Melbourne Cup 2015: Michelle Payne proves doubters wrong with stunning win on Prince Of Penzance

THE petite 30-year-old who won the Melbourne Cup on Prince Of Penzance said she hoped her victory changed the perception of female jockeys.

AS the Melbourne Cup-winning jockey, Michelle Payne had centre stage — and she had plenty to say.

The petite, pretty 30-year-old had achieved every jockey’s dream but her to road to Melbourne Cup glory at Flemington on Tuesday was rockier than most.

Payne has had to battle all her riding career with the perception that female jockeys struggle to compete with men, even to the point where she was fearful of losing the ride on Prince Of Penzance.

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During the post-Cup press conference, Payne said trainer Darren Weir has stuck by her when other trainers have replaced her after a losing ride.

“I feel a lot of the time I’m taken off after an unlucky run when the horse missed the start or couldn’t get out,’’ Payne said.

“Then the guys get the ride next start and when the horse is unlucky again, they said it wasn’t his fault because it missed the start or couldn’t get out into the clear.

“That just drives me crazy because I’m way more dedicated than a lot of the guys because I don’t get the opportunities. It is so frustrating.

“Whether winning the Melbourne Cup helps change the perception of female jockeys I don’t know but I hope it does.’’

Payne said she felt under pressure to retain the ride on Prince Of Penzance this spring so she asked Weir for advice.

“I drove Darren mad about this horse, I kept showing up for morning gallops and annoying him,’’ she said. “I’ve missed rides on horses because I’ve always put ‘Prince’ first as I felt he was the best chance I have had of winning the Melbourne Cup.

“There was a time when I had the offer to ride Sistine Demon but rode Prince Of Penzance instead. Sistine Demon won that day, won about six in a row and I never got back on him but I’m glad now I stuck with ‘Prince’.

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“But I knew some of the owners wanted to take me off so Darren said, ‘don’t give them an excuse to replace you’.’’

Payne admitted she felt under real pressure going into Moonee Valley Cup last start as she realised if she didn’t ride Prince Of Penzance that day there was a big chance they would go with someone else.

“But we ran second in that race, I felt I rode him well and I kept the ride,’’ she said. “I’m so grateful Darren and the owners stuck by me and I could do the job today.’’

Payne fulfilled every jockey’s dream by becoming the first female rider to win the Melbourne Cup on Prince Of Penzance on Tuesday.

Michelle lost her mother, Mary, in a car crash in 1986 when she was just a baby but her father Paddy kept the family unit together.

Michelle Payne shows her delight after Prince Of Penzance’s triumph.

Payne said racing is in her blood and revealed she had always dreamed of being a jockey.

“I’m the youngest of 10 children, my Dad was a trainer and seven of my brothers and sister were jockeys,’’ Payne said. “For as long as I remember, I was going to be a jockey.’’

Three of her elder sisters, the late Bridget, Therese and Maree rode successfully, while brother Patrick was a champion jockey before weight forced him out of the saddle.

Michelle was asked what it felt like to now be the “most famous Payne”.

“My main aim was to be better than my sisters,’’ she said. “But I remember saying when I was seven that I wanted to ride the Melbourne Cup winner so this is just awesome. I know my Dad will be so proud at home.’’

But Michelle wanted to share her moment of triumph with brother Stephen, who has Down syndrome, and brought him in with her for press conference.

Payne said she felt there was a sense of destiny about Prince Of Penzance after Stephen drew barrier one for the stayer at the Cup barrier draw on Derby Day.

“As we were growing up, we were always so close,’’ Michelle said. “Being the youngest two of 10, we were often left to play on our own so we grew up together.

“It is great I can share this win with him.’’

Michelle Payne revealed plans to take out a dual jockey-trainer licence next year.

“I always thought I would retire if I won the Melbourne Cup,’’ she said. “But now I’m looking forward to being able to train and ride horses in races.

“A lot of times you can’t ride horses the way you want to because you have to keep owners happy. I’m looking forward to be being able to teach horses to win and ride them through the grades.’’

Originally published as Melbourne Cup 2015: Michelle Payne proves doubters wrong with stunning win on Prince Of Penzance