Gossip Queen: Champion jockey Michelle Payne looks ahead to a family, and a possible new career

Michelle Payne has won thoroughbred racing’s ultimate prize. Now, the Melbourne Cup winner says she has a surprise or two planned for her life beyond the track.

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne is preparing for life out of the saddle with plans to start a family.

Becoming a mum and racing a horse a Royal Ascot are high on her list of future goals.

And even a foray into a nursing career is not out of the question.

Payne, who won the 2015 Melbourne Cup aboard rank outsider Prince of Penzance and now holds a trainer and jockey licence, has outlined her plans the September issue of Australian Vogue.

“I’m dying to have a family, and that’s probably the next step,” she has told the magazine which is on sale tomorrow.

“I am waiting for when it feels right (to retire).

“I know it is coming, but I’ve got a few dreams in mind I hope will come before then.”

Michelle Payne off the track. Picture: Sarah Matray

Payne with Duke of Nottingham at her Ballarat stables. Picture: Ian Currie

Those dreams including training and riding a horse from her own stable at England’s prestigious Royal Ascot.

“Her name is Sweet Rockette; she is probably my best horse. That would be the ultimate,” Payne said.

And a possible career as a nurse is on the cards.

“I have spent so much time in hospitals so it would be nice to give something back,” she said.

Payne’s history making Cup victory aboard rank outsider Prince of Penzance is now the subject of a feature film, Ride Like A Girl, which will be released on September 26.

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“I feel like there was some (higher) reason for me winning and I think it’s to do good with it,” she said.

“I felt that straight after the race - when I got off and was being interviewed I could feel there was more to this than my achievement of winning the Melbourne Cup.”

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