Angry Payne storms from media event

MICHELLE Payne could pull out of a major international racing festival after a heated run-in with an official at a promotional event in London.

Payne and her brother-inlaw Kerrin McEvoy arrived unwell on Thursday after a long flight from Melbourne and McEvoy pulled out of marathon Shergar Cup media commitments, which Payne attended.

The function was held at a London pub and Payne attended with four other riders.

After hours of interviews and promotional requirements, Payne advised an Ascot official that she was unwell but was told she had to remain to do more interviews.

She stormed out and is considering pulling out of the Shergar Cup at Ascot early tomorrow (AEST). The Shergar Cup is regarded as the world‘s most famous jockey challenge and Payne is a member of a four-woman squad.

Apprentice Hollie Doyle is on standby to replace Payne if she can’t fulfil her riding commitments.

“They wouldn’t let me leave,’’ Payne told News Corp. “I was up all night sick and told the lady when we left for the press conference.

“She said we’d be two hours then they’d have a car bring us back. Four hours later she said ‘no you can’t leave and you have to speak to all these interviewers’ – six more — asking all the same questions, and that the car wasn’t ready to go back anyway.

“I told them ‘I told you I was sick’ and caught an Uber back to Ascot. Was in bed sick all afternoon, and I’m still unwell.’’

Payne said a bug was “going around’’ in sporting circles in England and said the illness — combined with her anger — could prompt her withdrawal from the Ascot meeting.

“I’m not a spoilt little brat. If I don’t improve I probably won’t have a choice anyway. Worst part is Kerrin’s sick too.”