Jamie Melham has etched her name into Australian racing history by becoming only the second female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, guiding Half Yours to a stunning triumph at Flemington. The victory comes exactly a decade after Michelle Payne’s groundbreaking success aboard Prince of Penzance in 2015, a moment that first shattered barriers in the sport.
Melham’s win is even more remarkable as it completes the coveted Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double, making her the first female jockey ever to achieve the feat. Half Yours, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, surged down the Flemington straight to secure the $10 million race, leaving rivals trailing in one of the most memorable Cup finishes in recent years.
The 2025 Cup result not only cements Melham’s place in racing folklore but also highlights the growing presence and influence of women in a sport long dominated by men. Payne, who was commentating on the race, was visibly emotional as she watched her close friend cross the line, calling the moment “incredible” and “well deserved.”
For Melham, the victory capped off a remarkable year both on and off the track. She described the win as the pinnacle of her career, dedicating it to her late grandfather, who had witnessed her Caulfield Cup triumph but passed away before seeing her Melbourne Cup glory. “This is why we get up every morning at 4am and work so hard. Nothing compares to this feeling,” she said after the race.
Half Yours’ victory also marked the first time since 2023 that a horse has claimed the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double, underlining the gelding’s dominance this spring. The win was celebrated by a packed Flemington crowd, with racing fans hailing it as a landmark moment for both the sport and gender equality in Australian horse racing.
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