MICHELLE PAYNE
A fear of flaunting
FORMER Melbourne Cup winner MICHELLE PAYNE says the biggest challenge of her victory at Flemington was having to “flaunt” herself as a public figure.
“From the moment I stepped off Prince of Penzance (the 2015 Cupwinning horse that Payne rode), my life changed instantly. To think a threeminute race can change your life forever is phenomenal.
“To be recognised worldwide, and to have a movie and a book about myself is incredible. It changes everything. One race can change so much.”
Payne said the biggest adjustment was living life in the spotlight.
“One of the biggest challenges of my life was adapting to a different world,” she said.
“All of my life, before winning the Melbourne Cup, was training and dedicating myself to the sport, and being the best you can be.
“That means you aren’t really a people person or flaunting yourself around.
“I was not prepared for any of it. I had to adapt to that quickly.
“Now I’m at a point where I’m enjoying it and making the most of opportunities that come my way.”
These days, Payne says she’s facing another set of challenges running her own horse training business.
“It’s a lot harder than I expected,” she said.
“I have a great team, and we’ve got some lovely horses we’ve worked hard to get, from Germany, New Zealand, and we’re looking to buy a horse from France.”
Payne said she’s learning to run a team.
“As a jockey, you’re a sole trader, you look after yourself, you have a manager, and you’re focused on you,” she said. “It’s a little bit selfish.
“But as a trainer, you’ve got a whole team you have to support; your staff, the owners and you have a business to run.”
Payne, now a successful trainer, is fast making a name for herself in the commentary box. On Tuesday she was an expert commentator for Channel 10.
She said it was exciting to see some big crowds return to Flemington after lockdowns: “It’s been empty grandstands and empty lawns for two years, but it feels like the stars have aligned to let everything reopen.”
“From the moment I stepped off Prince of Penzance (the 2015 Cupwinning horse that Payne rode), my life changed instantly. To think a threeminute race can change your life forever is phenomenal.
“To be recognised worldwide, and to have a movie and a book about myself is incredible. It changes everything. One race can change so much.”
Payne said the biggest adjustment was living life in the spotlight.
“One of the biggest challenges of my life was adapting to a different world,” she said.
“All of my life, before winning the Melbourne Cup, was training and dedicating myself to the sport, and being the best you can be.
“That means you aren’t really a people person or flaunting yourself around.
“I was not prepared for any of it. I had to adapt to that quickly.
“Now I’m at a point where I’m enjoying it and making the most of opportunities that come my way.”
These days, Payne says she’s facing another set of challenges running her own horse training business.
“It’s a lot harder than I expected,” she said.
“I have a great team, and we’ve got some lovely horses we’ve worked hard to get, from Germany, New Zealand, and we’re looking to buy a horse from France.”
Payne said she’s learning to run a team.
“As a jockey, you’re a sole trader, you look after yourself, you have a manager, and you’re focused on you,” she said. “It’s a little bit selfish.
“But as a trainer, you’ve got a whole team you have to support; your staff, the owners and you have a business to run.”
Payne, now a successful trainer, is fast making a name for herself in the commentary box. On Tuesday she was an expert commentator for Channel 10.
She said it was exciting to see some big crowds return to Flemington after lockdowns: “It’s been empty grandstands and empty lawns for two years, but it feels like the stars have aligned to let everything reopen.”