Legendary Australian horseman Paddy Payne Sr dies aged 90

Paddy Payne Sr, the patriarch of one of Australian racing’s most famous families, has died at the age of 90.

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RIP Dad. you finally get to go and see Mum again

Payne was the father of Michelle Payne, who became the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup. He was also the husband of Mary Payne, with whom he had 10 children.

Michelle paid tribute to her father on social media, writing, "RIP Dad. you finally get to go and see Mum again". Mary died in a car accident in 1986, when Michelle was six months old, leaving Payne to raise their children. Another daughter, former jockey Brigid Payne, died of a heart attack in 2007.

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Paddy was the patriarch of a family that has greatly enriched Australian racing and provided us with so many great memories.

Racing Victoria acknowledged the death of the "legendary Ballarat horseman". The organisation called Payne the patriarch of a family that had become one of the most famous surnames in Australian racing. Chief Executive Aaron Morrison said, "Paddy was the doyen of a family that has greatly enriched Australian racing and provided us with so many great memories." He added that Payne’s contribution would not be forgotten and his legacy would live on.

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We've had some good success and some bad luck as well.

In a 2015 ABC interview, Payne reflected on the family’s fortunes: "We've had some good success and some bad luck as well." He also said, "We're a close family and we get on good and my kids get on good, it's lovely for me to see that."

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We're a close family and we get on good and my kids get on good, it's lovely for me to see that.