Tom Prebble: riding his own path

Tom Prebble’s breakthrough stakes win in May – aboard $61 outsider, Title Fighter in the Listed Straight Six at Flemington – was just his third ride in a stakes race, but he rode with the confidence and instinct of someone who belongs on the big stage. It’s a credit to his own talent and hard work, though his racing roots no doubt help.

His father, Brett Prebble, is a Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper-winning jockey and multiple-time premiership winner in Victoria and Hong Kong. His mother, Maree Payne, also rode professionally, and his extended family includes champion jockeys and accomplished trainers Michelle and Patrick Payne, with whom Tom is now apprenticed.

While Tom is building his own career, his father’s influence remains. Brett first rose to prominence as an apprentice to Stawell trainer Terry O’Sullivan before winning three Melbourne apprentices’ titles under Flemington-based trainer John Meagher. At just 17, he landed his first Group 1 win on Daacha in the 1995 Sydney Cup.

After back-to-back Melbourne premierships in 2000 and 2001, Brett moved to Hong Kong, where a one-season contract became a 16-year tenure and 803 winners, including 18 Hong Kong Group 1 races. His international success extended to Japan and Singapore, and he returned to Australia full-time in 2018. 

A remarkable 2021 spring saw him win five Group 1s, including the Caulfield Cup on Incentivise. In 2024, Brett announced his retirement from riding to focus on his racing gear business, Persuader International.

Tom is determined to make his own name, but he’s also embraced the rare opportunity to ride alongside his father at trackwork. Brett regularly heads to Dan Meagher’s stable to join his son in the saddle.

“We enjoy riding horses, we both love the horse, and doing it together with your son is pretty enjoyable,” he said.

Tom agrees, though he admits the dynamic has shifted: “It’s a bit different now. Obviously, he’s got so much more experience than me, but I still kind of feel like I’m looking after him out there. If a horse is jumping around, he’s still my dad and I want to make sure he’s all right.”

The contrast in riding style is something both acknowledge. “Tom’s very different to me,” Brett said. “I was always tactical, but he’s very balanced and relaxed.”

For Tom, the weight of a famous surname brings both pressure and pride. “Everyone likes to bring up my breeding,” he said.

“If I could be half as good as Dad, or Patrick, or Michelle, I’d be happy. But I am pretty happy with how far I’ve come.”

Brett admires how his son is navigating the early stages of his career. “He’s worked hard, taken his time, and really improved himself both physically and mentally,” he said.

“He’s done a lot of Pilates and core work, and you can see it in the way he sits on a horse now. I’m really proud of him. As a parent, that’s what you hope for, that your kids are healthy, happy, and love what they do.”

Despite growing up around racing, Tom didn’t start riding until he was 18. “I did every other sport in Hong Kong,” he said.

“Mum and Dad kept me away from racing at first because they knew how tough it is. But once I started watching Dad race in Australia, I got the passion for it.”

Since Prebble’s city debut, he’s had 27 metropolitan winners, including a memorable treble at Flemington in June 2025 – two for Michelle and Patrick Payne, and one for Grahame Begg.

“That was easily the best day I’ve had at the track,” he said. “I was so happy to win for Patrick and Michelle. Them being family, I wanted to do right by them.”

Based in Melbourne, Prebble makes the regular trip to the Payne’s Plumpton property for trackwork and rides work for trainers like Grahame Begg, Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young. He’s mindful of forming relationships with the horses he works with. 

“I try to connect with the horses I ride at trackwork,” he said. “It’s even better when you get to partner them on race day, too.”

While hoping for a win in the Rising Star Series this weekend, but also remains focused on the long game. “I’m just enjoying it at the moment,” he said.

“I’m competitive. I want to make the most of any opportunity I get, and to keep building those connections and doing the right thing by the people who support me.”