Michelle Payne Quotes

I do believe my mum looks after me, and I feel so much faith thinking that she is riding with me and is with me in everyday life, whenever I need her.

Racing is my passion and I’ve been able to have a good life anyway. I’ve been able to travel the world, so I’m not complaining.

But many people doubt female riders because they say we’re not strong enough.

I think it’s important for people to see how much more people with Down syndrome can get out of life when given responsibilities.

I would like to thank all of the owners, John Richards specifically, I think he is the main man who kept me on Prince Of Penzance, maybe a few of them who wanted to take me off.

But it’s been perfect – where you grew up is where you relax. It’s been the most perfect thing to have the country lifestyle again after my fall and after the Melbourne Cup.

I had great faith in Prince Of Penzance, from the moment I rode him for the first time.

I’m working my horses every day and absolutely loving it. I’m training seven horses but I’m looking to build to 16.

There was an interview with me when I was nine years old. They showed it on the local news and I said: ‘I want to win the Melbourne Cup.’ My friends used to tease me and make fun of what I said. So, yeah, it was pretty funny I did win it in the end.

It’s such a chauvinistic sport, a lot of the owners wanted to kick me off.

I used to say to myself when I was seven years old that I couldn’t wait to get older so I could make money and buy my own clothes. I had a lot of sisters, so as we got older the hand-me-downs got better, but it wasn’t until I was about 15 that I was able to buy my own stuff.

The female touch is a lot softer than the guys and some horses just respond better to that. Who’s to say we’re not stronger in the finish anyway?