Melbourne Cup winner Brett Prebble is set for a stint riding in Sydney

Cups winning star Brett Prebble is heading to Sydney next week, bolstering what is already a deep riding talent pool in NSW.

Brett Prebble is set to ply his trade in Sydney from next week. Picture: Vince Caligiuri–Getty Images

Champion jockey Brett Prebble will ride in Sydney from next week and hasn’t ruled out a permanent switch to the Harbour City.

Prebble has been based in his home town of Melbourne since 2018 after he rode successfully in Hong Kong for 16 years.

But Prebble told Racing Confidential he hasn’t been getting the opportunities in Melbourne this season and is “keen to test the water” in Sydney racing.

Prebble, a former Melbourne premier jockey and rider of 37 Group 1 winners including the 2012 Melbourne Cup on Green Moon, 2010 Golden Slipper on Crystal Lily, and 2021 Caulfield Cup on Incentivise, will ride at the Randwick trials on Monday and has race rides at Warwick Farm (Wednesday), Gosford (Thursday) and Rosehill Gardens on Saturday week.

“I’ve got some really good support and some nice rides coming up so I am looking forward to giving it a go in Sydney,’’ Prebble said.

“Everything is timing in this game and I think there is a place for a senior jockey in Sydney.

“They will notice I will be working very hard and hopefully I will be rewarded for my efforts.

“Nothing is certain in racing but a change can be as good as a holiday.’’

Brett Prebble wins the Caulfield Cup on Incentivise. Picture: Vince Caligiuri–Getty Images

Prebble had a stellar season in 2021-22 riding 64 winners including five at Group 1 level, but he has experienced a relatively lean run by his lofty standards this season with only seven winners including three on metropolitan tracks.

He has two rides at Saturday’s Sandown meeting including Sydney sprinter On The Lead for trainers Richard and Will Freedman.

Prebble, 45, has enjoyed a stellar career and a jockey with his record and experience only adds to the deep pool of riding talent in Sydney racing.

It’s an opportune moment for Prebble to make the move as most of Sydney’s top jockeys will be riding at the Magic Millions meeting on January 14, while Hall of Fame jockey Hugh Bowman is in Hong Kong until next month.

Prebble’s son, Tom, has just begun his career in the saddle and the 4kg claiming apprentice rode his first winner at just his seventh ride at Mornington last month.

Originally published as Melbourne Cup winner Brett Prebble is set for a stint riding in Sydney