In one of the most dramatic and emotional Melbourne Cup victories in recent memory, South Australian apprentice jockey Caitlin Jones has written herself into Australian sporting folklore, piloting the rank outsider Half Yours to a stunning upset win in the 2024 edition of the race that stops a nation.
A Fairytale Finish at Flemington
The 24-year-old from Adelaide produced a ride of pure brilliance, guiding the $61 longshot to a breathtaking victory that left the Flemington crowd in raptures. In doing so, Jones becomes only the second female jockey in history to claim the coveted Melbourne Cup, etching her name alongside the legendary Michelle Payne.
'I'm completely lost for words,' an emotional Jones told reporters after the race. 'This is the dream of every Australian jockey, and to achieve it on this magnificent horse is beyond anything I could have imagined.'
The Winning Moment
In a perfectly timed run, Jones brought Half Yours with a sweeping move around the outside in the final 400 metres, hitting the front at the 200-metre mark and holding off a fast-finishing Challenge to win by three-quarters of a length.
The victory marks an extraordinary rise for the young apprentice, who only began her riding career three years ago after transitioning from the show jumping arena. Her connection with Half Yours proved magical, with the six-year-old gelding responding to every move with perfect precision.
South Australian Celebration
The win has sparked wild celebrations across South Australia, with Jones becoming the state's newest sporting hero. Training partners John and Kylie Rixon were visibly emotional as their $30,000 purchase crossed the line first in the $8.4 million race.
'We always believed he had something special,' John Rixon said. 'But to see Caitlin execute that perfect ride on the biggest stage - it's what dreams are made of.'
The victory continues a remarkable season for female jockeys in Australian racing, proving that gender barriers in the sport are well and truly being broken down.
