History maker Michelle Payne announces plans to retire as a jockey next year

25 May 2023 , 11:26

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Michelle Payne: the Melbourne Cup winner will retire next year (Image: Rex)

Michelle Payne, the only female jockey to win the Australia's biggest horse race, the Melbourne Cup, has announced plans to retire next year.

Payne, 37, made history in 2015 when she steered 100-1 chance Prince Of Penzance to victory at Flemington when she famously told those who had doubted her to “get stuffed”.

Her story was made into a movie, Ride Like A Girl, which was released in 2019.

For the last six years Payne, who has ridden 766 winners, has combined her riding with her training business, which she has decided to focus fully on after the 2023-24 campaign.

"I've been waiting for when the time was going to feel right and it feels like the end, but I'm looking forward to hopefully having a good season," Payne told Racenet.

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"I've been weaning off for a while with my riding, I obviously still love it and am passionate about it but you’ve got to be realistic and things come to an end at some point.

"First of all, I'm looking forward to this last season and what comes beyond that."

Payne has only ridden seven times since August last year and is aiming to increase her mounts to at least 24 before the end of July in order to qualify for another licence in Victoria

"It's a big juggling act and I love it, while I'm still young and energetic enough for it, but I'm planning for the future," Payne said.

"I've been full-on in racing since I was 15 years old, so to take a little bit of back step and enjoy it will be nice as well.

"I think knowing that (next season) will be it will add fuel to the fire, I'm really looking forward to it."

Jon Lees