By Andrew Adermann
Melbourne Cup winner Michelle Payne believes her satellite stable on the Sunshine Coast is the logical next step for her fledgling training career.
Earlier this month, Payne announced plans to open up a stable in the Sunshine State on top of her existing operation at Ballarat, to be run by fellow Group 1-winning jockey and close friend Nikita Beriman.
“Queensland just makes sense; having horses in the colder environment all year round can be tough on them, and it’s much nicer for them to get the sun on their back – especially the younger horses,” Payne said.
“When Nikita said she was keen to help me set up a base up here, I absolutely jumped at the opportunity because she’s a great horsewoman and you really need someone on your side who’s 100% in it.
“It would be a great lifestyle not only for the horses, but for myself to get up here in the sunshine and be involved up here.”
Beriman enjoyed considerable success as a jockey, claiming 695 career victories on her way to becoming the first ever female jockey in Victoria to win a Group 1 when taking out the Emirate Stakes on Tears I Cry in 2007.
Payne and Beriman forged a close relationship riding against each other for the better part of two decades, and the former couldn’t think of anyone more ideal to take charge of the Queensland operation.
“Nikita just seemed the perfect fit for me; she’s retired from riding and had a baby so she’s keen to get back out there again,” Payne said.
“We’ve ridden against each other for 20 years and we’re really good mates; when she puts her heart and soul into something she gives 200% and I can really get that feeling from her that she’s all in and that she’s really excited about it.
“That’s so important for me to know that I’ve got someone passionately running the stables up here, so it was just the perfect fit and it’s going to be a lot of fun to work with her.”
Payne pointed to the renowned Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme, as well as increases to prize money state-wide as one of the key factors in making the decision to look north.
“With the increased prize money and the QTIS scheme, it’s an absolute bonus for me,” she said.
“It’s a great scheme for owners and we’re really hoping to get a broader spectrum of owners into racing.
“I’ve had a lot of people approach me via my social media channels wanting to get involved and to be able to introduce people to racing and the excitement of it – even if you only have one percent – it’s just so much fun.”
The 35-year-old is is hoping to have her Sunshine Coast stable off the ground and operating by May, in time for the TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.
“We’re really keen to get some yearlings here at the sales, and we have some really nice horses back at home that we’d be keen to bring up for the Carnival if they were going well enough,” Payne said.
“I think that Carnival would be a great way to kick us off.
“We’re looking at purchasing a property just near the racecourse, which is very similar to what I have in Ballarat, so if we can get that up and running by May it will be a very exciting way to kick it all off.”
Whilst still taking the occasional race ride, Payne has transitioned into training over the recent years, and believes that’s where her future in the industry now lies.
“I was always looking for something to go into after riding because as a jockey you put in everything to be at your best, but I had to look at something after riding,” Payne said.
“Training was the next best thing; it still has that rush, you’re still working with the horses every day, and you still get that experience of taking the horse to the races and watching them race.
“My two older brothers – Patrick and Andrew – are training and I watched them go into that and thought ‘that’s for me’ and I just love working with horses and being out on the farm with them, and we’re really excited about opening up our stable here in Queensland.”
Payne famously made history in 2015 when becoming the first female jockey to win a Melbourne Cup, aboard rank 100-1 outsider Prince Of Penzance.
She has continued to be an integral voice for females in the industry and is looking forward to being able to work with some of the talented young riders hoping to make their name in the sport.
“Steph (Thornton) is good friends with Nikita and I know her really well from Melbourne; she’s absolutely flying so we’d love to be able to make the most of her services if she can because she’s getting very popular but I’m sure she’ll pop her head in and be a part of the team,” Payne said.
“It’s fantastic to see that the girls are doing so well and getting the opportunities from the big stables like Godolphin and the big trainers.
“It’s really exciting times and it’s a real move in the mould of racing to see these girls doing so well and getting the opportunities.”