Jamie Melham Makes History with Stunning Melbourne Cup Victory Aboard Half Yours
Melham’s triumph secures her place in racing lore as the frist female jockey to claim both the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups, building on her recent success with Half Yours.
Jamie melham delivered a masterful ride aboard Half Yours to win the $10 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington, etching her name into the history books. The victory,achieved on Tuesday,November 5th,2025,marks a watershed moment for the sport,as melham becomes the first female jockey to win both the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups. This accomplishment follows her win with Half Yours last month, solidifying a remarkable period of success for the jockey.
A Decade After Payne, Melham Reaches the Pinnacle
The win arrived on the 10th anniversary of Michelle Payne’s groundbreaking Melbourne Cup victory with Prince of Penzance, adding another layer of meaning to an already historic day. Melham expertly positioned Half Yours in midfield during the early stages of the race, conserving energy for a decisive move.
Dramatic Finish in the Famous Straight
As the field approached the famous finishing straight, Ireland’s Goodie Two Shoes, trained by Joseph O’Brien, surged to the front, closely followed by Middle Earth, trained by Ciaron Maher, who made a strong run down the outside. However, melham seized a crucial opportunity, finding a “perfect inside run one out from the fence” to burst through and take the lead inside the clocktower. She then guided Half Yours to a thrilling victory, finishing a neck ahead of Goodie Two Shoes, with Middle Earth a close third.
A Family Affair and a Touching Tribute
the McEvoys, Tony and Calvin, made history by marking the first time a father-son team has trained the Melbourne Cup winner. The winning horse was originally bred by janice and Col McKenna, mentors to Melham. Col McKenna’s passing last year led to the sale of Half Yours to the McEvoys, adding another poignant layer to the victory. “Look,I’ve got Col up there,and he and Janice bred this horse,[they’ve] done an unbelievable job with him,” Melham acknowledged.
Visualization and Support: Keys to Success
Melham revealed that she and her husband, ben – who finished 14th on Smokin’ Romans – had meticulously visualized the race the night before. “I wrote it down. He [Ben] told me to. we don’t normally talk racing much, but we ran through this race about 10, 15 times yesterday,” she explained. She also expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy, who have been with her since she was a 15-year-old. “They have been there for me as I was a 15-year-old kid and continue to this day to be there for me and support me. So they deserve this so much.”
A Legacy of Athleticism
Melham’s parents, John Kah and Karen Gardiner-Kah, are former speed skaters who represented Australia at the Winter Olympics, highlighting a family legacy of athletic achievement. They expressed immense pride in their daughter’s “perfect ride.” According to her father, “This is the pinnacle. No matter what happens in the rest of thes races, the Melbourne Cup is the Melbourne Cup.” He added,”It wouldn’t have been the same if she had finished her career and not won a Melbourne cup,so it is a huge one to tick off.” Her mother emphasized the importance of safety, stating, “I’m just happy she finished safe and sound, all the jockeys, really.”
Race Recap: Top Performers and Final Order
Topweight Al Riffa, a pre-race favorite, finished seventh, while the French galloper Presage Nocturne, who started as the favorite, faded to 19th place.The full finishing order from the 2025 Melbourne Cup can be found [here](link to finishing order).
Melham’s historic win is a testament to her skill, determination, and the unwavering support of her family and team, solidifying her place among the legends of australian racing.
