Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne breaks silence following tragic death of sister Bernadette

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne has opened up about the tragedy that has rocked her family.

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne has broken her silence for the first time following the sudden passing of her sister Bernadette.

Bernadette, a former jockey herself, died last week at the age of 51.

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And speaking publicly for the first time since her sister’s passing, Michelle – who shot to superstardom in 2015 when she won the Melbourne Cup – said her family are deeply appreciative of all the well wishes from the public during this difficult time but asks for privacy as they navigate their tragic loss.

 “I’m OK, thank you,” she told News Corp.

“We are so deeply sad … Our family feels so grateful and appreciate for all the love and support.

“We thank everyone for the love and understanding. We’re very grateful for the support received for Bernadette and us from Racing Victoria and our close friends through a very difficult time.

Michelle Payne has opened up about the death of her sister. Image: Getty

Racing Victoria confirmed Ms Payne’s passing on Tuesday on behalf of the Payne family.

“It is with deep sadness that we confirm that Bernadette has passed away,” the Payne family’s statement read.

“She had a very difficult and challenging time in recent years and we find solace in the hope that she is now at peace.

“She was loved by many throughout her life.

“We ask that our family’s privacy is respected at this time. Thank you.”

Bernadette was one of eight of Ballarat trainer Paddy Payne’s 10 children to become a jockey, riding almost 200 winners before retiring in 2009.

Bernadette is the second of the Payne siblings to pass prematurely after her sister Brigid died from a heart attack in 2007, aged 36.

Bernadette, the sister of Melbourne Cup winner Michelle Payne, died at the age of 51.

The Payne family racing journey is remarkable considering the loss of matriarch Mary in a car accident suddenly left Paddy and the older children to raise their younger siblings.

“The older kids they were just unbelievable, Brigid had to move away from home and went to be an apprentice but Therese she just took over the role as the mum,” Michelle, the youngest of the Payne children said in a Racing.com interview last year.

“Bernadette was 11 years old and getting up in the middle of the night feeding me.

“Amazing what they did and just without any fuss they just did what they had to do.

“It was just incredible that they got through it and that they’re so strong.”

Originally published as Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne breaks silence following tragic death of sister Bernadette