In a powerful display of courage and determination, a young jockey left paralysed after a catastrophic racing fall has returned to the saddle. Tom Prebble, a 23-year-old rising star in Australian horse racing, has been filmed riding a horse once more, just months after an accident that rendered him a paraplegic.
The Life-Changing Fall at Warrnambool
The incident that changed Prebble's life occurred in September last year at the Warrnambool racecourse in Victoria, Australia. Riding a horse named Pulveriser, Prebble was thrown from the saddle when his mount fell approximately three and a half furlongs from the finish line. The jockey sustained severe mid to upper body injuries and required airlifting to hospital, while the horse escaped with only a minor elbow laceration.
In a subsequent statement, Prebble revealed the devastating extent of his injuries, centred on his 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," he explained. His medical team advised a cautious approach, describing recovery as a "waiting game" with a range of possible outcomes.
A Complete Spinal Cord Injury Confirmed
By November, a more definitive prognosis was shared on his fundraising page. Doctors confirmed Tom Prebble as a 'complete ASIA A paraplegic at T4 level'. This medical classification means he has lost all sensory and motor function below the T4 vertebra in his spine, resulting in paralysis of his trunk and legs. The injury is termed "complete" because no signals pass through the damaged area, though arm function is preserved.
Despite this daunting diagnosis, the young jockey's spirit remained unbroken. A fundraising campaign, which has raised nearly £300,000, was established to help explore advanced treatments and support his ongoing needs.
An 'Amazing' Return to the Saddle
The most recent and inspiring chapter in his story came via a video shared by his aunt, former jockey and now trainer Michelle Payne. The footage shows Prebble back on horseback, an incredible feat given his physical condition. Payne, a Melbourne Cup winner herself, expressed her admiration in a social media post.
"Just four months and the strength you have without core is amazing," she wrote. "You are a credit to yourself and so glad to see you trying to find passions you can enjoy. Hopefully we can find a sport, job and activities you can enjoy."
Tom Prebble comes from a distinguished racing family. He is the son of Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Brett Prebble, and his aunts include champion riders Michelle Payne and Kerrin McEvoy. Before his accident, he had already notched up 123 winners and was widely regarded as a talent with a bright future in the sport.
His journey from a devastating spinal cord injury to climbing back onto a horse serves as a profound testament to human resilience, offering hope and inspiration far beyond the world of horse racing.
