The euphoria of a historic Melbourne Cup victory turned sour for jockey Jamie Melham, who has been handed a significant suspension for a riding incident that occurred later on the same fateful race day.
A Costly Celebration
Just after achieving a career-defining win aboard Half Yours in the Melbourne Cup, Jamie Melham's day took a dramatic turn. During the subsequent Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes, Melham was riding Fancify when an incident led to fellow jockey Blake Shinn's fall from She’s Got Pizzazz.
The Racing Victoria stewards' inquiry found Melham guilty of careless riding. The report stated she permitted her mount to shift out when not sufficiently clear of Shinn's horse, resulting in a bump that caused the horse to stumble and Shinn to be dislodged.
The Fallout and Penalty
The consequences of the incident were severe. Blake Shinn was hospitalised with a broken leg and was unable to attend the initial inquiry. The case resumed before Wednesday's Caulfield meeting, where Melham pleaded guilty to the charge.
In a significant ruling, stewards suspended Melham's racing licence for 30 race meetings. The suspension period is set to commence on Sunday, 16 November 2025, and will expire on Wednesday, 17 December 2025.
When assessing the penalty, stewards considered several factors:
- Melham's guilty plea
- Her good riding record prior to the incident
- The fact it was a Group 3 event
- The serious outcome of a rider being dislodged and injured
An Unforgettable Carnival Ends on a Sour Note
This suspension marks a disappointing conclusion to what had been an extraordinary Spring Carnival for Melham. Her Melbourne Cup victory on Half Yours, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, had seen her become the first female jockey to complete the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double.
The timing of the suspension means that Saturday's Group 1 C F Orr Stakes meeting, where Melham was scheduled to have eight rides including Evaporate in the $1 million feature, will be her last race day until the week before Christmas.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the fine margins and inherent risks in professional horse racing, where celebrations can quickly turn to consequences.
