History was made in the early hours this morning in Australia as a female jockey won the Melbourne Cup for the first time since it's inaugural running in 1861.
Prince of Penzance won Australia's historic race with jockey Michelle Payne on board. The long shot started off at odds of 100/1 and held off the Willie Mullins trained Max Dynamite to second place.
New Zealand's Criterion came in third place with the Irish born Trip to Paris coming in fourth place. There was disappointment for Aidan O'Brien's two horses in the race with Bondi Beach and Kingfisher finishing in 16th and 19th respectively.
Speaking after her historic win, Payne said; “I would like to say that, you know, it’s a very male-dominated sport and people think we are not strong enough and all of the rest of it. It’s not all about strength, 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 Melbourne Cup and hopefully, it will help female jockeys from now on to get more of a go. Because, I believe that we sort of don’t get enough of a go and hopefully this will help.”
Payne spoke last weekend about potentially retiring after the race but didn't comment on her future after the historic win.
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