Michelle Payne’s Melbourne Cup moment was a major one for the good of the game, as well as the talented jockey herself.
Her victory in 2015 meant she was the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup.
We’re taking a look at Payne and her Melbourne Cup winning ride.
About Michelle Payne
Michelle Payne was born in 1985. As a youngster, already into horses and riding, she apparently told friends she would win the Melbourne Cup. She wasn’t wrong.
Payne won her first race aboard her father’s Reigning at Ballarat. She may have hit the top sooner too, but for bad luck. In 2004 she took a heavy fall resulting in a fractured skull and bruising on the brain.
That incident only proved to make her stronger. She won her first Group 1 event at Caulfield, the Toorak Handicap, in 2009. Bart Cummings then offered her a ride in the Caulfield Cup. She was the third female jockey to ever ride in the race.
More success followed before her defining moment at Flemington.
Melbourne Cup Achievements
Despite having won a Group 1, Michelle Payne had no luck in getting Melbourne Cup rides until her big success. She hasn’t had a ride in the race since, either.
The point about Payne’s success of course is that, as well as being an excellent winning ride, it was a ground-breaking one for female jockeys. In recent years, Jamie Kah and Rachel King have come close and may well win the big one soon.
Even if Payne were to never win another major race again, this achievement is seismic. It cannot be underestimated.
Michelle Payne’s Melbourne Cup Win
November 3, 2015 is the key date. This is when Michelle Payne won the Melbourne Cup aboard Prince of Penzance.
Payne had held a long association with the six-year-old. They were seen by trainer Darren Weir as very much a partnership. Payne became the first woman to win the Cup in its entire 155-year history.
A huge 100/1 shot, Prince of Penzance broke from the inside barrier under Payne and was held up in the middle of the pack.
With around 600 metres to go, it was evident the horse had a chance. Payne angled him out and began to stay on well.
Gai Waterhouse’s Excess Knowledge was looking to cling on, but was swamped by a host of horses. Some endure bad luck in running, but thankfully for Payne Prince of Penzance got a clear run.
Prince of Penzance was able to sweep by, beating Max Dynamite by half a length. In a tight finish, only 2 lengths covered the first five horses home.
