Jamie Melham cops big ban over 2025 Melbourne Cup Day fall
Jamie Melham’s Melbourne Cup fairytale had a harsh epilogue after the star jockey received a 30-meeting ban for careless riding in a race that followed her Cup triumph on Half Yours.
The incident occurred during the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes, where Melham partnered Fancify for Michael Hickmott. Blake Shinn was dislodged from She’s Got Pizzazz near the 200 metres and suffered a broken leg in the fall.
Because Shinn was hospitalised and unable to attend, the stewards’ inquiry was reopened ahead of Wednesday’s Caulfield meeting. Melham pleaded guilty to careless riding under rule AR 131(a).
Racing Victoria stewards outlined their findings: “Rider Jamie Melham pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding … near the 200m she permitted her mount to shift out when not sufficiently clear of She’s Got Pizzazz that was bumped and stumbled, resulting in rider Blake Shinn being dislodged.”
Melham was suspended for 30 meetings, from Sunday 16 November 2025 until Wednesday 17 December 2025. Stewards took into account her good record, guilty plea and the fact it occurred in a Group 3 event where a rider was dislodged.
Her final rides before the ban will come at Caulfield’s CF Orr Stakes meeting on Saturday, where she has a full book of mounts including Evaporate in the $1 million main race.
The suspension followed an otherwise incredible Spring Carnival for Melham, who etched her name into history as the first female rider to complete the Caulfield Cup / Melbourne Cup double aboard the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Half Yours.
If you’re placing a bet on the CF Orr Stakes or any upcoming races, check today’s top offers via the Australian bookmakers list.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...