The Australian racing world is united in grief following the passing of the celebrated Ballarat horseman Paddy Payne Snr at the age of 90. He was the revered patriarch of one of the nation’s most distinguished racing dynasties.
Paddy and his late wife, Mary, were parents to ten children, a significant number of whom went on to forge careers in the racing industry, with eight becoming professional jockeys. This lineage firmly established the Payne surname as a household name in Australian racing.
Their son, Patrick, has achieved considerable success, earning Group 1 accolades as a jockey, including his memorable 2002 Cox Plate win on the champion Northerly, and more recently, has excelled as a trainer.
Patrick’s daughter, Michelle, also claimed multiple Group 1 victories, notably etching her name in history as the first female jockey to win the prestigious Melbourne Cup in 2015 aboard Prince Of Penzance, a landmark achievement at Flemington.
Originally hailing from New Zealand, Payne was involved in dairy farming and horse training during the late 1970s. He acquired the promising yearling, Our Paddy Boy, for a modest $1300.
Our Paddy Boy secured Group 1 success in the 1980 Ellerslie Sires before Payne sold the horse to Robert Sangster for $300,000, a substantial sum for that period. This sale provided the financial means for the Payne family to relocate to Ballarat and establish their prominent training operation.
Tragedy struck the family when Mary Payne was tragically killed in a car accident in 1986, leaving Paddy to raise their ten children. Further sorrow was experienced with the passing of their daughter Bernadette, aged 51, last year, and daughter Brigid, who succumbed to a heart attack in 2007 at the age of 36.
Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison paid tribute, stating that Paddy Payne was the “doyen of a family that has greatly enriched Australian racing and provided us with so many great memories.”
Morrison added, “Whilst Paddy has passed, his contribution to the sport will not be forgotten and his legacy will live on.” He further remarked, “Paddy will be remembered as a great horseman and a loving father. His positive influence on female jockey participation cannot be undersold, having encouraged his daughters to ride at a time when female jockeys were fighting for acceptance.” Morrison concluded, “He took great pride in the achievements of his children, along with their partners, and can rest peacefully in the knowledge that he has left the world a better place for his existence.”
Stephen Bell, chief executive of the Australian Trainers Association, recognised Payne as a respected horseman who held a trainer’s licence in Victoria for over four decades. Bell commented, “His role in nurturing a family that has contributed so much to racing is legendary and something that we all respect and are thankful for.”
Ballarat Turf Club chairman Bill Gribble described Payne as a “highly respected figure whose contribution to racing extended well beyond the racetrack.” Gribble further stated, “Paddy was the patriarch of one of Australian racing’s most remarkable families, and his influence, horsemanship and dedication to the industry will leave a lasting legacy.”
Payne continued to train until early this year, with his final runner, Nip, competing at Kilmore in March. He achieved his last training victory at the age of 88 when Rosalia won at Ballarat in August two years ago.
Payne Snr is survived by his children Therese, Maree, Cathy, Margaret, Patrick, Andrew, Stevie and Michelle, in addition to his extensive family and grandchildren.
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