Groundbreaking Melbourne Cup winning-jockey Michelle Payne makes bombshell retirement announcement

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne has confirmed she will retire from racing after this season to focus primarily on training horses.

The 38-year-old stopped the nation in its tracks when she rode Prince of Penzance to victory in the 2015 Melbourne Cup, becoming the first female jockey to lift the trophy in the race’s history.

Payne never could have imagined the path the groundbreaking victory would lead her on, but she has finally decided she needs a change of pace.

Payne told News Corp that she almost didn’t qualify for a racing license this year because she hadn’t raced enough – and that was the sign she had to retire.

‘I was looking for a sign when it felt right. And this was it,” Payne said.

Payne says this season will be her last as a jockey before she focuses on training horses

‘Since winning the Cup I have been asked so many times: “When are you going to retire?” I understand why.

‘Winning was my ultimate goal, so I was lost for a while afterwards. But I didn’t want to panic and now, (after) eight years, it feels like the right time.”

Payne suffered six major concussions during her track career, including a horrific fall at Sandown that left her with brain bruising and a fractured skull in 2004, when she was just 18.

She now welcomes some time away from the physical demands of competing.

“It’s hard to stay in shape for competitive racing,” she explains.

‘It’s a lot of work, both physically and mentally. But I have ridden very well this year because I see the end in sight. I’m really motivated. My body feels great.

“I have a really nice young team with horses that have raced well and I’m just enjoying it while it lasts.”

Payne is happy to still be working in the sport as a trainer, but says nothing compares to winning a big race as a jockey.

Payne will go down in history as the only woman to win the famous Melbourne Cup

“Being a jockey is a whole different adrenaline rush that you can’t even imagine,” she said.

‘Being outside, participating in competitions and the connection with the horse is probably what I will miss the most. It’s something very special, the bond you form. Especially now with training and (riding) it in a competition.

“That’s probably going to be the hardest thing to walk away from. But I knew it was coming and mentally prepared myself for it.”

The pioneering jockey says she will now have a little more time to be more social – and she is looking forward to that.

“If you want to compete well, you have to really dedicate yourself to what you do,” she said.

“So you just have to give it a miss. If you do it half-heartedly, you will not get the result. I sacrificed that for so many years.”

“I’m looking forward to being more social and having more fun and adventure.”