Michelle Payne has endured an emotional two weeks.
The trailblazer stood proudly next to his new statue at Flemington on Thursday, leaving behind a week he would care to forget.
Payne parted ways with older brother Patrick on Friday, ending a successful 18-month training partnership. the tragedy associated with their stable just four days ago.
The Paynes lost three young horses in a road accident which also claimed the life of 59-year-old lorry driver Peter Butler. Employed by South West Horse Transport, he was a regular attendant at their stables.
“The accident was so bad, nobody could have expected that something like that could happen,” Payne said.
“Our hearts go out to Peter and his family and Southwest (Equestrian).”
As usual, the elegant Payne arrived at Flemington on Thursday with a lovely smile. He had overcome another trying period of misery.
The statue is a testament not only to his ability to make history as a jockey, but also to his depression.
The bronze sculpture will be visible to racegoers as they first enter the course from Epsom Road, standing by the new platform next to the bookmakers’ ring.
It is now one of five statues at Flemington, along with Roy Higgins, Bart Cummings, Phar Lap and Makybe Diva.
“A day like today lifts the spirits,” Payne said.
Payne has experienced exciting highs and tragic lows throughout his career, and, indeed, his life.
Winning the 2015 Melbourne Cup was her Everest, as she was the first woman to ride the winner of our famous race.
It was a time she first dreamed of as a girl at the age of five, a goal that took shape during her formative years.
But hardship was never far away.
He lost his mother Mary in a road accident when he was six months old. He has lost two of his 10 siblings, and in September last year, his nephew and stalwart Tom Prebble fell from a horse and suffered a spinal cord injury that left him in a wheelchair.
As a jockey, he suffered several serious falls that almost ended his career early.
But through it all, Payne vowed to stay positive.
“You have to roll with the punches. Things don’t go well,” he said.
“Same as me and Patrick breaking the partnership, you know we are still brother and sister, we have a great relationship, and it’s not the end of the world.
“It’s a different look, and we’re all looking forward to that.”
Payne said having a statue that acknowledged his 2015 Melbourne Cup win with 100-1 shot Prince Of Penzance was “an incredible honor and an incredible privilege”.
He said artist Judith Leman has created a likeness for herself which she described as proud and resilient.
“I had to work hard for it (to win the Cup), and that’s what the statue shows today,” he said.
Payne’s victory broke the glass ceiling. He would eloquently declare in his post-race speech that running is a “foul sport”.
“Honestly, I didn’t know what was coming out of my mouth. It was just raw emotion,” he said on Thursday.
“But we had won the Melbourne Cup, so it seemed like the right time to stand up and say something about the years of fighting and hard work.
“I stand by those words strongly, and I’m proud that our industry is changing and becoming more inclusive.”
Payne said he hopes the statue will inspire children to follow their dreams.
“I’m very proud that we got to see another female jockey win a race last year in Jamie Kah (Melham) because it’s really important that we continue to get opportunities. Not just get them but make the most of them,” Payne said.
“I was lucky enough to grow up in a racing family, but my older sisters were at an age when it was very difficult to dream about the Melbourne Cup.
“So I feel very lucky that I was younger, and I just looked and thought, ‘wow, that’s one day I want to achieve’.
“So how fortunate I was at the right time, and all the young girls coming up and women who hope to achieve the same thing, can look at (the statue) and see that it’s all attainable.”
The statue was sculpted by Leman and funded by philanthropist Lady Marigold Southey AC. The concept was backed by retired caller Bryan Martin and launched by Victoria Racing Club chairman Neil Wilson.
Payne said he will now dream of winning the Cup as a coach.
“What are you doing again?” He said.
“I’ll only have a small team, but a very good team of horses that I have on my farm in Ballarat, which is nice and close to Dad and (brother) Stevie, which is a time I think is very important (to be close to them)).
“And, who knows, I have a few exciting prospects.”
Racing returns to Flemington on Saturday for the Australian Cup meeting. 2600m event winner Roy Higgins will get an automatic entry into this year’s Melbourne Cup.
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