Michelle Payne won last night's 'The Don' award for her Melbourne Cup win
Jockey Michelle Payne last night took out ‘The Don’ award for the nations most inspiring sporting performance.
Michelle was nominated for her Melbourne Cup win on Prince Of Penzance last year which saw her become the first female jockey to ever ride a Cup winner.
When receiving her award she said she felt overwhelmed;
“To be honest I could not even prepare a speech for tonight because I felt as though I didn’t deserve it among the company that I was in,’’ Payne said.
“I can’t believe it, I’m absolutely overwhelmed with winning the award and it’s just an honour to be here.
Payne beat a star studded field which included Olympic gold medallists Kim Brennan and Kyle Chalmers.
Michelle Payne is hopeful of picking up a ride in this years Melbourne Cup but it is unlikely she will ever partner her Cup winning Prince after he received surgery on a leg earlier this week likely ruling him out of racing again.
Michelle receiving her award:
Congratulations to @mj_payne on being awarded the prestigious The Don award tonight, such an incredible achievement @SportAusHoF pic.twitter.com/a2EIpHtrgx
— Racing Victoria (@RacingInsider) October 13, 2016
