Home » Sport » Inside jockey Michelle Payne’s incredible life – childhood tragedy to shock 100-1 victory, royal pals and glam Ascot job | The Sun
Inside jockey Michelle Payne’s incredible life – childhood tragedy to shock 100-1 victory, royal pals and glam Ascot job | The Sun
GROWING up on a farm as the youngest of 10 siblings in rural Australia, Michelle Payne had big dreams.
At the age of five she vowed to one day become the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup, the country's most famous horse race.
Two decades later Michelle achieved her lifelong ambition, despite being a rank outsider with odds of 100-1, and remains the only female to ever lift the coveted trophy.
Her inspirational story saw her life turned into a film in 2019, with Hollywood superstar Sam Neill playing her dad.
Michelle, now 37, who is a new addition to ITV's pundit team at Royal Ascot, tells The Sun she initially found fame overwhelming, but has learned to take it in her stride.
And Royal Ascot won't be the first time she's brushed shoulders with royalty, having previously ridden at the event, met King Charles and hung out with Zara Tindall.
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"I met Charles and Queen Camilla just after I had won the Melbourne Cup in Cumbria and I was lucky enough to attend a dinner with them", she beams.
"I've also met Zara and Mike Tindall – she has come over to Australia quite a few times and I love her.
"She loves her horse racing and loves her horses. She's so much fun and it's been great to meet them."
At just six months old, Michelle's family suffered the worst tragedy imaginable when her mum Mary was killed in a car accident while driving her older siblings to school.
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