How jockey Tom Prebble went from novice to leading apprentice in five years

Despite his elite pedigree, Tom Prebble only learned to ride five years ago but he is currently the leading apprentice in Victoria. He reveals the key to his rapid development.

Leading apprentice Tom Prebble has sights only on the next horse – and winner – as he continues to navigate a steep riding education.

Despite an elite pedigree Prebble, 23, son of champion jockey Brett Prebble and Maree Payne, only learned to ride in 2020 under the tutelage of Steven and Jess Pateman.

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The third-year apprentice has ridden 114 winners to date, including 49 statewide this season.

The 21 metro winners this season, two more than nearest apprentice rival Jaylah Kennedy (19), included a breakthrough Listed victory last month at Flemington.

“It’s probably not very Prebble-like of me, but I don’t look up where I am (standings),” Prebble said.

“I want to keep winning every race and if I end up in front, that’d be great.”

Prebble has seven rides at Flemington on Saturday, including Jimmy The Bear in the VOBIS Gold Mile.

He scored a Caulfield double last Saturday with wins on Splash Back and Jimmy The Bear.

“I was pretty quiet the Saturday prior, but I was very fortunate Grahame Begg and Patrick (Payne), my boss, were able to give me some nice steers,” Prebble said.

“With a lot of the top dogs (senior jockeys) going north it leaves us apprentices more of a chance.

“The more rides you get the more confidence you get.”

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A strong work ethic and support network has helped fast-track Prebble’s development and progression.

“It also puts a bit more pressure on me as well (surname), I’m probably expected of a bit more than I should be … I haven’t been riding for that long,” Prebble said.

“I’m still learning every day. The main thing is I continue to ride, I ride 10-15 horses a day sometimes. You got to learn at some point how to hold on!”

Tom Prebble has seven rides at Flemington on Saturday which includes Jimmy The Bear, who won at Caulfield last week. Picture: Getty Images

Prebble remains indebted to the Patemans for their early guidance.

“I really owe everything to Jess and Steve because I hadn’t really touched a horse at all,” Prebble said.

“I didn’t even know how to get on a horse. They helped me with all the basics and I was able to find I did actually love doing what I do and progressed with that.”

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Champion jumps jockey Steven Pateman knew Prebble would make the grade despite being “very, very green”.

“One time, it happens to all kids learning, he was at the end of the beach and struggling a bit,” Pateman laughed.

“He said I can’t ride back from the end of the beach and I was like, it’s a long walk and off we bowled. He was still there at the end of it!

“He just had the best attitude and beautiful natural seat (riding posture), we know where he’s got that from (parents).

“We knew early days he would make it … he’s on the road to the top really.

“When he’s a Group 1 jockey hopefully he remembers us, when we get a good one and want to ride it.”

Keane eager to notch metro milestone

Apprentice jockey Dakotah Keane wants to punch out an important career milestone on Saturday at Flemington.

Keane, a former state and national junior title-winning boxer, was denied a first Saturday city winner in Melbourne last week at Caulfield, placed aboard Chinqui and “beaten a nose” on Extreme Virtue.

The 21-year-old, fresh off a “dream” win in the iconic royal blue Godolphin silks last Wednesday, will pilot fancied Avebury and Ahha Ahha in respective races at Flemington.

“I’ve got two good chances,” Keane said.

“I’ve drawn a bit sticky so it’ll make it a bit awkward, hopefully we can keep the luck rolling.

“I haven’t had a winner at Flemington yet, so to get a winner at Flemington … would be really good.”

Keane has ridden 72 winners the past three seasons, including seven in town.

She scored Saturday metro winner in Adelaide last year.

Keane quit boxing five years ago to focus on becoming a jockey.

“It’s not really a sport you can do both with, so I had to choose one and haven’t looked back since,” Keane said.

“I grew out of boxing and once I got into racing I fell in love with that.”

Originally published as How jockey Tom Prebble went from novice to leading apprentice in five years