AS JOCKEY Michelle Payne remains in a Melbourne hospital following a racetrack fall, her brother has reiterated the family’s desire for her to retire from riding.
Patrick Payne told RSN radio on Monday that his sister was in good spirits, but faced a critical period in her recovery.
He said there is the possibility Michelle could lose her pancreas, but believed things were mending well at the present time.
The Melbourne Cup-winning hoop has been hospitalised since falling at Mildura last Monday, when she tumbled from galloper Dutch Courage, which is trained by Patrick.
Patrick said it was still the family’s push for Michelle to hang up the saddle.
“You would think this would be the telling factor,” he said.
“We've been through this speech before with her. We've said to her (to) retire and all that sort of stuff.
“I gave her a speech on Saturday night about her retiring and then she started talking about having a ride in the Grand Annual next year ...”
Michelle rose to super-stardom after piloting Darren Weir-trained Prince of Penzance to victory in last November’s Melbourne Cup.
The victory saw her become the first female jockey to win the nation’s greatest race.
