Tributes from the horse racing community have been made to former jockey Bernadette Payne who has passed away at the age of 51. 

Ms Payne, who is the daughter of legendary Victorian jockey and successful trainer, Patrick, passed away on Tuesday, according to a statement from her family.   

‘It is with deep sadness that we confirm that Bernadette has passed away,’ the Payne family’s statement read.

‘She had a very difficult and challenging time in recent years and we find solace in the hope that she is now at peace.’

She is also the sister of 2015 Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne – the first woman to ever ride a winner in the famous race. 

‘She was loved by many throughout her life,’ the statement added.

She is the sister of 2015 Melbourne Cup winner, Michelle Payne (pictured), who won the title aboard Prince of Penzance

‘We ask that our family’s privacy is respected at this time. Thank you.’ 

She and her 10 siblings were brought up around horses, with their father, Paddy, raising the family as a single parent after Bernadette’s mother mother Mary tragically died away in a car accident in 1986. 

Bernadette’s passing also comes after her sister Brigid died suddenly from a heart attack in 2007, age 36. 

She was one of eight of her siblings to go on to become a jockey, with Bernadette riding her first winner at Nhill in 1993. 

During her racing career, Bernadette would secure 192 victories before retiring in 2009. 

In an interview in 2015, Michelle paid tribute to Bernadette for looking after her when their mother tragically passed away. 

Bernadette was 11 at the time, with Michelle, then only a baby, stating to The Sydney Morning Herald: ‘She used to get up in the middle of the night and feed me, then fall asleep in school.’

Members of the racing community have paid tribute to Bernadette, including the Australian Jockey’s Association. 

Members of the racing community have issued their condolences to her family following the news

‘Very saddened to hear of the passing of a beautiful lady that was loved and respected by so many, RIP Bernadette you are now at peace,’ the Australian Jockey’s Association wrote.

‘Deepest sympathy to one of the great families in racing, The Payne family, sending love to you all.’

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More to follow…