Female jockey Katelyn Mallyon brushes Michelle Payne comparison in Melbourne Cup lead-up

Katelyn Mallyon suffered a serious setback after a race fall at Flemington in 2012 that left her with a broken back and lacerated spleen. But she never lost her nerve and will tomorrow saddle up for the Cup.

In any other Melbourne Cup Katelyn Mallyon might have been a curiosity. Just the latest female jockey trying to break the sport’s grass ceiling.

But Mallyon is basking in reflected glory. The 22 year-old has seized the baton — or the padded whip — from Michelle Payne, whose victory on Prince of Penzance last year was a seminal moment in Australian racing.

After a serious race fall, and then an injury to Prince of Penzance, Payne does not have a ride. So Mallyon, who will be aboard Assign, has become the centre of attention as the only female jockey in the race.

That focus has been intense. Mallyon’s phone has not stopped ringing with requests for interviews and appearances. Everyone wants to know the same thing: What has Payne’s victory done to improve the lot of female riders over the past 12 months?

Mallyon (left) in action at the Geelong Cup earlier this month. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Mallyon’s response is surprising. “I’ve never felt what she’s felt,’’ she says of Payne’s passionate stance on discrimination against female jockeys. “But she has been there a lot longer than me. When I came on to the scene the times were already changing. Riders like Clare Lindop paved the way. I haven’t really felt as strongly about the whole boy-girl issue as Michelle has.’’

What Payne’s victory has given Mallyon is a greater belief in what female riders can achieve. “I think all the girls feel a bit more confident about what we are doing now,’’ she says. ‘’There are plenty of girls coming through who know what is achievable. Thanks to Michelle riding a 100-1 winner in the Melbourne Cup we’re proving ourselves.’’

Katelyn Mallyon (centre) frocks up with fellow female jockeys, Kayla Nisbet and Michelle Payne. Picture: David Caird

Mallyon had an edge on some female riders. As a fourth-generation jockey and granddaughter of champion hoop Mick Mallyon, she virtually grew up in the saddle. Both her parents rode and her brother Andrew is also an accomplished jockey.

Since Mick Mallyon’s wife died four years ago Katelyn has spent a lot of time at his house opposite Flemington racecourse keeping her Pop company, talking about riding and plotting her career. The great jockey who won three Caulfield Cups is a rich source of advice.

“He told me if you break a horse’s stride, you break their spirit,’’ says Mallyon. “I’m a massive believer in that. If a horse wants to run, you let them run. That’s what works for me.’’

Only once, very briefly, did Mallyon consider an alternate career. Several years ago she was walking along Melbourne’s Bourke St. Mall when she was spotted by the owner of a modelling talent agency.

Katelyn Mallyon and the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Colleen Petch

Mallyon put his business card in her bag and forgot about it until her mother found it and insisted she attend an audition. “I did one lesson (on the catwalk) and I didn’t like it,’’ says Mallyon who was offered a modelling contract.

“I said to Mum ‘I’m not going back again, I’ve got to ride trackwork in the morning and I can’t stay up any later because I’ve got to get up early’. That was the end of my modelling career.’’

Mallyon was a star apprentice but her career suffered a serious setback after a race fall at Flemington in 2012. She had a fracture in her back, a lacerated spleen and facial injuries but never lost her nerve. She now wonders if being in a coma for a week and having no memory of the fall aided her recovery.

Mallyon’s horror fall on Deliver the Dream in 2012.

“If you could remember hitting the ground at that speed I’m sure it would not have been nice,’’ she says. “But not much scares me. I’m a bit of thrillseeker and that’s why I do this job.’’

Mallyon has not been surprised by the extra attention she has received this week. “After what Michelle achieved I knew there would be a lot of interest in me, especially because she won’t be riding.”

That Mallyon has been entrusted with the ride on the $80 chance Assign by leviathan owner Lloyd Williams is another indication she has not experienced the discrimination some female riders still endure.

“Mr Williams is such a prominent owner and such a big supporter of this race,’’ she says. “I pinch myself that I’m riding in the Melbourne Cup for him. It’s a massive feather in my cap to ride for him.’’

What does Mallyon expect when the gates fly open at 3pm? “I’m not really sure,’’ she says. “I had a ride on Melbourne Cup day when I was an apprentice so I’ve had a little taste of the noise and the excitement. But it will be completely different riding in the big race. I’m sure the nerves will kick in but he (Assign) is a real gentleman. I know he will give me a great ride.’’