'The great unmade Aussie sport story'
Michelle Payne has spoken out about the incredible opportunity of being a female sporting icon but says she wasn’t prepared for what would follow her history-making ride.
After fulfilling a lifelong dream to win the Melbourne Cup she became a national hero but remains a country girl who just wants to ride horses.
"As a jockey you dream to win the Melbourne Cup but you don’t prepare yourself for what might happen after that, and that’s an absolute whirlwind."
"Sometimes I think this isn’t what I signed up for… but then I take a step back and think it’s a privilege to be in this position and you might not like it but I try to embrace it and be the best role model I can be."
WATCH: Michelle Payne's first interview with Sunday Night
Overnight the 30-year-old's life was laid bare, her epic and unexpected win thrusting her into the spotlight, but now it will even be immortalised in film.
Celebrated Australian actor Rachel Griffiths says Michelle Payne’s journey to Melbourne Cup victory is the greatest untold Australian sporting story and has bought the rights to make it a movie.
Griffiths was on the phone right after the win trying to track down Michelle for a meeting and even ‘stalking’ her at a Sydney race meeting.
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“It’s an amazing story. It’s National Velvet isn’t it, she’s our National Velvet,” Rachel Griffiths said of the classic film starring Elizabeth Taylor.
"I think there’s an enormous appetite for stories like Michelle’s because what other sport are women competing side-by-side with men?"
A warm friendship developed between the respected Hollywood actor and Michelle, who did an exclusive interview with Melissa Doyle after she became the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup in November 2015.
Michelle captured the nation's attention with both her bold winning speech — telling people who underestimated women to 'get stuffed'.
"It was probably the thing that we as an audience least expected to hear in that moment and every woman around Australia sort of cheered," Griffiths said.
But it's her humility that made people love her and Michelle says her happiness still only comes from getting in the saddle.
"Sometimes I have a little smile to myself when I’m just back on the horse and it’s just myself on the horse and I just realized that’s what I love and sometimes I miss that."
Griffiths says she identified with the jockey's sudden fame and, with her considerable Hollywood clout, will to guide her through the process while creating an inspiring sporting epic.
“My first movie was hugely loved and literally, one Friday, nobody ever looked at me and then on Monday I had people double taking. It’s a very strange experience," Griffiths said.
Michelle's brother and strapper Stevie may even secure a starring role as himself.
"He’s like made to be famous I think he’s definitely cut out for it and he’s just loving every moment of it," Michelle said.
