Michelle Payne taken to hospital after Ararat fall

Jockey Michelle Payne was transported to Ballarat Hospital for observation after suffering a nasty fall in the first race at Ararat today and will miss the ride on Yosei in the Group 1 $350,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick tomorrow.

Payne was knocked unconscious and later complained of lower back pain after her mount Julinsky clipped heels in the early stages of the straight and fell, rolling on the unlucky jockey in the 1100m Maiden Handicap.

The Group 1 winning jockey had not long returned to the saddle after suffering severe back injuries and broken ribs in a fall at Donald earlier in the year and has sustained cuts to her face as well as concussion.

Trainer Stuart Webb won’t have trouble finding another rider for Yosei with only eight runners in the George Main Stakes ensuring there will be plenty of riders available.

Daniel Stackhouse was also taken to hospital after complaining of back pain after being involved in a barrier incident when he was tossed from the aptly named Goes Bellistic before the running of the first race.

Payne was on the comeback trial and had set her goal of riding in the Spring and hopefully winning another Group 1 on Yosei.

“I wanted to ride Yosei this spring and I wanted to prove I could still do it,” Payne said before the Ararat fall.

She is going to miss her chance of a Randwick Group 1 after the mare showed her liking for the course when third to More Joyous in the Group 1 $2m BMW Doncaster Mile (1600m) on April 21 as well as winning the 2010 Group 1 $300,000 Sires Produce (1400m) on the track.

“I got very excited in the straight, I thought we were a huge chance to win,” Payne recalled.

“It was still a good thrill to run third in the Doncaster behind two pretty good horses.”

“She seems to really like the track there and it will be good to be back there on Saturday.”

Three of Payne’s four Group 1 wins have been aboard Yosei and as well as taking out the 2010 Sires Produce, the pair were successful in the $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield and the 2011 $500,000 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm.

Payne also picked up a Group 1 win for master trainer Bart Cummings when she steered Allez Wonder to victory in the 2009 $350,000 David Jones Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.