Michelle Payne: Breeches from historic Melbourne Cup win go on display | CNN

Michelle Payne: Breeches from historic Melbourne Cup win go on display

2 minute read
Published 7:34 AM EDT, Mon October 31, 2016
Michelle Payne rocked the world of racing by becoming the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse. <br /><br />
Michelle Payne rocked the world of racing by becoming the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse.

Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
The Melbourne Cup is known as the "race that stops a nation" such is the interest in the event. It's not just the cup that stops Australia -- it's high stakes in the fashion world too.<br />
The Melbourne Cup is known as the "race that stops a nation" such is the interest in the event. It's not just the cup that stops Australia -- it's high stakes in the fashion world too.
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images for the VRC
The Melbourne Cup was given its own entrance parade ahead of the race.
The Melbourne Cup was given its own entrance parade ahead of the race.
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Australian beauty pageant titleholder and television reporter.Rachael Finch poses at the Myer Marquee on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse.
Australian beauty pageant titleholder and television reporter.Rachael Finch poses at the Myer Marquee on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse.
Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
The celebrities were out in force with Lleyton Hewitt, the Australian tennis player, just one famous face at the racecourse.
The celebrities were out in force with Lleyton Hewitt, the Australian tennis player, just one famous face at the racecourse.
Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Of course, hats aren't just for women. Here designer Phillip Rhodes poses on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 3, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia.
Of course, hats aren't just for women. Here designer Phillip Rhodes poses on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 3, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia.
Zak Kaczmarek/Getty Images for the VRC
There were 24 horses competing for a chance at sporting immortality.
There were 24 horses competing for a chance at sporting immortality.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Just the fourth woman to compete in the race in its 155-year history, Payne rode New Zealand-bred Prince of Penzance to victory.
Just the fourth woman to compete in the race in its 155-year history, Payne rode New Zealand-bred Prince of Penzance to victory.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Prince of Penzance cost $36,000 but came up trumps to win the $2.6 million top prize. <br />
Prince of Penzance cost $36,000 but came up trumps to win the $2.6 million top prize.
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Payne was mobbed by adoring fans after her surprise triumph.
Payne was mobbed by adoring fans after her surprise triumph.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Payne, one of 10 kids, celebrated the victory with her family.
Payne, one of 10 kids, celebrated the victory with her family.
Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Payne celebrated her triumph with brother Stevie, who has Down syndrome. Stevie works as her strapper.
Payne celebrated her triumph with brother Stevie, who has Down syndrome. Stevie works as her strapper.
Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
DJ Nussy was on the decks as she entertained the crowds at Flemington.
DJ Nussy was on the decks as she entertained the crowds at Flemington.
Wayne Taylor/Getty Images AsiaPac
Singer Craig David was also on hand to entertain the Flemington masses.
Singer Craig David was also on hand to entertain the Flemington masses.
Wayne Taylor/Getty Images AsiaPac
Supported by cello and violins, singer Nathaniel also performed at the racecourse.
Supported by cello and violins, singer Nathaniel also performed at the racecourse.
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images AsiaPac
There was a huge crowd at Flemington to witness Payne's landmark win.
There was a huge crowd at Flemington to witness Payne's landmark win.
Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Mobiles were very much at the ready to capture events both on and off the track.
Mobiles were very much at the ready to capture events both on and off the track.
Olivia Yasukawa
Crowds gather in Sydney's Martin Place -- <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2014%2F12%2F15%2Fworld%2Fasia%2Faustralia-sydney-hostage-situation%2F">where the Lindt Chocolate Cafe shooting took place in December 2014</a> -- to watch the race.
Crowds gather in Sydney's Martin Place -- where the Lindt Chocolate Cafe shooting took place in December 2014 -- to watch the race.
Bridget Yasukawa
At the end of a long hard day's horse racing seagulls gather at Flemington to see what might be on the menu.
At the end of a long hard day's horse racing seagulls gather at Flemington to see what might be on the menu.
Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
With all eyes glued on events at Flemington, there wasn't a soul to be seen studying at the Australian National University's Law Library in Canberra.
With all eyes glued on events at Flemington, there wasn't a soul to be seen studying at the Australian National University's Law Library in Canberra.
Louisa Yasukawa
Melbourne Cup 2015: How Michelle Payne stopped a nation

Story highlights

Payne's breeches to go on display

National Museum of Australia adds it to Melbourne Cup collection

CNN  — 

Are these the most famous trousers in sport?

The riding breeches worn by Michelle Payne during last year’s historic Melbourne Cup victory have been acquired at auction by the National Museum of Australia.

At the fundraising event for injured jockeys held by the National Jockeys Trust, the breeches sold for a reported $40,000AUS ($30,400USD) and are framed alongside a set of Prince of Penzance – the horse Payne rode to victory – jockey colors.

Read: Melbourne Cup 2016 preview

“Michelle Payne made history and won hearts across the country when she became the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015 and we are delighted to acquire her riding breeches from that day, to enable us to share this uplifting story with the nation,” said Dr. Mathew Trinca, National Museum director.

The breeches will be added to the museum’s Melbourne Cup collection, which includes Phar Lap’s heart – a champion thoroughbred racehorse which died in 1932 – and the oldest intact Melbourne Cup, dating back to 1866.

Read: Michelle Payne grateful for horror fall

In her now famous post-race interview, Payne told those who didn’t believe in her in a chauvinistic sport to “get stuffed.”

“They think women aren’t strong enough but we just beat the world,” she said.

Coincidentally, Prince of Penzance colors of purple, white and green are the same as those worn by the Suffragettes as they campaigned for a woman’s right to vote in England 19th and 20th century.

Payne donated the breeches to the National Jockeys Trust, an organization close to her heart after suffering several serious falls throughout her career, including one life-threatening one in May this year.