At home with champion jockey Michelle Payne – how personal tragedy led to triumph
Champion jockey Michelle Payne opens up on what it means to be home after suffering two family tragedies and winning horseracing’s top prize.
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It’s a farm among the gum trees, with Angus cattle and a horse or two, that Melbourne Cup-winning jockey and horse trainer Michelle Payne calls home.
“I love my farm. It is really peaceful, just a lovely way of living,” she says.
For 16 years, Payne lived in Melbourne as she focused on her career as a jockey and where in 2015 she made history, becoming the first woman to win the coveted Cup.
Following her seminal win, Payne’s fast-paced life continued.
She wrote a best-selling book and has taken up various television commentating roles since. But a country girl at heart, the slower-paced lifestyle recently beckoned her to regional Victoria, where she now focuses on training horses.
“I’ve got a lot of horses ready to have their first start and race and hopefully (take) part in the Spring Carnival this year,” she says.
While frequently travelling for her work, including an upcoming trip to the UK for Royal Ascot, and a tour of Ireland, Payne enjoys the freedom and simplicity of country living.
“I can go outside, wander down and feed the cows and watch them peacefully graze in the paddock,” she says.
“It is so restful, quiet and calming.”
The sense of ‘just being’ can be heard not just in Michelle’s words but in her timbre. It is a place – her place – that as she says, “I have worked really hard for.”
Who Michelle Payne OAM
Where A regional Victorian farm with a refurbished, very cute wood cabin on-site for my brother and former strapper, Stevie Payne.
Favourite space I love the wooden floorboards throughout my house, the warm, big farm-style rooms and my bed – the cosiness, comfort and warmth, especially in the winter months. Home means Something to be proud of – I have worked really hard to be able to own my own home and farm.
MICHELLE PAYNE’S FAVOURITE THINGS
Photo of Michelle’s mum, Mary Payne
This is very special because my mum passed away when I was quite young. This is just a really beautiful photo of her and it means a lot to me, that one.
Photo with Roger Federer
This is when I met him at the Brisbane International Tournament. He has been a hero of mine since forever – obviously not only is he an amazing sportsman, but he is from Switzerland and my mum is Swiss.
Melbourne Cup Saddle and Whip
I used this saddle and whip to win the Melbourne Cup on Prince of Penzance.
Harry White Whip
I have the Harry White Whip. This whip is awarded to the leading jockey of Melbourne Cup week. I won the Harry White Whip for my ride on the Prince of Penzance. It is awarded for the best ride of the carnival over the four days. Harry White was a massive legend. He is my brother Patrick’s favourite jockey so that was really special to me.
Photo of Michelle’s sister, Brigid
It’s a beautiful photo of my sister, Brigid, who has passed away. She was my age when she passed away. When I was 21, I thought it was so old. Now I’m 37, I think it’s really young. It really hits home, thinking of that. She was the eldest and the first jockey of the family.
Swiss Cuckoo clock
It is the Swiss connection that makes this special. I bought this when I rode over in Switzerland and brought it back with me. I also bought some for my sisters too. I think it is a really special item to have.
Melbourne Cup
This is my trophy for winning the Melbourne Cup. Being the first woman in the race’s 155-year history to win was a dream come true, a dream I had since I was five years old. Obviously, this trophy is a really special item to me.
Postcard Painting
I painted this during a painting class and that’s got some good meaning to me. My sister Brigid was a keen painter. She went to art school once she’d finished being a jockey and just that connection with her means a lot. The painting is just of a postcard but I really enjoyed doing it.
Photo album of an African trip
I went to Africa with a friend of mine in 2011 where we worked in an orphanage for four weeks in Rwanda. It was a really special time to just get away from racing and do something different.
I really loved that experience, working with the kids and helping them, teaching them what we could. They didn’t speak much English or have very much, but we would play games with them and they were just so happy. It was just a really special trip.
Sudoku
It’s one of my favourite games. I love numbers, I always loved maths. I used to do it a lot when I was sweating, so if I was having a hot bath or in a dry sauna to lose weight, I’d play Sudoku just to pass the time.
My sisters and I also used to have competitions against each other all the time. I even ended up entering a sudoku championship in Singapore one time, I love it so much.
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Originally published as At home with champion jockey Michelle Payne – how personal tragedy led to triumph
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