Michelle Payne's 35-year-old brother, Stevie Payne, portrayed himself in this movie. She dedicated her win in the 2015 Melbourne Cup to him.
Frank Reys was the first and only Indigenous Australia jockey to win the Melbourne Cup (in 1973 on Gala Supreme). His son Chris Reys plays trainer Rusty in the Ride Like A Girl, offering Michelle Payne a Group 1 ride on Vladivostok.
The finale race includes footage of the actual race.
The popular male jockey "Olly" in the movie is a portrait of Damien Oliver, who was charged with sports misconduct for placing a $10,000 bet on a rival horse in a 2010 race which he also rode in. The rival horse Oliver placed bet on ended up beating the horse that he was riding, and Oliver made a $11,000 profit from his bet. He was served with an eight-month suspension upon conviction and was allowed to ride in races again on 13th September 2013, the same year where he immediately won the Melbourne Cup upon his return.
Teresa Palmer, who played Michelle Payne in this movie, is actually only about one year younger than real Michelle Payne in real life. Both were born in Australia.
Mick Molloy: The Australian actor and television star as Bairdy who is seen watching the horses train at the track.
Shane Bourne: The Australian actor and television star as Trevor Smart who is serving at the TAB betting outlet.
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