Monarchs

Champion strapper Stevie Payne’s recent win at the 2015 Melbourne Cup continues a rich family tradition in the racing industry, with eight of his nine siblings having worked as jockeys. Stevie grew up surrounded by horseracing on the family farm at Miners Rest close to Ballarat. From a young age Stevie watched his brothers and sisters take to the saddle and became determined to join the family business. Stevie stole the attention of the nation when he and sister Michelle took home the 2015 Melbourne Cup.

Moomba Festival is proud to crown Stevie Payne as the King of Moomba.

Moomba Festival is proud to crown Michelle Payne – the first ever female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup – as the Queen of Moomba.

The youngest daughter of Paddy and Mary Payne, Michelle grew up on a farm at Miners Rest near Ballarat. On the first Tuesday in November, Michelle Payne rode Prince of Penzance at odds of 100 to 1 to win the 2015 Melbourne Cup. Michelle became the first woman jockey to win Australia's most prestigious horse race.