Michelle Payne turns heads in a backless bubble dress at Melbourne Cup

She made history in 2015 after winning the Melbourne Cup.

But jockey Michelle Payne ditched the riding boots for a pair of high heels as she attended the world famous event at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old turned heads in a eighties-style mint green backless peplum dress and a tinsel-themed fascinator as she posed on the race track.

She teamed the skin-baring bubble frock with strappy green sandals and a big smile.

Michelle posed with fellow jockey James Winks, who looked stylish in a grey three-piece suit.

Her appearance at the event comes after she slammed animal rights activists and critics who want to ban horse racing. 

Michelle explained that there is a wide misconception held by many when it comes to the treatment of horses in the racing industry.

‘If they saw these horse everyday, they’d see how well cared for and happy they are,’ she told Stellar.

Defending the industry: Her appearance at the event comes after she slammed animal rights activists and critics who want to ban horse racing

‘They are treated like kings. I look after my horse better than I look after myself,’ Payne continued. ‘ 

She emphasised how ‘disappointing’ it is for her to constantly hear people claim the horses are abused or treated cruelly.

‘I know that’s their perception but if they really knew what was going on behind the scenes they wouldn’t think that,’ the champion jockey added. 

‘They are treated like kings’: The champion jockey explained that there is a wide misconception about the treatment of horses and stressed that she even looks after her own horses ‘better than I look after myself’

Earlier this year, Michelle suffered horrific injuries during an incident with a horse in Ballarat, Victoria.

The horse reportedly kicked her in the face causing a deep cut on her chin and bruising on her legs.

Payne recalled the incident to the Herald Sun and revealed that the horse ‘got a fright and panicked and kicked me in the chin and leg’.

Injuries: The Melbourne Cup winner shared confronting photos to Instagram of the injuries she sustained, including a cut to her chin and bruising on her legs

Making history: Michelle is the first and only woman to win the Melbourne Cup horse race in its 160-year history

‘It wasn’t one of my own [horses]. It was a really, really quiet horse and it got a fright… I fell underneath him and when he got a fright he panicked and kicked me in the chin and kicked me in the leg,’ she said.

‘Initially I couldn’t get up because my leg was so sore and I thought I was being a sook. The blood was coming out of my chin but was still okay.’

Michelle was taken to hospital where she had stitches and underwent a head scan.

Michelle is a champion jockey and the first and only woman to win the Melbourne Cup horse race in its 160-year history. 

Read more: In Stellar Magazine with Michelle Payne on the cover