The Victoria Racing Club have unveiled a statue of national racing icon Michelle Payne at Flemington Racecourse, cementing her place among the sport's most celebrated figures. This is the fifth statue to be unveiled at Flemington Racecourse alongside racing icons Bart Cummings and Roy Higgins and equine legends Phar Lap and Makybe Diva.
Michelle shot to superstardom in 2015 when she became the first female jockey in history to win Australia's most iconic race - the Melbourne Cup aboard Prince of Penzance. Riding a 100-to-1 outsider, she delivered one of sport's most improbable victories, silencing sceptics in an industry that had long doubted whether women belonged in the saddle at the highest level.
The moment resonated far beyond horse racing. A decade after capturing global attention as the first female jockey to win the Cup, aboard Prince of Penzance, Payne's statue was unveiled in front of family, friends and supporters. For Payne herself, the recognition proved deeply moving. Michelle Payne OAM said she felt privileged to be recognised alongside some of the sport's most celebrated figures, calling the statue "truly extraordinary; it feels very surreal".
The recognition acknowledges more than a single victory, however extraordinary. Payne said her hope is that everyone who views this statue feels encouraged to chase their dreams and ambitions, no matter how big they are. Since stepping back from race riding in 2024, she has continued to shape the sport through training, working in partnership with her brother Patrick while appearing as a racing analyst and motivational speaker.
VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said Michelle is an inspiration to countless Australians, and a powerful ambassador for female participation and the sport of horse racing. Her legacy extends across institutional change, cultural representation, and the tangible opening of doors that once seemed closed. For a young sport searching for broader engagement and relevance, Payne's victory and the conversation it sparked have proven enduring.