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Melbourne Cup star James McDonald has selflessly pledged to donate all of his prize money from his victory at Flemington on Tuesday to a fundraiser that is supporting a young horse rider who suffered a devastating spinal injury that has left him with no feeling in his lower body.
Tom Prebble, 23, fell from his horse during a race at Warrnambool in September, just 700m from the finish line.
The 23-year-old was flown to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where he underwent surgery after fracturing his spine at T5. He was later transferred to the ICU at the Austin Hospital.
The racing community has rallied to support the Prebble family with a fundraiser to support the young jockey. Tom’s father is the legendary Melbourne Cup-winning jockey, Brett, while his mother is Maree of the iconic Payne family.
The rising star had been working as an apprentice to his uncle and aunt, Patrick and Michelle Payne, when the fall took place.
On Tuesday at Flemington, McDonald rode Michael Freedman-trained Pallaton to victory in the $150,000 Schweppervescence Plate. The racing team will take home $82,500 from that prize pot, with McDonald set to claim $4,100 of that.
Tom Prebble (pictured) has revealed that he has been left without the use of his lower body after falling from his horse during a race in September
Prebble had fractured his spine in the fall, but was seen at Flemington last week posing with his Auntie Michelle Payne (left) and his dad Brett (right)
Now though, Jockey James McDonald is set to donate his winnings from Tuesday at Flemington to support the apprentice rider, Prebble
And in a heartwarming turn of events, the jockey has, according to SEN, pledged to donate all of his winnings to Prebble’s foundation.
It came after he had gone to visit the youngster in hospital after winning last month’s Cox Plate.
The 2021 Melbourne Cup winner, McDonald, has enjoyed an excellent vein of form in recent weeks on the track, having clinched his fourth consecutive Cox Plate title, as well as the Rosehill Gold Cup at Randwick.
‘It just gives another indication of the man J-Mac is. Tom looks absolutely rapt, I thought that was a beautiful moment,’ Michael Felgate said on Racing.com.
Meanwhile, other stars from the world of horse racing, including dual Melbourne Cup winner Mark Zahra, have paid tribute to Prebble.
'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.'
Despite the nature of the injury, Prebble has been keeping a positive outlook, thanking those who have supported him.
The 23-year-old was a rising star in Victoria and rode a treble at Flemington this year
McDonald (second-from the right) has enjoyed a great few weeks on the track and will now donate over $4,000, according to reports, to support the young apprentice
'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,’ he said.
The 23-year-old added that the fall was ‘no fault of anyone’s.’
‘The horse just had a stumble and it was a wet track. I can't blame anyone for it,’ he said per SEN.
‘He went headfirst and so did I and, unfortunately, from then on I couldn't feel anything below chest level. From here down, I can't feel anything. I have no sensation and it's been two months now, so they have basically declared me as complete (paraplegic).
‘I'll hopefully move home to Mum's house where it will be modified for me to be suitable to live in. From then on, hopefully (I'll) just get my independence back, and if there's any rehab that could get me a bit more sensation, I would love to do it.’
Tom added: ‘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.'
