Michelle Payne Becomes First Woman To Win Melbourne Cup; Tells The Haters, "Get Stuffed"

Michelle Payne has become the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup.

The 30-year-old Victorian rode to victory atop outsider Prince of Penzance, surprising punters who had favoured the horse Fame Game.

Max Dynamite and Criterion finished in second and third place, while Fame Game settled outside the top 10.

Payne was the only female jockey competing for what is arguably the most coveted sporting prize in Australia.

Her brother, Stevie, had drawn the barrier and secured Prince of Penzance spot 1.

Stevie Payne dreamed of picking barrier 1 for Prince of Penzance, and that's exactly what he selected! #SpringCarnival #HorseRacing #FlemingtonVRC #EmiratesMelbourneCup #MelbCupCarnival 🏆🏆🏆

A photo posted by Racing.com (@racingdotcom) on Oct 31, 2015 at 1:54am PDT

Speaking to reporters after the race, an exhausted – but still enthusiastic – Payne noted that it was “a dream come true.”

“He just burst to the front and I’ve never yelled so loud at a horse in all my life,” she added.

Payne also had a serve for those who had tried to keep her from competing.

“It’s such a chauvinistic sport and I know some of the [other] owners were keen to keep me off.”

After thanking those who supported her in this glass ceiling-breaking moment, she had only this to offer the doubters: “get stuffed.”

Thanks @KPMcEvoy for the lesson this morning. What brother in-laws are for 😜 #neverstoplearning #keeppracticing pic.twitter.com/TIw8Ldw1m9

— Michelle Payne (@mj_payne) October 6, 2015

Sadly, the sentimental favourite Red Cadeaux - a three-time runner-up - was rushed to a veterinary clinic after breaking down towards the end of its 2015 dash.

More news as it develops.

Pulled Red Cadeaux in the #melbournecup sweeps but my sentimental favourite is still Bondi Beach pic.twitter.com/mjUXkWIeCg

— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) November 3, 2015

We confirm Red Cadeaux incurred a suspected fetlock injury during the Emirates Melbourne Cup & has been taken to vet clinic for assessment.

— FlemingtonRacecourse (@FlemingtonVRC) November 3, 2015

Update: Perennial Melbourne Cup bridesmaid Red Cadeaux is "alive and well" after undergoing surgery. The 10-year-old horse will, however, be retired from racing.

Red Cadeaux "alive and well". Standing and eating #MelbourneCup (@braceyjames)

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) November 3, 2015