Melbourne’s winning jockey, Michelle Payne, spoke after the tragic death of her sister Bernadette, who died at the age of 51 last week.
Michelle learned the heartbreaking news of her sister after doing a photo shoot for the international day of the woman.
“I’m fine, thank you,” she told News Corp.
“We are so deeply sad … Our family feels so grateful and appreciates for all love and support.
“We thank everyone for love and understanding. We are very grateful for the support received for Bernadette and us from Racing Victoria and our close friends through a very difficult period.
Bernadette, also a successful jockey, died on Tuesday, according to a family statement.
Michelle Payne spoke after the tragic death of her sister Bernadette
Former Jockey Bernadette Payne (photo on the right, next to his father Patrick, on the left, and his brother Stevie, second on the left) died tragically, at the age of 51
“It is with deep sadness that we confirm that Bernadette has died,” said the press release.
“She has spent a very difficult and difficult period in recent years and we find comfort in the hope that she is now at peace.
“She was loved by many throughout her life.
“We ask that our family’s privacy be respected at the moment. THANKS.’
She and her 10 brothers and sisters were raised around horses, with their father, Paddy, raising the family as a single parent after Bernadette’s mother, Mary, tragically disappeared in a car accident in 1986.
Bernadette’s death also came after her sister Brigid suddenly died from a heart attack in 2007, 36 years old.
She was one of her eight of her brothers and sisters to become Jockey, Bernadette leading her first winner to Nhill in 1993.
During his racing career, Bernadette would obtain 192 victories before retiring in 2009.
Payne thanked fans and the lovers of love for love and support
In an interview in 2015, Michelle paid tribute to Bernadette for taking care of her when their mother died tragically.
Bernadette was 11 years old at the time, with Michelle, then only a baby, declaring to Sydney Morning Herald: “She got up in the middle of the night and fed me, then fell asleep.”
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