Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne was on Thursday suspended for one month after she was found guilty of taking a banned substance earlier this month.
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Payne, who pleaded guilty, told stewards: "I am embarrassed and I apologise for what I have done."
Racing Victoria stewards, after hearing evidence from Payne who was represented by lawyer Michael Rivette, handed down the one-month suspension which will begin immediately.
Stewards told Payne they had received results of a urine sample given by the jockey at the Swan Hill Cup meeting on June 11. They explained that the substance Phentermine, an appetite suppressant, was detected.
They added that the substance is banned in accordance with Australian rule of racing 81B.
However, Payne hopes to ride at the rich Shergar Cup at Royal Ascot meetings on August 12 with her suspension ending on July 28.
Payne was hoping to be a part of the series last year. However that trip was thwarted when she was badly injured in a race fall at Mildura when riding for her brother, Patrick.
Payne, 30, also obtained a trainer's licence and many believe with her continuing weight problems she may well concentrate on the training side of her operation in the future.
