Matthew Payne
Matthew Payne began riding in Pony Club when he was very young, taking part in Showjumping, Dressage and Cross Country.
Matthew Payne began riding in Pony Club when he was very young, taking part in Showjumping, Dressage and Cross Country.
Aged 14 and weighing 7 st 7 lb, he was given a chance by trainer Geoff Lewis to start riding out at the weekends despite being told by Ron Smyth that he would become too heavy to be a jockey.
Aged 14 and weighing 7 st 7 lb, he was given a chance by trainer Geoff Lewis to start riding out at the weekends despite being told by Ron Smyth that he would become too heavy to be a jockey.
On leaving school, Matthew became apprenticed to Geoff Lewis, and worked for him between 1992 to 1994 before becoming a conditional to Joe Naughton and John White between 1994 and 1996.
On leaving school, Matthew became apprenticed to Geoff Lewis, and worked for him between 1992 to 1994 before becoming a conditional to Joe Naughton and John White between 1994 and 1996.
Aged 17, he made his racecourse debut at Salisbury riding October Brew in the Langford Apprentice Handicap.
Aged 17, he made his racecourse debut at Salisbury riding October Brew in the Langford Apprentice Handicap.
He had his last ride in 1996 aboard Telmar Systems in a hurdle race at Warwick.
He had his last ride in 1996 aboard Telmar Systems in a hurdle race at Warwick.
Matthew, aged 20, retired in 1996, citing weight problems and lack of opportunities.
Matthew, aged 20, retired in 1996, citing weight problems and lack of opportunities.
In 1998, he won the JETS Richard Davis Award, having gone back to university after retiring.
In 1998, he won the JETS Richard Davis Award, having gone back to university after retiring.
Matthew became a TV cameraman and has since worked on all the Racing Channels.
Matthew became a TV cameraman and has since worked on all the Racing Channels.