Legendary horseman and patriarch of the famous Australian racing family, Paddy Payne Sr, has died aged 90.
He was father of Michelle Payne, the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup, and husband to late Mary Payne, whom he had 10 children with.
Daughter Michelle took to social media to pay a tribute to her father, saying “RIP Dad. You finally get to go and see Mum again”.
Paddy Payne (left) with daughter Michelle (centre) and son Stevie (right). (ABC Ballarat: Dominic Cansdale)
Racing Victoria issued a statement acknowledging the passing of the “legendary Ballarat horseman”.
“Paddy was the patriarch of the Payne family as they established themselves as one of the most famous surnames in Australian racing,” the statement continued.
Racing Victoria Chief Executive Aaron Morrison said “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.”
Eight of Payne’s 10 children became professional jockeys.
Daughter Michelle enjoyed multiple Group One triumphs, including her trailblazing 2015 Melbourne Cup win.
Michelle Payne’s father never doubted her
Son Patrick also achieved great success in Group One racing, both as a jockey and a trainer.
Paddy Payne was immortalised in a film about Michelle’s Melbourne Cup victory titled Ride Like a Girl, where he was played by the late Sam Neill.
Payne’s wife Mary died in a car accident in 1986, leaving him to raise their children when Michelle was just six months old.
Later in life, two of his daughters died — Brigid in 2007 and Bernadette in 2025 — both were jockeys.
In an interview with the ABC in 2015, Payne said: “We’ve had some good success and some bad luck as well.”
“We’re a close family and we get on good and my kids get on good, it’s lovely for me to see that.”