The Payne and Prince Cup upset is a captivating narrative that encapsulates themes of optimism, conviction, and the aspiration to win

It was a fairytale, fair dinkum Aussie style. A group of six mates, each contributing $5,000, embarked on a venture to purchase a racehorse with the aspiration of achieving success in local country races. Little did they anticipate the remarkable outcome that would unfold. The syndicate consisted of a podiatrist, a couple of engineers, an IT consultant, a solutions exp­ert and a producer. They had acquired and previously raced horses but achieved only modest results. Subsequently, they managed to secure the necessary funds for one final attempt - and knowingly hid the purchase from their wives and girlfriends.

They ended up in a syndicate with the horse Prince Of Penzance, by Pentire out of the Mr Prospector mare Royal Successor. He was a bay colt bred by Rich Hill Stud, foaled in November 2009, and purchased for $50,000 by Queensland's, John Foote Bloodstock at the Karaka Premier Yearling Sale. The team of owners saw their horse gain a start from barrier (1) at $101 in the 2015 Melbourne Cup. Having a horse in the Cup was a big thrill, and the horse in question, Prince Of Penzance had already made $600,000, so it was just a great day out soaking up the experience as proud owners. There was no expectations. Just to have made the field and witness the race alone was an unbelievable feeling.

The Darren Weir-trained Prince of Penzance had proved a surprise winner of the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Cup on Cox Plate day 2014. The five-year-old gelding, ridden by Michelle Payne hit the front in the closing stages to win the 2500m race from Le Roi with Au Revoir in third. He ran 2nd in same race in 2015 and passed the first ballot clause for the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup, but he still sat well down the pecking order. He was 59th, then moved to 30th with a 2.5kg penalty taking him to 52.5kgs, but in the end he was pushed up the order of entry and made the field.

24 quailty stayers lined up for the running of the 155th Melbourne Cup. At 100-1 Prince Of Penzance was the equal outsider, backed mainly by those hoping for a fairy-tale - a popular female jockey aboard when no woman had ever won the race before - a country bloke who had risen through the ranks from humble beginnings as a farrier in Stawell to become one of Australia's most successful trainers - 24 enthusiastic owners who had been following their horse all around Victoria from Stawell to Donald to Flemington. The perception of being the underdog was certainly prevalent. What many didn’t know is that Michelle Payne had ridden the horse in trackwork the week before and jumped off to claim the horse felt incredible and ready to win.

A great draw on the rail, a slow tempo, a super fit horse and a great ride from Michelle Payne all allowed the Ballarat-trained gelding to power to the lead at the 200m mark and cause one of the biggest upsets in Melbourne Cup history, holding off a strong late challenge by Willie Mullins’ much-fancied Irish stayer Max Dynamite ridden by Frankie Dettori, with Criterion running third. The sheikhs, Saudi princes, billionaires, property tycoons all came, but fell to the might of a humble Kiwi-bred horse raised in the rolling hills of Walton between Matamata and Morrinsville in the heart of Waikato.

Michelle Payne achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first female jockey to secure a victory in the prestigious Cup since its establishment in 1861. Despite the challenges posed by a male-dominated industry, she demonstrated unwavering determination and resilience in her pursuit of success. She is a tough professional in a tough sport, the veteran of bad falls and injuries (including a fractured skull), and is no pushover, either on or off the track. Payne's account of the Cup journey is a remarkable....

"We were going a bit steady early and I had to give him a dig to hold my spot. Joao Moreira [drawn two wide of her in stall three] was a bit pissed off with me because he was trying to get to the fence and I was already in there.”

"The last 1000 [metres] just opened up. I got on to the back of Trip To Paris and I was actually clipping his heels, I was going that good, but I didn’t want to check him. He was still towing me into the home straight. Darren said count to 10 [before letting him go]. I was trying to count, but didn’t count, I was just hoping it was long enough. Then he just burst to the front and powered to the line. Unbelievable."

When we think of great Melbourne Cup stories, few compare to Prince Of Penzance and his incredible 2015 victory. He won the hearts of a nation and catapulted Michelle Payne into racing stardom. Dreams do come true if you believe hard enough. Making his first return appearance on the track since the Melbourne Cup triumph, the now wealthy galloper finished second in the RA Lee Stakes at Morphettville in May 2016. He resumed in August with average results in three Group races, but sadly, 'The Prince' was retired after surgery to his fractured off-fore leg sustained when running fourth in the Gr.2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield in October 2016. An operation to have a screw and plate inserted was a great success and theoretically he could have raced again, but there was a much greater risk of further fractures and none of the owners were prepared to take that risk. Michelle Payne announced her riding days were over in 2024 to focus on future broadcasting opportunities and training. Unfortunately for him, Darren Weir was banned as a horse trainer for four years after Racing Victoria's appeals and disciplinary board found him guilty of possessing three electric shock devices and one charge of conduct prejudicial to the image, interests, or welfare of racing. Weir is currently not a licensed trainer, according to Racing Victoria. 

RACE RECORD - 29: 7-7-2

EARNINGS - A$4,459,190

Melbourne Cup (2015)

Moonee Valley Cup (2014)

Mornington Cup Prelude (2014)