First female jockey to win Melbourne Cup does so at 100-1
A female rider has won Australia’s famous Melbourne Cup for the first time.
Michelle Payne took the race aboard the Darren Weir-trained Prince Of Penzance, which was sent off as a 100-1 shot.
Michelle was only the fourth female to ride in the race in its 155-year history and told critics to “get stuffed because women can do anything and beat the world”.
The race was held at Flemington racecourse today (3 November) worth A$6.2m (£2.9m).
“My sister and I had a feeling I was going to win, and it turned out exactly how I thought it would,” Michelle told Australian press.
“It’s a very male-dominated sport and people think we [women] are not strong enough and all of the rest of it, but it’s not all about strength.
“There is so much more involved, getting the horse into a rhythm, getting the horse to try for you.
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“It’s being patient and I’m so glad to win the Melbourne Cup and, hopefully, it will help female jockeys from now on to get more of a go. We don’t get enough of a go.”
Max Dynamite finished second with Criterion in third.
Jockey Frankie Dettori picked up a month-long ban plus a A$20,000 (£9,326) fine for careless riding aboard the runner up.
Meanwhile long-term campaigner Red Cadeaux has been retired after sustaining a serious injury in the race.
The nine-year-old fractured a fetlock during the race, but is reported to have come through surgery and is in a stable condition.
He will have further surgery tomorrow (Wednesday, 4 November).
Trainer Ed Dunlop said: “Many thanks for your kind messages. I left Red eating hay and he is comfortable, he is in great hands. Fingers crossed.”
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.