’ Zahra said.
‘It hurts us all and times like this the racing industry really gets around them, especially jockeys and if there is anything they need, we are all there for him and wish him all the best.’
Another jockey, Blake Spriggs, who himself was forced into retirement due to a fall, reached out to Prebble and told him he can call him any time he wants.
‘Whilst our injuries weren’t the same, the importance of staying positive is and I’ve taken the long path to recovery which looked impossible at first but just keep focused on the little positives each day and taking the little wins and you’ll keep improving,’ Spriggs wrote to Prebble.
Racing Victoria stewards are still investigating the cause of Prebble’s fall.