Melbourne Cup starter Katelyn Mallyon turned down a modelling career to be a jockey

KATELYN Mallyon has had to overcome severe injury and turned down a modelling contract to get to the Melbourne Cup.

Instagram image of Melbourne jockey Katelyn Mallyon.

IF FATE had dealt Katelyn Mallyon a different set of cards she might not be riding in the Melbourne Cup today.

But she’d probably still be at Flemington, if only strutting down one of the Champagne-splashed catwalks on the sidelines of the carnival.

She came close to taking up modelling as a professional career. However, when he she had to make the choice between runway and racecourse, it was a easy. Milan had nothing on Melbourne.

“I actually got a contract from America for a modelling career but I turned that down, it was either that or be a jockey and I always wanted to be a jockey,” she told the Daily Mail.

At the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, Ms Mallyon will ride Assign in a bid to have back-to-back female riders lift the trophy following Michelle Payne’s win last year.

Jockey Katelyn Mallyon. Picture: Colleen Petch.

The bookies agree she’s an outside chance but then so was Payne who powered through to the winning post in one of the Cup’s most electric finishes.

“It’s amazing that Michelle won it last year and I’d like to follow in her footsteps and win it this year,” she told Sunday Night.

“It would be amazing if I could be the second female to win the Melbourne Cup, it would be extraordinary.”

Nevertheless, the pull of the modelling world was strong.

Several years ago, she was strolling down Melbourne’s busy shopping strip of Bourke Street when she was spotted by the owner of a local modelling agency.

Social media image of Melbourne jockey Katelyn Mallyon. Picture: Instagram

A business card was thrust into her hand and Ms Mallyon was implored to get in touch.

She took the card and promptly forgot about it until her mum discovered it and insisted she go for an audition.

“I did one lesson (on the catwalk) and I didn’t like it,’’ said Ms Mallyon, who was offered a modelling contract.

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

A far bigger hurdle to leap was a devastating injury. In May 2012, she smashed face first into the track after falling from her then horse, Deliver The Dream, at Flemington.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse, chef and owner of Maha Shane Delia, jockey Katelyn Mallyon and Myer Fashions off the Field ambassador Stephanie Smith on the carousel at The Park, a new area at Flemington. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Ms Mallyon damaged her spleen, broke her cheekbone and fractured her spine. She was placed in a coma for four days and doctors said if the injury was only slightly more severe, she could have been paralysed.

Perhaps luckily, she remembers nothing of the career-threatening accident.

“If you could remember hitting the ground at that speed I’m sure it would not have been nice.

“But not much scares me. I’m a bit of thrill seeker and that’s why I do this job.’’

She hails from a rich pedigree of winners. Her grandfather Mick Mallyon is a three-time Caulfield Cup winning hoop and her brothers, Andrew and Jordan, are also jockeys.

Mick said his granddaughter’s Flemington fall was a “real horrendous” crash. “It sent a chill up our spine, I tell you down here,” he told Seven.

Katelyn Mallyon at Simon Zahra's Flemington stables. Picture: Jason Edwards

But, despite the drama, he’s never doubted her commitment to the track and said he’s never missed one of Katelyn’s races.

“I’ve got my old peepers on her all the time. She lives and breathes for the racecourse. (She’s) got it running through her blood.”

Ms Mallyon has a fan in Payne.

Speaking ahead of the big race, the champion said she was hoping for another woman to win.

“Every opportunity women get in this industry to prove themselves is amazing,’’ Payne said on Monday.

“It’s about making the most of the opportunities we are given and supporting other female jockeys coming through. Katelyn is a very confident rider.’’

Jockey Katelyn Mallyon with the 2016 Emirates Melbourne Cup at Eureka Sky Deck's The Edge. Picture: Jason Edwards

For her part, Ms Mallyon said she’s not concentrating on her gender, only on being her best.

“I’ve come out of my apprenticeship, outridden my claim, which is hard and I’ve gone straight in to the top level and proved I am good enough, and everyone knows that,” she told the Herald Sun last week.

Now she just wants to get into the starting gates.

Speaking at Monday’s Call of the Card, Mallyon said she felt confident aboard Irish stayer Assign.

“I’m really looking forward to hearing the crowd roar and being out there,’’ she said.

“I’m sure the nerves will kick in later, but I’m really excited to get out there.

“I’m really happy with my horse Assign ... I’m sure we will keep each other relaxed.’’