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.
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