Melbourne Cup Win for Jamie Melham: History-Making Victory for Female Jockey
In a stunning turn of events, Australian jockey Jamie Melham has made history by becoming the second female jockey to win Australia's most prestigious horse race, the Melbourne Cup. Ridden by Half Yours, the 8-1 outsider burst clear of the field in the final stages to finish three lengths clear of Goodie Two Shoes.
Melham's victory was met with widespread applause from the crowd of over 80,000 at Flemington Racecourse, who braved a cold, wet and windy day to witness what is often called the 'race that stops a nation'. The Melbourne Cup was first run in 1861 and is worth AUD 10m (£5m), making it the world's richest handicap race.
This remarkable win marks Melham's second major victory on Half Yours, which she also rode to success in the Caulfield Cup last month. The young jockey has had an incredible year, with many describing her as one of the most exciting riders in the sport.
Melham paid tribute to her grandfather, who passed away just days before the Melbourne Cup, saying he was a huge supporter and helped open gaps for her on the track. Michelle Payne, the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015, congratulated Melham on her historic achievement, saying "Welcome to the club".
The victory has sparked debate over animal welfare concerns surrounding horse racing, with six horses dying either during or after running in the Melbourne Cup between 2013 and 2020. In response, race organisers have introduced additional safety measures.
For Melham, this win is a dream come true, saying "What just happened? Oh my god. This is what we do it for, this is why we get out of bed every morning at 4am." Her emotions were palpable as she celebrated with her husband Ben, also a jockey who rode Smokin' Romans to 14th place.
As Melham joins the ranks of pioneering female jockeys, her name will be remembered for generations to come as a trailblazer in Australian horse racing.
In a stunning turn of events, Australian jockey Jamie Melham has made history by becoming the second female jockey to win Australia's most prestigious horse race, the Melbourne Cup. Ridden by Half Yours, the 8-1 outsider burst clear of the field in the final stages to finish three lengths clear of Goodie Two Shoes.
Melham's victory was met with widespread applause from the crowd of over 80,000 at Flemington Racecourse, who braved a cold, wet and windy day to witness what is often called the 'race that stops a nation'. The Melbourne Cup was first run in 1861 and is worth AUD 10m (£5m), making it the world's richest handicap race.
This remarkable win marks Melham's second major victory on Half Yours, which she also rode to success in the Caulfield Cup last month. The young jockey has had an incredible year, with many describing her as one of the most exciting riders in the sport.
Melham paid tribute to her grandfather, who passed away just days before the Melbourne Cup, saying he was a huge supporter and helped open gaps for her on the track. Michelle Payne, the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015, congratulated Melham on her historic achievement, saying "Welcome to the club".
The victory has sparked debate over animal welfare concerns surrounding horse racing, with six horses dying either during or after running in the Melbourne Cup between 2013 and 2020. In response, race organisers have introduced additional safety measures.
For Melham, this win is a dream come true, saying "What just happened? Oh my god. This is what we do it for, this is why we get out of bed every morning at 4am." Her emotions were palpable as she celebrated with her husband Ben, also a jockey who rode Smokin' Romans to 14th place.
As Melham joins the ranks of pioneering female jockeys, her name will be remembered for generations to come as a trailblazer in Australian horse racing.
I'm beyond hyped for Jamie Melham's historic win! She's been on fire all year and it's amazing to see her achieve this milestone 
. The fact that she rode an 8-1 outsider to victory is just incredible - she's got the skills, guts, and determination of a true champion 
. I love how she paid tribute to her grandfather, who was clearly a huge supporter and inspiration for her. And can we talk about how amazing it is to see more women breaking down barriers in male-dominated sports? 
Michelle Payne's congrats to Melham are so well-deserved - welcome to the club, Jamie! 
I'm beyond thrilled to see Jamie Melham break through and win that Melbourne Cup! It's amazing what she's achieved in such a short time - two major wins in one month is incredible. I think it's awesome how she paid tribute to her grandfather, who was definitely cheering her on from above 
. And can we talk about the crowd's energy? 80k people braving that cold and wet day for Jamie - talk about dedication! 
As a female jockey making history, Jamie Melham is definitely inspiring the next gen of riders 
. Love how Michelle Payne welcomed her to the 'club' too 
i was on the edge of my seat when half yours came flying down the stretch! that 8-1 underdog story is something else 
can't believe she's only 25 and already making history like this 
I'm utterly fascinated by Jamie Melham's groundbreaking win at the Melbourne Cup - it's a testament to her unwavering dedication and skill as a jockey 
. The emotional outpouring from the crowd and the racing community alike is a beautiful tribute to her perseverance & passion 
. The debate surrounding animal welfare is certainly relevant, but for now, let's bask in the glory of Melham's trailblazing achievement 
shes literally made history winnin da melbourne cup!!! i no its not suprise cuz she's been on fire all year 
n her story is so inspiring esp since it was just days b4 her grandad passed away 
ben her hubby is a jockey 2o 
he even had a decent ride lol. gotta admit tho, animal welfare concerns are legit. maybe dey shud think bout dat 4 next year's cup 
. And can we talk about how amazing it is to see a woman making history in a male-dominated sport? 
It's also awesome that she gave credit to her grandfather, who was her biggest supporter 
. The fact that this win sparks a conversation about animal welfare is definitely important 
but for now, let's just bask in the awesomeness of Jamie Melham's historic victory 
so yeah Jamie Melham is a total legend, no doubt about that 
? And honestly, I'm still not sure if having "safety measures" in place is enough to guarantee those poor horses' well-being 
. Jamie Melham's win is awesome and all, but let's get real, it's about time a female jockey took home that prize 
The way she paid tribute to her grandad and mentioned him being her biggest supporter just gets me every time 
! I mean, can you believe this young woman just won the Melbourne Cup and became a part of history 
? Her win is not just about her riding skills but also about breaking barriers for women in male-dominated sports 
. Can't wait to see what Jamie Melham does next!
I mean, what's the big deal? Another human being wins a horse race and suddenly they're a legend? Get over it 
It's just a bunch of horses running around in circles for our entertainment. And don't even get me started on the whole "history-making" thing – it's not like she broke any new ground or anything 
she's been riding horses since she was a lil kid and people are still surprised she won the Melbourne Cup? 
just sayin'.
anyway, it's cool for women in sport i guess, but let's not get ahead of ourselves...