When a young jockey takes a fall, the racing world holds its breath. For Tom Prebble, that fall at Warrnambool in September 2025 changed everything.
Age at injury: 23 ·
Date of fall: September 2025 ·
Injury type: Spinal cord injury ·
Condition update (October 2025): No improvement
Quick snapshot
- Fall at Warrnambool races in September 2025 (Racing.com (Australia’s official racing news site))
- Spinal cord injury, T5 fracture, ASIA A paraplegia at T4 level (Racing.com)
- Wheelchair-bound with no improvement as of October 2025 (Racing Victoria (state racing authority))
- Long-term prognosis for spinal cord recovery
- Whether Tom will pursue assisted dying via Dignitas
- Full details of ongoing rehabilitation plan
- September 2025: Fall at Warrnambool, spinal surgery at The Alfred
- October 8, 2025: VJA confirms no improvement
- October 31, 2025: Tom discusses Dignitas in interview
- Intensive rehabilitation at Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre
- Family and racing community support ongoing
- No final decision on Dignitas
Eight key facts about Tom Prebble’s case, one pattern: a sudden, severe spinal injury with no neurological recovery reported so far.
The facts in the table below map his personal details to the core event.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Tom Prebble |
| Profession | Apprentice jockey |
| Date of injury | September 2025 |
| Injury type | Spinal cord injury |
| Current mobility | Wheelchair |
| Mother | Maree Payne |
| Father | Brett Prebble |
| Notable relative | Michelle Payne (aunt) |
The pattern is clear: a young athlete’s entire life redefined by a single moment on the track.
What happened to the jockey Tom Prebble?
The fall at Warrnambool
- On September 9, 2025, during Race 8 at Warrnambool, Tom Prebble was dislodged from his horse Pulveriser near the 700-metre mark (Racing.com).
- He was conscious when taken to Warrnambool Hospital, then airlifted to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne (Racing.com).
- Surgeons operated to stabilise a T5 spine fracture; he also sustained a neck fracture (requiring a brace for three months), rib fractures, minor lung issues, and dental damage (Racing.com).
Immediate medical response
- By September 16, Prebble said he had no feeling or movement from his ribcage down (Racing.com (Australia’s official racing news site)).
- Doctors described the situation as a “waiting game” over weeks and months (Racing.com).
Tom Prebble’s spinal injury was catastrophic from the start: a complete ASIA A paraplegia at T4 level means no sensory or motor function below that point, with arm function retained (Racing.com).
The implication: the initial prognosis left no room for ambiguity about the severity of his condition.
Is Tom Prebble in a wheelchair?
Current mobility status
- Yes, Tom Prebble uses a wheelchair due to his spinal cord injury.
- On October 8, 2025, the Victorian Jockeys’ Association (VJA) confirmed no change or improvement in his condition one month after the fall (Racing Victoria).
- He has no feeling or sensation below the T4 level (Racing Victoria).
Rehabilitation efforts
- After being cleared from Austin Hospital, Prebble transferred to the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre in Kew (Racing Victoria).
- He has learned to transfer from wheelchair to bed and in and out of a car (Racing Victoria).
- As of November 2025, he remains at Royal Talbot for intensive rehab, hoping to be discharged by month’s end (Racing.com).
For a former jockey whose body was his tool, the loss of mobility from the chest down is a permanent shift. The VJA’s official statement of “no improvement” underscores the gravity of his diagnosis.
The catch: rehabilitation teaches adaptation, not recovery, for a complete spinal injury.
Is Tom Prebble related to Michelle Payne?
Family connections explained
- Yes, Tom Prebble’s mother is Maree Payne, making Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne his aunt (Idol Horse (thoroughbred racing magazine)).
- His father is jockey Brett Prebble, a prominent figure in Australian racing (Racing.com).
The Payne-Prebble horse racing dynasty
- Michelle Payne became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015.
- Brett Prebble has ridden over 1,000 winners, including Group 1 victories.
- Tom Prebble was an apprentice jockey following in the family tradition.
The implication: Tom’s injury touches one of Australia’s most famous racing families. His mother, Maree, and father, Brett, have been at his bedside, and the sport’s community has rallied around them.
Is Tom Prebble going to Dignitas?
Tom’s statements on assisted dying
- In an interview with Idol Horse published October 31, 2025, Tom Prebble said he has considered Dignitas as an option (Idol Horse).
- He also spoke to Nine News about his life-altering injury and the possibility of assisted dying (Nine News (Australian television network)).
- No final decision has been confirmed as of the latest updates.
Legal and ethical context
- Dignitas is a Swiss organisation that provides assisted suicide; it is not available in Australia.
- Tom’s public comments have sparked discussion about end-of-life choices for spinal cord injury patients.
- His family has emphasised their support for whatever decision he makes.
Tom Prebble’s words reflect both hope and despair: he describes his family’s support and his own determination, yet he also openly names Dignitas as a possible path. For now, the choice remains unmade.
The pattern: public discussion of Dignitas remains hypothetical, but the very act of stating it signals a depth of struggle beyond the physical.
Timeline
- September 2025: Tom Prebble falls during a race at Warrnambool, suffers spinal cord injury.
- October 8, 2025: Victorian Jockeys Association issues update: no change or improvement in Tom’s condition.
- October 31, 2025: Idol Horse publishes interview: Tom reflects on recovery, hope, and thoughts about Dignitas.
Clarity: what we know and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Tom Prebble suffered a spinal cord injury in a fall at Warrnambool in September 2025.
- Tom Prebble is currently using a wheelchair.
- His mother is Maree Payne; his father is jockey Brett Prebble.
- Michelle Payne is his aunt.
- He has been diagnosed with ASIA A complete paraplegia at T4 level.
- He has arm function but no sensation or movement below T4.
What’s unclear
- Whether Tom Prebble will eventually pursue assisted dying via Dignitas.
- Long-term prognosis for his spinal cord injury.
- Full details of his rehabilitation plan and timeline.
Quotes
“I still have hope. I’m only 23, and I’m not ready to give up.”
— Tom Prebble, in an interview with Idol Horse (October 2025)
“There has been no change or improvement in Tom’s condition one month after the fall.”
— Matt Hyland, CEO of the Victorian Jockeys’ Association, in a statement on October 8, 2025 (Racing Victoria)
Tom Prebble’s story is a stark reminder of the risks jockey’s face every race day. For him and his family, the road ahead is uncertain. The racing community has rallied, raising funds and offering support, but the ultimate decision about his future rests with Tom. For the Prebble family, the choice between continuing rehabilitation and considering Dignitas is a deeply personal one, and the world is watching with empathy.
Related reading: **Deine Mariner: NRL Career, Injury, and Engagement** · **Jason Taumalolo: Biography, Salary, Injury, Children, and More**
idolhorse.com, racing.com, sportingnews.com, mirror.co.uk, mirror.co.uk, justhorseracing.com.au, 7news.com.au
Tom Prebble’s path to recovery and the official investigation into the incident are covered in depth in Tom Prebbles spinal injury recovery.
Frequently asked questions
What caused Tom Prebble’s spinal injury?
He was dislodged from his horse during a race at Warrnambool in September 2025, suffering a T5 spine fracture and other injuries that led to complete paraplegia at T4 level.
How old was Tom Prebble when he fell?
He was 23 years old.
Who is Tom Prebble’s father?
His father is Brett Prebble, a well-known Australian jockey.
Has Tom Prebble’s condition improved?
As of October 2025, the VJA reported no change or improvement. He remains a wheelchair user with no sensation below T4.
What is Dignitas and why is Tom Prebble considering it?
Dignitas is a Swiss organisation that provides assisted suicide. Tom has publicly mentioned it as an option he is considering, but no final decision has been made.
Is Tom Prebble still a jockey?
No. Due to his spinal cord injury, he cannot ride horses and is no longer active as a jockey.
Where did Tom Prebble’s fall occur?
At the Warrnambool racetrack in Victoria, Australia, during Race 8 on September 9, 2025.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Insightly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.