Champion jockey Brett Prebble was left bloodied after a fight broke out at former AFL coach Ross Lyon’s birthday lunch.
Lyon and friends had gathered on Monday for his 55th birthday at renowned Port Melbourne seafood restaurant Rubira’s when celebrations turned sour.
Witnesses said 2012 Melbourne Cup winner Prebble was left with blood splattered across his shirt after he cut himself during the dispute inside the exclusive eatery.
It is unclear what caused the heated exchange, which is understood to have primarily involved Prebble and another man known to him. Lyon was not involved.
Ex-AFL ruckman Michael Gardiner is said to have acted as peacemaker.
Gardiner, who played under Lyon at St Kilda for the last five years of his career, had left the lunch before returning to help ease tensions.
Prebble rode raging favourite Incentivise in last week’s Melbourne Cup.