Jamie Melham rides 'Half Yours' to victory, etches name in Melbourne Cup history

Jamie Melham made history on Tuesday, becoming only the second female jockey to win the Aus$10 million (US$6.5 million) Melbourne Cup, guiding Half Yours to victory in Australia’s famed race. With this win, Melham also becomes the first woman to win the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double.

The five-year-old gelding surged ahead on the soft Flemington track, pulling clear in the final stretch to defeat Goodie Two Shoes and Middle Earth by 1.5 lengths in the grueling 3,200-metre (two-mile) handicap. The triumph marked a landmark moment for Melham and a thrilling finish to one of the world’s most prestigious horse races.



"Oh my God, this is what we do it for," said Melham, who finished third last year aboard Okita Soushi and won the Caulfield Cup on the all-Australian Half Yours in her last ride.

"This is why we get up out of bed every morning at 4am, it's tough, it's not all glorious and perfect as everyone can see sometimes," she said.

"I've had an amazing year," the 29-year-old added. "Got married, had some really great days on the track, but nothing ever, ever compares to this feeling right now."


Jamie’s husband, Ben Melham, also competed in the race, finishing 14th aboard Smokin’ Romans.

Jamie joined Michelle Payne - who memorably guided 100-1 outsider Prince of Penzance to victory in 2015 - as the only woman to have ever won the Melbourne Cup, with the two sharing an emotional embrace after the race.

"Welcome to the club," Payne, who was commentating, told Melham.

"We have so many young girls coming into our industry and to see her win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double is just so fitting. She is such a hard worker."

Payne, who has served as a mentor to Melham, was visibly emotional after the historic win.

"I've got tears in my eyes, it's the most incredible feeling and for Jamie, who deserves it, it's even better," she said, as quoted by AFP, on broadcaster Channel Nine.