AUSTRALIA   –  Jockey Michelle Payne was set to make her debut at Royal Ascot next month, but the first female winner of the Melbourne Cup is in a “serious but stable condition” after suffering abdomen injuries in a fall.

The Australian is expected to remain in hospital for “at least a week” after falling from her mount Dutch Courage in a race at Mildura Monday. The 30-year-old was reported to have experienced “acute pain” after the fall. She later tweeted a picture of her injuries, saying she needed pancreas and liver scans. Payne made history in November by winning the Melbourne Cup on 100-1 outsider Prince Of Penzance. Victorian Jockeys’ Association chief executive Des O’Keefe said: “Surgery has been successful and Michelle will be remaining in hospital for at least a week, perhaps more. She’s in a serious but stable condition”…[+]