Payne fell from Dutch Courage, trained by her brother Patrick Payne, during race seven and was immediately attended to by medics, who opted to take her to hospital for further observation.
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Melbourne Cup-winning rider Michelle Payne was taken to the Alfred Hospital overnight for further tests after being involved in a fall at Mildura on Monday. “She’s in a serious but stable condition”.
“Doctors haven’t indicated exactly what the surgery was but said that she was in acute pain”, Victorian Jockeys Association CEO Des O’Keefe said.
She was treated on the track by medicos and ambulance staff before being transported to hospital. She later tweeted a picture of her injuries, saying she needed pancreas and liver scans.
O’Keeffe said he expected Payne to be “bitterly disappointed” at what happened, but added that she could have been more seriously hurt.
‘Anything she’s done sounds like it will be fixable.
O’Keeffe said it was a reality check in a risky career.
Payne is expected to spend several weeks on the sidelines, meaning she will miss worldwide riding engagements in Sweden, Ireland, France and England.
Payne created history when she became the first woman to win the Cup last November aboard Prince Of Penzance.
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Following her Melbourne Cup winning ride, Payne was swamped with social and riding engagements including an invitation to ride at Royal Ascot, Ireland, France and Sweden in June, but the trip will now depend on her recovery from her injuries.
