RACING is in mourning after the death of legendary figure and loving dad of ten Paddy Payne Snr – the father of trailblazing jockey Michelle.
Patriarch of one of the sport’s greatest dynasties, beloved Paddy, who has passed aged 90, saw Michelle become the first woman in history to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015.
Michelle was one of ten children Paddy had with late wife Mary, who tragically died in a car crash in 1986.
He raised his huge family alone and had immense pride in seeing eight of them go onto become professional jockeys, with son Patrick a Group 1-winning rider and trainer.
From ‘humble beginnings’ in South Taranaki, New Zealand, Paddy Snr took that underdog spirit to his buying and training of horses.
He purchased Our Paddy Boy for a few hundred quid in the early 1970s and watched him become a Group 1 winner before being sold for more than £150,000.
Those funds allowed the Payne family to move to Australia and set up home near Ballarat, a city in Victoria, where Paddy had success with horses who didn’t boast fancy pedigrees.
Paddy lived at the family home in Miners Rest until his passing, saddling his final runner, Nip, in March this year, ten days shy of his 90th birthday.
His last winner came at the age of 88 when Rosalia bagged a sixth win at home track Ballarat a little over two years ago.
Michelle wrote on social media: “RIP Dad. You finally get to go and see Mum again.”
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Her sister Therese said in a statement: “He passed away peacefully in his sleep, early this morning at home.
“He got to have his dying wish.
“We feel he had a great life and we were happy he was comfortable.
“We hope he’s joined our mum and brother and sisters.”
Racing Victoria Chief Executive, Aaron Morrison, said: “On behalf of Racing Victoria and the entire Victorian thoroughbred racing industry, I’d like to express my condolences to all of the Paynes and their wider families on the passing of Paddy Payne Snr.
“Paddy was the doyen of a family that has greatly enriched Australian racing and provided us with so many great memories.
“Whilst Paddy has passed, his contribution to the sport will not be forgotten and his legacy will live on.
“Paddy will be remembered as a great horseman and a loving father.
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“His positive influence on female jockey participation cannot be undersold, having encouraged his daughters to ride at a time when female jockeys were fighting for acceptance.
“He took great pride in the achievements of his children, along with their partners, and can rest peacefully in the knowledge that he has left the world a better place for his existence.”