Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne has announced she is expecting her first child with partner Gabriel Ribeiro.
Payne, who has retired from race riding and now trains horses, shared the exciting news on her Instagram Stories on Saturday night.
“Little love is coming,” Payne posted alongside the announcement.
The pregnancy marks another milestone in the life of one of Australian racing’s most recognisable figures.
Payne etched her name into sporting history in 2015 when she became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, partnering Prince Of Penzance to a famous victory at Flemington.
Since retiring from the saddle, Payne has remained heavily involved in the racing industry through her training career while also advocating for the welfare and retraining of retired thoroughbreds.
The announcement was warmly received by the racing community, with Payne set to embark on an exciting new chapter away from the racetrack.
