JYE McNeil’s Melbourne Cup triumph aboard Twilight Payment came less than a decade after the Myall-raised jockey’s first race win in Kerang’s Summer Cup in 2011.
Last Tuesday, proud parents Michelle and Darryl were watching from home, sending the decibel reading sky high as it became apparent their son couldn’t be caught over the last 200 metres.
Michelle’s voice was worse for wear the following day, having shrieked “Go Jye” numerous times as Twilight Payment headed for the line.
It was a mighty effort from the Irish horse, taking the lead shortly after the start, and proving uncatchable thereafter, despite appearing threatened as he entered the home straight.
Unable to be at Flemington, with no spectators permitted, McNeil’s parents watched intently from home and made sure there’d be no distractions.
They left a small group of guests outside watching a separate television.
“Michelle and I snuck inside so we could watch it and I was in one room and she was in the other and I could hear Michelle screaming from the 200 and then I started,” Darryl said.
Jye’s mum explained the fact she and Darryl chose to watch the race separately from their guests and each other.
“You want to take it all in yourself and not miss anything,” Michelle said.
Still, the yelling of guests watching TV outside was unmissable, although it was soon drowned out by Michelle’s ever more intense shrieks of delight.
People soon began arriving, with beer, champagne and later someone turned up with pizzas.
“Everybody’s so happy for Jye and it’s a really uplifting experience for the area,” his dad said.
Although he wasn’t surprised to see Jye take Twilight Payment to the lead promptly, Darryl was concerned he may be going a little too quickly with a long way to the post.
“I can only think of one horse that’s led in the Melbourne Cup and won which was Might and Power,” Darryl declared.
Well, that was until Tuesday.
Farmer and horse trainer Darryl summed up his son’s brave front-running ride, which followed trainer Joseph O’Brien’s instructions.
“If it comes off you’re a genius, if it drops off and you get beat you look like a goose,” he said.
Jye’s proud father said that although he and Michelle would have loved to be at the track it was tremendous to share the experience with family and friends.
McNeil’s breakthrough 2011 Kerang win came not long after he started his apprenticeship with Mansfield trainer Gerald Egan.
“That was a thrill and to have all his mates here from school and family and friends to witness it at his home track was just amazing,” Michelle said.
Jye was just 17 years old at the time.
His recent successes have included winning the Geelong and Bendigo Cups, taking out last season’s Victorian Jockeys’ Premiership and being a joint winner of a Victorian Jockeys’ Association peer-voted award this year, shared with Damien Oliver.
