Michelle Payne

“Racing is my passion and I've been able to have a good life anyway. I've been able to travel the world, so I'm not complaining.”

“There was an interview with me when I was nine years old. They showed it on the local news and I said: 'I want to win the Melbourne Cup.' My friends used to tease me and make fun of what I said. So, yeah, it was pretty funny I did win it in the end.”

“Then we went across the line, and I was like 'Oh my god, we just won the Melbourne Cup.'”

“But many people doubt female riders because they say we're not strong enough.”

“For three months I was brain damaged. I couldn't think like before and I was so scared. I didn't know if I could go on living like that. But it helped that the doctors told me I'd get better and your brain is amazing. It can recover.”

“I'm working my horses every day and absolutely loving it. I'm training seven horses but I'm looking to build to 16.”

“It's a tough world but female jockeys have been successful so many times that hopefully the perception of riding against the boys will change and we will gain more opportunities.”

“I used to say to myself when I was seven years old that I couldn't wait to get older so I could make money and buy my own clothes. I had a lot of sisters, so as we got older the hand-me-downs got better, but it wasn't until I was about 15 that I was able to buy my own stuff.”

“Everybody gets caught up in everything, but at the end of the day we're all just here for a short time, so we may as well enjoy it.”

“I always grew up thinking how amazing my dad was, how strong he was.”

“I do believe my mum looks after me, and I feel so much faith thinking that she is riding with me and is with me in everyday life, whenever I need her.”

“My sisters and brothers come up a fair bit for dinner at home. It's basically a normal life; a normal family home. Dad cooks and we also take turns. If it's my turn, I like to do a roast lamb or spaghetti bolognaise.”

“I had great faith in Prince Of Penzance, from the moment I rode him for the first time.”

“I think it's important for people to see how much more people with Down syndrome can get out of life when given responsibilities.”

“Racing is a funny industry. One week you can be going terrible and the next week you're on top of the world. So you just keep showing up: I keep working harder to get more opportunities, but what do you do - that's life.”

“The female touch is a lot softer than the guys and some horses just respond better to that. Who's to say we're not stronger in the finish anyway?”

“But it's been perfect - where you grew up is where you relax. It's been the most perfect thing to have the country lifestyle again after my fall and after the Melbourne Cup.”

“It's such a chauvinistic sport, a lot of the owners wanted to kick me off.”

“It's about technique and getting your horse to stretch for you and to give you everything that it's got.”

“It's not all about strength, there is so much more involved, getting the horse into a rhythm, getting the horse to try for you, it's being patient and I'm so glad to win Melbourne Cup and hopefully, it will help female jockeys from now on to get more of a go.”