Jamie Melham First Female Jockey Completes Caulfield-Melbourne Cups Double at Flemington

The 2025 Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse attracted approximately 90,000 attendees despite cold and rainy weather, illustrating the event's enduring popularity even though attendance remains below the 2003 record. Jamie Melham made history as the first female jockey to win both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, riding Half Yours to victory, a decade after Michelle Payne became the first female Melbourne Cup winner. Melham's win was supported by the Ballarat-based father-son training team, Tony and Calvin McEvoy, and she is a close friend of Payne. The day featured early arrivals eager to secure trackside spots, and fashion was prominent with bold colors and umbrellas serving as both practical and stylish accessories. Payne, a former champion, also participated in the event, highlighting the significant female presence in the sport. VIP guests arrived by helicopter to the exclusive Birdcage area, which included celebrities, sports stars, and industry leaders, underscoring the race's social and cultural significance.