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News.com.au
30-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey turned trainer Michelle Payne rallies support to help drought-stricken farmers
Michelle Payne has urged fellow racing industry participants to help drought-stricken farmers with donations of any unused horse feeds. The Melbourne Cup-winning jockey, who trains in partnership with her brother Patrick, grew up on a dairy farm her father Paddy owned in Rochester, 180km north of Melbourne. 'A few of us in the racing industry have been working together to collect unused feed from our horses, taken from their bins each morning and afternoon,' Payne posted on social media. 'While this feed is top quality and helps our horses perform at their best, once removed (from the feed bins) almost all of it can no longer be used for horses in training or rest. 'However, it's still perfectly suitable for cattle, sheep, and other livestock.' Severe drought has gripped parts of rural and regional Victoria. 'With the drought hitting so hard this year and winter already upon us, it may feel a little late, but better late than never,' Payne said. 'The impact of no rain has been devastating.' A lot of hardworking trainers, especially in regional areas, already support local farmers with their own initiatives, but Payne said a statewide industry approach 'could make a real difference'. 'If each racing club across Victoria could get behind this, starting with helping trainers co-ordinate and collect, we could really scale this initiative,' Payne said. ' Ballarat, Flemington, Cranbourne and Pakenham have already been approached and are keen to support.' Payne said Aussie Hay Runners, an organisation that transported donated hay to farmers by affected by flood, bushfire and extreme weather events, could 'help with logistics wherever possible'. 'We just ask all trainers bag up their waste feed and put aside for easy collection,' Payne said. 'Feed stores making deliveries could be a huge help in collecting when dropping off feed orders – supplying an area for farmers to collect. 'Many feed companies are coming on board, thank you for your help. 'Let's come together to support our fellow Aussies doing it tough.'
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- Climate
- News.com.au
Taree trainers Glen Milligan and Tony Ball devastated following floods
Taree trainer Tony Ball has revealed he's lost just about everything following the devastating floods in the area. Ball revealed how his house is almost completely submerged in water and that he won't be able to reach it for at least a week. 'It's the worst I have seen in a long, long time. It is just devastating,' Ball said. 'It's gone through our house and we've lost everything. 'It's nearly up to the roof they tell me because we had to leave yesterday. 'We stayed in a motel last night. 'We saved my truck, horse float, my ute, my wife's car, my dog and a bag of clothes each and we won't be able to get home for probably a week.' Ball, who has trained in his own right for around six years, admits it's devastating but his biggest worry now is getting feed for his horses. On top of his own stable, Ball is looking after a few for fellow trainer Glen Milligan but said they could be in trouble with the produce shop also going under. 'We got them out the day before but our biggest downfall now is our produce shop has about four feet of water in it,' Ball told Sky Sports Radio. 'I've got enough feed to feed mine and Glen's for tonight and tomorrow but we've got to get feed for them.' An emotional Glen Milligan said it's the worst he's ever seen it, despite living in the area for 30 years. Video of the track at Taree taken at 8.30 this morning @Punters @RacenetTweets — Jett Hatton (@KnowsJett) May 20, 2025 Milligan, who lives at the track, said all his horses are safe but the bottom story of his house is underwater. 'My house is double storey and we've got about two feet of water in it,' Milligan said on Sky Sports Radio. 'There's just no end to it … the track is an ocean. 'There's a metre of water in the courtyard I reckon and we've been here 30 years and there never has been any. 'The horses are all safe here but my house will probably just go under further. 'So many people have offered to help but it's a bit hard when you can't get in and out and you can't get out of Taree either. 'From the 400 to the 200m is about the only bit of grass you can see at the racecourse.'
