VJA gives Prebble update

Injured jockey Tom Prebble still has no feeling or movement below his T4 vertebrae four weeks on from a race fall at Warrnambool, the Victorian Jockeys Association confirmed on Thursday.

VJA Chief Executive Officer, Matt Hyland, said that there has been no change or improvement in Tom’s condition following his serious spinal cord injury.

The 23-year-old recently moved from the Austin Hospital’s spinal care unit to the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre in Kew, where he has commenced intensive rehabilitation.

“Speaking with Tom, he has advised that four weeks on from his fall, he has no feeling or sensation below the T4 level of his spine,” Hyland said.

“With the support of the outstanding team at Talbot, Tom has already learned to transfer from his wheelchair to bed, in and out of a car, and begun working through the many challenges associated with a spinal cord injury.”

Hyland said Prebble had specifically asked that his appreciation be passed on regarding the care, concern and ongoing messages of support received from the racing community, especially from owners, trainers and jockeys who supported him throughout his nearly three years as an apprentice jockey in Victoria.