Patrick Payne and Michelle Payne have confirmed they will go their separate ways professionally, announcing the end of their training partnership effective April 1, 2026.
The sibling duo released a joint statement on Friday outlining their decision to split after a relatively short but productive period working together.
”We wish to inform you that Patrick and Michelle have decided to dissolve the current training partnership as of April 1st 2026,” the statement said.
”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.”
Both Payne siblings will remain active within the racing industry, albeit with different focuses moving forward.
”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.”
The partnership, which began in late 2024, produced 41 winners from 315 runners.
The news comes after the stable suffered a devastating loss of three horses and a further five injured in a float crash near Meredith on Tuesday which also claimed the life of driver Peter Butler.
