National icon Michelle Payne OAM saddles up as 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador

Michelle shot to world-wide fame and stardom in 2015 when she became the first and only female jockey to win Australia’s most iconic race aboard Prince of Penzance, who is now enjoying retirement at Living Legends.

Almost a decade since her history making win, she has become a role model for many young girls and was the inspiration behind film Ride Like A Girl, directed by Academy Award nominated actress Rachel Griffiths AM.

After a successful twenty-year career in the saddle, Michelle made the decision this year to retire from race riding earlier this year and has joined forces with her brother and Group 1 winning trainer Patrick Payne in a training partnership.

Based just outside of Melbourne, Michelle remains very hands on with the family business, caring for and educating horses throughout their racing career.

Michelle will appear on the Nine Network and world international feed providing expert analysis and insight as part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival coverage.

And over the next 8 weeks she will join the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour visiting rural and regional communities including Rochester in Victoria where she grew up on a dairy farm.

Michelle is looking forward to her role with the VRC leading up to one of the world’s best weeks in racing.

“My life changed in 2015 when I was able to win the Lexus Melbourne Cup aboard Prince of Penzance at Flemington and it has been the most amazing journey since then, taking me to places I never dreamed of,” Ms Payne said.

“I am looking forward to sharing the magic of Melbourne Cup Week with the Australian public including getting on the road visiting local communities as part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.”

“Michelle is an inspiration for many Australians and is a fantastic advocate for the sport of horse racing and we are privileged to have her join us as an ambassador,” Ms Rogers said.

“Since winning the Lexus Melbourne Cup in 2015, Michelle has spent countless hours and time devoted to community initiatives and we look forward to having her a part of the team for this year’s carnival.”

The 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 2 November, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 5 November, Crown Oaks Day on Thursday 7 November and TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 9 November.

All the action can be seen live and free across the Nine Network, the official broadcast partner and new home of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.