The loving memory of Michelle Payne’s father that almost made her cry at school

Paddy Payne, the father of 2015 Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne, was known for his chaotic yet deeply loving personality. One story that highlighted both aspects of his character occurred in 1998 when he dropped off his youngest daughter, Michelle, for her first day at secondary school. At the time, Michelle was 13 and following in the footsteps of her sisters, who had attended Ballarat’s Loreto College. However, upon arriving at the school gates, Michelle discovered that her name was missing from the classroom lists. Confused, she and a friend went to the school’s front office, where they were informed that Michelle had not been enrolled. “I started to get a bit sad and was nearly crying, and they’re like, ‘don’t cry, it’s okay. We’ll call your dad,’” Michelle recounted in an interview. Soon after, the school called Paddy, who had already returned home from dropping off the girls. When told that Michelle had not been enrolled, he responded with characteristic honesty and humility. “Ah, haven’t I?” he reportedly said, realizing his oversight. “Oh, sorry about that.” The school staff reassured Michelle and worked quickly to find her a classroom. Michelle expressed gratitude for their understanding, noting that Paddy was doing his best despite being a single parent responsible for raising 10 children. Paddy Payne was born in Hawera, South Taranaki, New Zealand. His life took a dramatic turn in 1986 when his wife, Mary, died in a car accident near Ballarat. At the time, Michelle was just six months old, and there were discussions about distributing the younger children among other families. However, Paddy chose to raise all his children alone, determined to keep the family united. Michelle often reflected on her father’s influence. “My dad always talked about her to me, always told me what a beautiful lady she was,” she said during an interview when she was 24. She noted that it was difficult for the older siblings, who had memories of their mother, to discuss her. Paddy, however, shared his grief daily, which helped both him and Michelle process their loss. Under Paddy’s guidance, the family left a lasting impact on horse racing. Eight of the 10 children became jockeys, Brigid, Bernadette, Therese, Patrick, Andrew, Maree, Cathy, and Michelle. Only Margaret and Stevie did not compete in races. Later, Patrick, Andrew, and Michelle followed their father into training. Paddy passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Tuesday at the age of 90, fulfilling his dying wish. In a family statement, daughter Therese described his final days. “We feel he had a great life, and we were happy he was comfortable. We hope he’s joined our mum and brother and sisters.” The Paynes faced several tragedies throughout their lives. They lost their son Michael in 1985, just three days after his birth. Eldest sister Brigid died in 2007 from a heart attack, six months after a serious injury during track work. Second-eldest daughter Bernadette passed away in March of this year. Despite these losses, the family celebrated many successes. Patrick Jr won the 2002 Cox Plate on Northerly, and Michelle made history by becoming the first woman to ride the winner of the Melbourne Cup in 2015. Her achievements were featured in the film Ride Like a Girl, where Paddy was portrayed by Kiwi actor Sam Neill, and his youngest son, Stevie, played himself as the strapper of Prince Of Penzance. Michelle rode her first winner as a 15-year-old on...