Michelle Payne
August 21st 2008 06:40
When Michelle Payne went on a working holiday in Europe she did not expect any more opportunity that that to ride trackwork and observe some of the best trainers and jockeys in the world at close quarters.
(photo: John Donegan)
Michelle spent several weeks riding work for Aidan O’Brien at Ballydolye - enjoying the opportunity to ride some of the best bred horses in the world and marvelling at the very different training process. But so pleased was Aidan O’Brien with his Australian rider that he offered her a mount on one of his horses in the Group Three Ladbrokes Give Thanks Stakes at Cork.
O’Brien (as he so often does) had multiple runners in this race, and although Michelle rode one of the less likely chances of the stable, she did manage to finish 7th and produce third best finish for the O’Brien stable and their seven runners.
Before accepting the ride Michelle explained to Aidan O’brien that she was lacking race-riding-fitness after not riding in a race for many weeks. Aidan’s advice was to keep her mount, Love To Dance, balanced and comfortable.
Not riding in a race for many weeks means a definite lack of fitness - and having your first ride over 1 1/2 miles makes it even more of a physical test.
Love To Dance was not fast away in a 16 horse field and did improve to midfield where this 50/1 daughter of Sadler’s Wells held her position to the line. Last time out Johnny Murtagh rode this filly in another unplaced run.
The winner was Unsung Heroine.
First horse home for Aidan O’Brien was 5th placed Hold Me Love (W Supple). Sixth was Honoria (J Heffernan). Next home was Michelle Payne.
Michelle is so taken with the prospect of riding in Ireland and Europe (in general) she asked Aidan O’Brien if there might be a possibility of her returning next year for a longer stay.
Michelle then flew to France to ride in a race for female jockeys and perhaps to catch up with her sister Margaret who is married to French racehorse trainer Nick Bompaus.
Michelle Payne is the youngest of the Payne children. She won her first race as a 15 year old on February the 10th, 2001 at her first ride in a race, creating a place for herself in racing history. She won on Reigning, a horse trained by her father Paddy on the Payne home track of Ballarat. Michelle Payne is the first female apprentice to outride her allowance. There have already been many racing highs for Michelle Payne - but Michelle knows also the racing lows too well with some serious injuries including a fractured wrist, a cracked bone in the neck, and a fractured skull. All of these injuries (and more) from separate incidents, and most requiring stints of rehabilitation and long periods away from the saddle.
The Payne family has produced 8 jockeys from the 10 siblings. Brigid (tragically deceased), Therese, Patrick, Bernadette, Andrew, Maree, Cathy and Michelle became jockeys, while sister Margaret became an accountant and brother Stephen (who has Down Syndrome) looks after the stables.
Michelle’s race riding record:
1863 rides
182 winners
postscript:
In June of 2008 another member of the Payne clan rode a winner with his first ride in a race. This time it was 15 year old Sam Payne, son of the deceased Brigid who was the eldest of the Payne children and a trailblazer for clan and female riders.
Michelle Payne winning at Caulfield in 2007:
Michelle Payne
(photo: John Donegan)
Michelle spent several weeks riding work for Aidan O’Brien at Ballydolye - enjoying the opportunity to ride some of the best bred horses in the world and marvelling at the very different training process. But so pleased was Aidan O’Brien with his Australian rider that he offered her a mount on one of his horses in the Group Three Ladbrokes Give Thanks Stakes at Cork.
O’Brien (as he so often does) had multiple runners in this race, and although Michelle rode one of the less likely chances of the stable, she did manage to finish 7th and produce third best finish for the O’Brien stable and their seven runners.
Before accepting the ride Michelle explained to Aidan O’brien that she was lacking race-riding-fitness after not riding in a race for many weeks. Aidan’s advice was to keep her mount, Love To Dance, balanced and comfortable.
Not riding in a race for many weeks means a definite lack of fitness - and having your first ride over 1 1/2 miles makes it even more of a physical test.
Love To Dance was not fast away in a 16 horse field and did improve to midfield where this 50/1 daughter of Sadler’s Wells held her position to the line. Last time out Johnny Murtagh rode this filly in another unplaced run.
The winner was Unsung Heroine.
First horse home for Aidan O’Brien was 5th placed Hold Me Love (W Supple). Sixth was Honoria (J Heffernan). Next home was Michelle Payne.
Michelle is so taken with the prospect of riding in Ireland and Europe (in general) she asked Aidan O’Brien if there might be a possibility of her returning next year for a longer stay.
Michelle then flew to France to ride in a race for female jockeys and perhaps to catch up with her sister Margaret who is married to French racehorse trainer Nick Bompaus.
Michelle Payne is the youngest of the Payne children. She won her first race as a 15 year old on February the 10th, 2001 at her first ride in a race, creating a place for herself in racing history. She won on Reigning, a horse trained by her father Paddy on the Payne home track of Ballarat. Michelle Payne is the first female apprentice to outride her allowance. There have already been many racing highs for Michelle Payne - but Michelle knows also the racing lows too well with some serious injuries including a fractured wrist, a cracked bone in the neck, and a fractured skull. All of these injuries (and more) from separate incidents, and most requiring stints of rehabilitation and long periods away from the saddle.
The Payne family has produced 8 jockeys from the 10 siblings. Brigid (tragically deceased), Therese, Patrick, Bernadette, Andrew, Maree, Cathy and Michelle became jockeys, while sister Margaret became an accountant and brother Stephen (who has Down Syndrome) looks after the stables.
Michelle’s race riding record:
1863 rides
182 winners
postscript:
In June of 2008 another member of the Payne clan rode a winner with his first ride in a race. This time it was 15 year old Sam Payne, son of the deceased Brigid who was the eldest of the Payne children and a trailblazer for clan and female riders.
Michelle Payne winning at Caulfield in 2007:
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