Horse racing fans are expressing their sadness after Michelle Payne and brother Patrick announced the end of their training partnership. The brother and sister duo had been working together since 2024, training 315 horses for 41 wins.
But they announced on Friday that the partnership will end in coming weeks. A statement read: “We wish to inform you that Patrick and Michelle have decided to dissolve the current training partnership as of April 1st 2026. This has been a thoughtful decision made with the future in mind, and we are grateful for the support you have given us while training together.”
Michelle Payne and brother Patrick have ended their training partnership. Image: Getty
Patrick will continue his full training operation, while Michelle will take a step back in a reduced role working alongside her father Paddy. “Michelle will be stepping back from the larger training operation to focus on a smaller team at home, working closer to her father and retaining a few horses in Ballarat,” the statement said.
“Patrick Payne Racing will continue as a full training operation. Patrick will remain in control of the horses at his current training property. Our priority is to make this transition as smooth and straightforward as possible for both owners and horses.”
Michelle Payne became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015 aboard Prince of Penzance. She was on hand to celebrate with Jamie Melham when she became the second last year with Half Yours. Michelle continued riding until 2024, riding Patrick-trained horses to 94 wins in her career.
Patrick and Michelle Payne in 2016.
(Racing Photos via Getty Images)Tragedy just days before Michelle Payne announcement
The decision to end their partnership comes just days after Payne Racing were left devastated by a fatal road crash that killed a driver and three horses. Peter Butler died after the horse transport truck he was driving rolled in Meredith – near Geelong – on Monday morning.
“Peter brought character and laughter to our jumpout mornings, and he will be sorely missed as a regular at our stable,” Payne Racing said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the team at South West Horse Transport, Peter’s work colleagues Troy, Bruce and Brooke.
“We would like to thank the emergency services and responders who attended the scene including Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Country Fire Authority and SES volunteers and for the countless locals and members of the public who assisted at the scene. A special mention and thank you to the veterinarians and the entire team at Golden Plains Equine, we thank you for taking care of the six injured horses who survived.
“We have now lost a total of three unraced horses, our heart goes out to the owners of those lost and to the owners of those whom were injured and still receiving care. We can assure all horses received the best of care and were attended to ASAP and we are truly grateful to everyone who assisted in making this possible. This accident has deeply impacted the entire team as well as the wider racing community and we thank you for your support.”
On Friday, fans expressed their sadness on social media that Michelle and Patrick have now gone their separate ways just days after the tragedy. One wrote, “That’s sad”, while another commented: “Difficult week.”
Another wrote: “Bless. Michelle has a lot of commitments with being the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup. I don’t know how she juggles both.”