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'I'm done': Michelle Payne's war of words with champion horse's owners

Melbourne Cup winner Michelle Payne has lashed out after being denied the chance to repeat her historic ride on Prince of Penzance.

The owners have nixed Payne’s hopes of a repeat performance this year, saying they are worried about her health after a fall at Mildura earlier this year.

Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne (right) and her brother Steve pose for a photo with the Melbourne Cup at a homecoming parade in Ballarat. Photo: AAP
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne (right) and her brother Steve pose for a photo with the Melbourne Cup at a homecoming parade in Ballarat. Photo: AAP

In a tweet that she later deleted, Payne lashed out.

“Not anymore. I’m done. Why work your arse off for people who don’t appreciate what you do and write you off anyway,” she wrote.


Payne’s father Paddy says it is the wrong decision.

“She’s keen, she’s riding, she’s working very hard,” he said.

“I’m a bit surprised they’ve taken it off her.”

The owners of Prince of Penzance say they are concerned Payne has not fully recovered from her fall in May.

“We know she’s had some negative medical opinion about what would happen to her if she had another fall,” part-owner John Richards said.

He said he believed Payne's only option was retirement.

Prince of Penzance part-owner John Richards said the time had come for Michelle Payne to call it a day. Photo: 7 News
Prince of Penzance part-owner John Richards said the time had come for Michelle Payne to call it a day. Photo: 7 News

“She seems determined to continue with her riding career but we, as a riders group, don’t think that’s a very good decision.”

From here Payne’s career in the saddle remains uncertain. It is understood her friends, family and medical staff are also telling her to retire but she is refusing to let go, and still wants to ride in the Spring Carnival.

“She hasn’t race ridden for six to eight months so there’s no possible way she could commence riding now,” Mr Richards said.