Michelle Payne's brother begs: 'Give up racing'

After a near-fatal fall, the Melbourne Cup winner's family urge her to quit at her hospital bedside. - by New Idea writer

The Melbourne Cup winner’s family is desperately urging her to retire from racing after a potentially fatal fall at Mildura Racecourse left her in hospital on Tuesday.

It has been reported that Michelle is expected to remain under the watchful eyes of doctors for at least a week following pancreatic surgery.

Thankfully, the jockey is said to be in ‘high spirits’ after the operation – which required several stitches to her pancreas – and even managed to update her Twitter followers on her progress.

‘Thank you for all the well wishes. Off to the Alfred tonight to check out pancreas and liver,’ she wrote.

Michelle’s brother, Patrick revealed her family has tried to convince her to retire before, but their concerns have fallen on deaf ears.

‘She is a pig-headed little bugger,' he joked.

Get better soon, Michelle!