#214 Michelle Payne: The Melbourne Cup winner on making history, tragedy & the dark side of fame

Oct 29, 2025
1h 30m

Episode Description

Michelle Payne is an Australian horse racing icon and the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015, riding Prince of Penzance to victory and breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport.

Ten years on from that magical win, I speak to her about:

  • Growing up with ten siblings
  • Making history as the only female to win the Cup
  • The dark side of fame
  • Brain injuries from her career
  • Dealing with the loss of her sister
  • The role of faith
  • Her living and working relationship with her brother Stevie
  • Her new books & what she’s working on now

Purchase Michelle’s new book here: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Michelle-Payne-and-Angus-Fontaine-Ride-On-9781761473142


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