Prince of Penzance strapper Steven Payne the unsung hero of Melbourne Cup success
MICHELLE Payne may have given sisterhood a boost with her Melbourne Cup victory, but there was no one prouder of her efforts than brother Steven Payne.
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MICHELLE Payne may have given sisterhood a boost with her Melbourne Cup victory on Tuesday, but there was no one prouder of her efforts than brother and strapper Steven Payne.
Steven was elated after Michelle became the first woman to win the Cup in 155 years when she steered rank outsider Prince of Penzance to victory ahead of Max Dynamite and Criterion.
Michelle and Steven are two of 10 children — one sadly died, while seven of them have worked as jockeys — and the fact they could share in the success meant a lot to both of them.
The pair embraced in the mounting yard afterwards and Steven was overcome with emotion.
“It’s a great moment, it’s a great win and it’s a great ride — 10 out of 10,” he said.
Michelle summed up what her victory meant for the pair.
“We are the youngest two and we are close,” said Michelle, who lives with Steven. “It is great that I can share this with him.
“He told me when he led me onto the track to make sure I won because he had backed the horse. It is just fabulous to win the Cup, but it has not really sunk in yet.”
Steven, who has Down Syndrome, has been employed at trainer Darren Weir’s Ballarat stables for close to a decade and his responsibilities are numerous.
“He can follow the work sheet, he can saddle them up, he can swim them, hose them, and he’s got a great rapport with horses,” Weir said before the race.
“He’s really enjoyable to have around, and I think it’s important for those sorts of kids to get a go at something, and if they get a go they reward you.
“They’ve got a great history in racing,” he added of the family, “and they’re all terrific horse people and Stevie is no different.”
The Payne family were desperately poor when growing up on a farm on the outskirts of Ballarat in the late 1980s, and Michelle and Steven were always knocking about together as kids.
While the older children rode ponies and then racehorses, the two of them used to play in the dirt, forging a tight bond following the tragic loss of their mother when both were still young.
Michelle said Steven had challenged some of the stigma that surrounds Down Syndrome.
“I think it’s great for other people with Down Syndrome — to see how capable they can be in normal life,” she said.
“Stevie can pretty much do anything, and look after himself when he’s on his own.”
Steven received a massive roar from the Flemington crowd after giving a brief but uplifting speech when accepting the Tommy Woodcock Trophy as the winning strapper.
“Thank you very much, everybody,” he said. “To all of the crowd today at the races. I hope you have a great night. Thank you very much.”
Steven’s role in Prince of Penzance’s success had come earlier than just on race day.
It was Steven who had correctly predicted he’d draw barrier one for the race, and he had also been right when he said Prince of Penzance would be “in front at 200 metres (to go)”.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who is related to Michelle and Steven through marriage, was overjoyed at their success.
“It’s an unbelievable thrill for the family, for Michelle to be the first female to win it,” he said.
“It’s a fairytale story. We’ve got Stevie (Payne) there working hard in the stable and drawing the barrier and leading the horse up.
“I’m rapt for Michelle, and for ‘Weiry’ (trainer Darren Weir) and it’s great for the Payne family to be on the list of winning jockeys.”
Even Rich Ricci, the owner of runner-up Max Dynamite, paid tribute to the story behind Prince of Penzance’s success.
“It was a great run by Max Dynamite and a great ride but with the winner it was a fantastic story for racing,” Ricci said.
“That young man (Steven Payne) who drew the number one barrier, it’s a fantastic story for racing,” he said.
“Better than us winning it — so great.”
There's the face of this year's Cup for mine. You bloody little ripper Stevie Payne. Such a great story all 'round pic.twitter.com/Ko7BgMCxwu
— Andy Maher (@MGMaherSEN) November 3, 2015
@mj_payne celebrates her historical #MelbourneCup win with #StevenPayne. Born with Down syndrome. #Congratulations pic.twitter.com/4qsFjk8kjp
— Ulysses Club Inc. (@UlyssesClubAust) November 3, 2015Congratulations to Michelle Payne n her brother Steven. Not only did you win the Cup, but you certainly won our hearts 😘
— Cr Tanya Milligan (@CrTanyaMilligan) November 3, 2015
Originally published as Prince of Penzance strapper Steven Payne the unsung hero of Melbourne Cup success
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