Michelle Payne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Michelle PayneOAM |
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Michelle Payne on Yosei, upon winning the 2010 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield
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| Occupation | Trainer |
| Born | 29 September 1985 |
| Weight | 50.5 kg (7.95 st; 111 lb) |
| Career wins | 779 |
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Michelle J. Payne OAM (born 29 September 1985) is a famous Australian jockey who is now a trainer. She made history by winning the 2015 Melbourne Cup race. She rode a horse named Prince of Penzance to victory. Michelle is the first and only female jockey to ever win this huge event.
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Early Life and Dreams
Michelle Payne grew up on a farm in Miners Rest, Australia. She was the youngest of ten children. Her mother passed away when Michelle was very young. Her father, Paddy, raised all ten children by himself.
From a young age, Michelle dreamed of becoming a winning jockey. When she was just seven, she told her friends she would one day win the Melbourne Cup. She started racing horses at age 15. She was the eighth child in her family to become a jockey.
Michelle's Racing Career
Michelle won her very first race in Ballarat. She rode a horse called Reigning, which her father trained.
In March 2004, Michelle had a serious fall during a race. She suffered a bad head injury. After recovering, she had another fall and broke her wrist. These injuries meant she needed extra time to complete her jockey training.
Michelle won her first big race, called a Group One race, in 2009. It was the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield Racecourse. She rode a horse named Allez Wonder. The famous trainer Bart Cummings then asked her to ride in the Caulfield Cup. Michelle was only the third female jockey to ever ride in that race. In 2010, she rode Yosei to win the Thousand Guineas race.
Winning the Melbourne Cup 2015
In 2015, Michelle became very well known. She won two races at the Melbourne Cup carnival. One was the Hilton Hotels Stakes, and the other was the main Melbourne Cup race itself! Michelle said she felt like she was "floating on a cloud."
On November 3, 2015, Michelle Payne won the Melbourne Cup. She rode Prince of Penzance, a six-year-old horse she knew very well. Their strong connection helped them win. Michelle explained that winning isn't just about strength. It's about being patient and getting the horse to try its best for you.
Michelle was the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup in its 155-year history. She was also only the fourth woman to ride in the race. Her win was a huge surprise because Prince of Penzance was a long shot, with odds of 100–1. Michelle's victory showed everyone that women jockeys are just as capable. She hoped her win would help more female jockeys.
Later Career and Awards
In May 2016, Michelle had another serious fall during a race. She had to have surgery for injuries to her stomach area. She recovered and returned to racing in September 2016. After this, she started thinking about becoming a trainer instead of just a jockey.
In October 2016, Michelle received the Don Award. This award is given to an Australian sportsperson who has inspired the nation. In May 2017, she also won the international Longines Ladies Award. This award celebrates women who have made a positive impact in the horse world.
Michelle now also speaks at conferences. She shares her inspiring story with people in Australia and around the world.
Honours and Legacy
In 2016, Michelle Payne was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. This list celebrates amazing women from Victoria, Australia. In 2021, she received the Medal of the Order of Australia. This is a special award for her achievements.
In 2019, Michelle's amazing Melbourne Cup win was made into a movie. It was called Ride Like a Girl. The actress Teresa Palmer played Michelle in the film.
