It's not all about strength, there is so much more involved

Michelle Payne, with humility and fire in her voice, proclaimed: “It’s not all about strength, there is so much more involved, getting the horse into a rhythm, getting the horse to try for you, it’s being patient and I’m so glad to win Melbourne Cup and hopefully, it will help female jockeys from now on to get more of a go.” These words, spoken after her historic 2015 Melbourne Cup victory, are not the boast of a conqueror, but the testament of a pioneer. In them lies a wisdom that transcends the racetrack: that true mastery is not mere power, but harmony; not brute force, but trust and patience.

The meaning of her words stretches beyond sport. Payne dismantles the illusion that greatness belongs only to the strongest. She teaches that in life, as in horsemanship, success is found in partnership, rhythm, and understanding. To “get the horse to try for you” is not unlike inspiring people, guiding them not by domination but by respect and encouragement. She reminds us that patience—that ancient virtue often overlooked—is more enduring than raw might. Her victory declared to the world that strength of spirit and clarity of heart are greater than strength of arm alone.

The origin of this quote lies in the long struggle of women in racing, where for generations they were deemed too frail for the dangers of the sport. Yet Payne, the youngest of ten children raised by her widowed father, had known hardship and perseverance from childhood. When she rode Prince of Penzance to victory at odds of 100-1, she shattered centuries of doubt. In that moment, her triumph was not hers alone; it was the triumph of every woman told she was not strong enough, not capable enough, not deserving of a chance. Her words after the race carried not just celebration, but a clarion call for justice and opportunity.

History itself resounds with such voices. Recall Joan of Arc, a young maiden who led armies not by physical strength, but by vision, faith, and the power to inspire men hardened by war. Or think of Rosa Parks, who, without raising her hand in violence, brought a nation to confront its conscience by the simple, steady act of refusal. These figures remind us, as Payne does, that true strength is often hidden beneath gentleness, and that patience and courage can bend the course of history.

The imagery of Payne’s words is rich. To “get the horse into a rhythm” is to enter into harmony with life itself. To “be patient” is to wait for the right moment, trusting that effort will bloom in due season. And to “help female jockeys from now on” is to plant seeds of hope for a future where barriers fall and equality is the soil upon which greatness grows. Her victory, therefore, was more than a race won—it was a prophecy of change, written in the dust of the racetrack and carried in the cheers of the crowd.

The lesson for us is clear: greatness does not rest solely on force. It is born from patience, harmony, respect, and the courage to defy the walls placed before us. Whether in sport, work, or life, we are called not only to strive, but to lift others by our striving. Payne’s triumph tells us that when one person breaks through, many others follow. Thus, we must live not just for our own victories, but for those whose paths we clear.

Practically, this means cultivating patience when others urge haste, seeking harmony where conflict seems easier, and honoring those who support our journey—be they family, colleagues, or, as in Payne’s case, the noble horse who shared her triumph. It means using our victories not as private possessions, but as gifts to open doors for others.

Take this truth into your heart: it is not all about strength. True power lies in patience, harmony, and courage that dares to change the order of things. Michelle Payne’s ride into history was not only a victory of horse and rider, but a beacon to all who labor under doubt. Let her words guide you, so that in your own race, you may rise not by strength alone, but by wisdom, endurance, and the will to lift others with you.