BALLARAT (Azat TV) – Paddy Payne Snr, the legendary horseman and patriarch of one of Australia’s most famous racing dynasties, has died at the age of 90. His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home near Ballarat on the morning of September 8, 2026. The news of his passing has prompted a wave of tributes from across the global horse racing community, celebrating a man who was not only a highly respected trainer but also a devoted single father who raised a generation of elite athletes.
Confirming the family’s loss, his daughter Therese stated to 7NEWS that her father had achieved his final wish of passing away comfortably at home. “We feel he had a great life and we were happy he was comfortable,” she said, adding the family’s hope that he has now been reunited with his late wife Mary, their infant son Michael, and daughters Bernadette and Brigid, who predeceased him.
A Legacy Born of Tragedy and Resilience
Paddy Payne’s life was defined by extraordinary resilience in the face of profound personal tragedy. In 1986, his wife Mary was tragically killed in a car accident, leaving him to raise their ten children alone. Under his guidance on the family’s property at Miners Rest near Ballarat, the children became deeply immersed in the world of horse racing. Ultimately, eight of the ten children would go on to become professional jockeys, establishing the Payne name as a powerhouse in Australian turf history.
The family’s journey was also marked by deep personal losses. The family lost an infant son, Michael, in 1985, just three days after his birth. In 2007, their daughter Brigid passed away from a heart attack at the age of 36, and just last year, another daughter, Bernadette, died at the age of 51. Despite these hardships, the family remained tightly knit, with Michelle and Stevie Payne continuing to live close to their father’s property during his final years, as reported by The Age.
From New Zealand Pastures to Ballarat’s Gold Standard
Born and raised in New Zealand, Payne initially worked as a dairy farmer before transitioning into horse training in the late 1970s. His career took a momentous turn when he purchased a yearling named Our Paddy Boy for just $1,300. The horse went on to win the prestigious 1980 Group 1 Ellerslie Sirs, catching the attention of high-profile British businessman and racehorse owner Robert Sangster. Sangster purchased the horse for a staggering $300,000, a massive sum at the time that fully funded the Payne family’s relocation to Victoria, where they established their legendary training base in Ballarat.
Payne’s training career spanned over forty years in Victoria. His dedication to the sport remained undiminished even in his twilight years; The Age noted that he saddled up his final runner, Nip, at Kilmore on March 6, 2026—just ten days before his 90th birthday. His final victory as a trainer came in August 2024 at Ballarat with the horse Rosalia, when Payne was 88 years old.
Pioneering Support for Female Jockeys
Beyond his individual training achievements, Payne’s most enduring legacy lies in his pioneering support for female jockeys. He encouraged his daughters to pursue professional riding careers at a time when female riders faced significant systemic barriers and fought for acceptance in a male-dominated industry. This support culminated in historic achievements, most notably when his youngest daughter, Michelle Payne, rode Prince of Penzance to victory in the 2015 Melbourne Cup, becoming the first female jockey in history to win the iconic race.
His son, Patrick Payne, also achieved elite success under his father’s influence, winning the prestigious Cox Plate as a jockey in 2002 before transitioning into a highly successful training career of his own. Another son, Stevie, who has Down syndrome, worked closely with the family’s horses and played himself in the acclaimed 2019 biographical film Ride Like a Girl, which chronicled Michelle’s historic Melbourne Cup triumph.
Tributes Flow from Across the Racing Industry
Following the news of his passing, major institutional leaders across Australian racing paid tribute to Payne’s immense contribution. Racing Victoria Chief Executive Aaron Morrison described Payne as “the doyen of a family that has greatly enriched Australian racing,” emphasizing his critical role in advancing female jockey participation. Morrison’s sentiments were echoed by Victorian Jockeys Association Chief Matt Hyland, who remarked that “Victoria’s riding ranks are richer for the contributions of the Payne family.”
Stephen Bell, Chief Executive of the Australian Trainers Association, praised Payne’s work ethic and lifelong dedication to horses, while Ballarat Turf Club Chairman Bill Gribble highlighted his deep local connection, stating that his influence and horsemanship “will leave a lasting legacy” both on and off the racetrack.