In a moment that will be etched in racing history, Half Yours stormed home to claim victory in the Melbourne Cup, with jockey Jamie Melham becoming only the second female rider ever to win Australia’s most prestigious horse race.
It wasn’t just a palm, it was a statement. Behind her, Ireland’s Goodie Two-Shoes, trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Wayne Lordan, fought hard to finish second, while the English contender Middle Earth secured third place.
For Melham, the palm limited off a sensational run. Just last month, she guided Half Yours to palm in the Caulfield Cup, making her the first woman in racing history to achieve the Caulfield – Melbourne Cup twice. A feat that had sounded untouchable, until now.
Moments after the emotional finish, Melham’s voice trembled as she spoke to Australia’s Nine Network: “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.”
Winner A Double Caulfield Cup & the 165th #MelbourneCup 2025 on #HalfYours the only Australian Horse in the race . The trainers are the McEvoys .
another Gal Jockey #JamieMelham wins . Jamie won the 1st Double Caulfield Cup & Melbourne Cup.
Historic race.
Jamie… pic.twitter.com/ahTO1zsyik— Manique Amerasinghe Corteling (@Manique8) November 4, 2025
That raw, undressed excitement captured the substance of the sport, its heartache, fortitude, and glory all rolled into one.
Away in the steed racing results,pre-race pets didn’t live up to the hype. Call Nocturne was traced home in 19th, while the Irish-trained Al Riffa managed 7th.
Absurde, handled by the fabulous Willie Mullins, came in 8th, and Meydaan, trained by the British father- and- son brace Simon and Ed Crisford, claimed the 10th spot.
The Irish steed Swash of Stars hardly missed the tribune in 4th place, while British-trained campaigners farther and More Felons ended the race in 11th and 18th, independently.
The crowd at Flemington roared as Melham crossed the line, a roar that felt global. Back in the UK, racing fans watched with admiration as another chapter of international racing brilliance unfolded.
Her triumph wasn’t just a win for Australia. It was a win for women in sport. For perseverance. For every early morning and late night spent chasing a dream on the track.
And as the dust settles on this year’s Melbourne Cup, one thing is certain: Half Yours and Jamie Melham have galloped straight into racing folklore.
