Jockey Michelle Payne has been left with four fractured vertebrae and broken ribs in the aftermath of a fall at Sunday’s Donald race meeting.
Payne was taken to the local hospital after the fall which happened when her mount El Devine knuckled over coming out of the barriers in the first race, tossing her over his head.
She was later transferred to her home town hospital at Ballarat where the fractures were confirmed on Sunday night along with bruising and a laceration to her face.
Payne was in good spirits, using twitter to tell her supporters of her injuries.
“Thanks everyone for your msg’s. 4 stable fractured vertebrates and maybe a crack in my collar bone. Not as bad as it sounds!” Payne said later adding: “Just found out a couple of ribs too, explains why moving is so painful!”
Payne is the youngest member of the famous Victorian racing family and the eighth of 11 children to become a jockey.
Her brother Patrick is now a successful trainer after a stellar career in the saddle which ended due to weight problems and included a Cox Plate aboard Northerly.
Now 26, Michelle Payne rode her first winner at her first ride at the age of 15 for her trainer father Paddy.
Her family tried to convince her to give up riding after a March 2004 fall which left her with a fractured skull and bruising to her brain.
She recovered from those injuries and has gone on to win four Group One races on Allez Wonder and Yosei.
