The racing future of Michelle Payne remains unknown after the Melbourne Cup-winning jockey said she was not yet ready to make a decision on when she would return to the track following successful pancreatic surgery.
Payne, who shot to stardom after winning Australia’s most famous race last November, sustained injuries in a fall at Mildura two weeks ago. She was airlifted to the Alfred hospital in Melbourne, where she underwent an operation.
Speaking after her discharge on Wednesday, Payne said she would spend at least the next four weeks concentrating on recovering from the surgery before even contemplating a timeframe for a return to the saddle.
“The pain from the injury and surgery was pretty intense and my doctors have told me to take it very easy for the next month at least,” Payne said. “I have plenty of time to make a decision, and that won’t be my focus for at least another month or so.
“Obviously a lot of questions have been asked whether I’d ride again, it is something that I don’t want to be pressured in to making comment on yet.”
So happy to be out! Feel no pressure to make a decision on my future, I'm sure I'll know as time progresses. https://t.co/HcRlkjavD0
— Michelle Payne (@mj_payne) June 8, 2016
The severity of her injuries – she tore her pancreas – had led to fears she may never ride again but Payne insisted the motivation to get back on a horse remained.
“I’ve still got the fire in the belly, it is still there but I just want to get home and concentrate on getting better, make sure I take the time to relax and make the right decision when the time is right.”
