### Jamie Melham Makes History as Second Woman to Win the Melbourne Cup Jamie Melham has etched her name in the annals of horse racing history by becoming only the second female jockey to win the prestigious Melbourne Cup, riding the horse Half Yours to victory on November 4, 2025. This emotional win comes just a week after the passing of her grandfather, to whom she dedicated her victory. The Melbourne Cup, often referred to as "the race that stops a nation," attracted over 84,000 spectators at Flemington, marking a significant moment in Australian sports history [https://inspirepreneurmagazine.com/jamie-melham-becomes-second-woman-to-win-10-million-melbourne-cup]. ### Breakdown of the Historic Event 1. **Victory Details**: - Jamie Melham rode Half Yours to victory, defeating the horse Goodie Two Shoes, trained by Joseph O'Brien [https://www.skysports.com/racing/news/12426/13463680/melbourne-cup-jamie-melham-becomes-second-woman-to-win-flemington-showpiece-on-half-yours]. - This win marks Melham as the first female jockey to achieve the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double, having previously won the Caulfield Cup [https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3331424/trailblazer-melham-rides-half-yours-melbourne-cup-glory-completes-rare-double]. 2. **Emotional Tribute**: - Melham dedicated her win to her late grandfather, who was a significant supporter of her career. She expressed that the last race he watched was the Caulfield Cup, making the victory even more poignant [https://thenightly.com.au/sport/horse-racing/jamie-melham-pays-emotional-tribute-to-late-grandfather-after-winning-melbourne-cup]. 3. **Historical Context**: - Melham's victory follows in the footsteps of Michelle Payne, who was the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015. This win not only highlights Melham's talent but also signifies a progressive shift in a traditionally male-dominated sport [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/nov/04/melbourne-cup-2025-half-yours-jamie-melham]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Race Statistics**: - The Melbourne Cup 2025 featured a prize pool of A$10 million (approximately US$6.5 million) [https://www.ftimes.com/news/national/jamie-melham-on-half-yours-only-second-woman-to-win-melbourne-cup/article_21f5bbdd-9229-51f4-a1dc-a40ef89f7300.html]. - Over 84,000 attendees witnessed the event, underscoring its significance in Australian culture [https://www.smh.com.au/sport/racing/melbourne-cup-2025-live-rain-continues-as-flemington-gets-set-for-biggest-day-of-the-year-20251103-p5n7by.html?post=p59hl9]. - **Historical Wins**: - Jamie Melham's achievement of winning both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups is a rare feat in Australian horse racing, marking her as a trailblazer for future female jockeys [https://www.codesports.com.au/horse-racing/melbourne-cup-race-2025-live-updates-and-results/live-coverage/2011b7cbf35688495689c1bf68864fa3]. ### Conclusion: A Milestone in Horse Racing **Jamie Melham's victory at the 2025 Melbourne Cup is a landmark achievement in the world of horse racing, showcasing her exceptional skill and resilience.** 1. **Historic Win**: Melham becomes the second woman to win the Melbourne Cup, a significant milestone for female representation in sports. 2. **Emotional Dedication**: The victory is deeply personal, dedicated to her late grandfather, adding an emotional layer to the triumph. 3. **Cultural Impact**: The event drew massive crowds, reinforcing the Melbourne Cup's status as a key event in Australian culture and sports. This victory not only celebrates Melham's talent but also inspires future generations of female jockeys to pursue their dreams in a competitive field [https://newcastleweekly.com.au/jamie-melham-creates-history-as-half-yours-wins-2025-melbourne-cup].