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Michelle Payne hits out at gender inequality in 'chauvinistic' horse racing after becoming first female jockey to win Melbourne Cup

Payne was also only the fourth female to compete in the race

James Orr
Tuesday 03 November 2015 10:02 GMT
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Michelle Payne celebrates her Melbourne Cup triumph
Michelle Payne celebrates her Melbourne Cup triumph

Michelle Payne created history as she became the first female rider to win the Emirates Melbourne Cup aboard outsider Prince of Penzance at Flemington in Australia – and then hit out against chauvinism in the sport.

The Australian won on Prince of Penzance despite being a 100-1 outsider with British bookmakers and 66-1 locally. French horse Max Dynamite, ridden by Frankie Dettori, finished second and New Zealand horse Criterion third.

Payne then had some strong words for the sport after her triumph, and criticised gender inequality in racing, saying those who think women are not good enough can "get stuffed".

"It's such a chauvinistic sport, I know some of the owners wanted to kick me off," said Payne, who has fought back from life-threatening race injuries.

"Everyone else can get stuffed [who] think women aren’t good enough.

"It's a very male-dominated sport and people think we [women] are not strong enough and all of the rest of it, but it's not all about strength.

Michelle Payne rides to victory in Melbourne

"There is so much more involved, getting the horse into a rhythm, getting the horse to try for you.

"It's being patient and I'm so glad to win the Melbourne Cup and, hopefully, it will help female jockeys from now on to get more of a go. We don't get enough of a go."

However, Payne's landmark victory was overshadowed by a suspected fetlock injury sustained by Ed Dunlop's popular veteran Red Cadeaux, who was pulled up before the line in his fifth outing in the two-mile feature.

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