Melbourne Cup Champion Faces Lengthy Ban
Star jockey Jamie Melham has been handed a substantial 30-race meeting suspension after pleading guilty to careless riding during a Group Three event at Flemington. The incident occurred just days after her historic Melbourne Cup victory, marking a dramatic turn in the athlete's fortunes.
The Incident That Led to Suspension
During the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes, Melham was riding the Michael Hickmott-trained Fancify when the collision occurred approximately 200 metres from the finish line. The 29-year-old jockey failed to allow her mount to move out when not sufficiently clear of fellow rider Blake Shinn and his horse, She's Got Pizzazz.
The contact caused Shinn's mount to stumble dramatically, resulting in the jockey being thrown to the ground. Shinn suffered a broken leg in the fall, though he later confirmed his horse was uninjured and expressed gratitude for the support messages he received.
Stewards' Verdict and Penalty
Racing Victoria stewards formally charged Melham under AR 131(a) for careless riding. In their assessment, they considered her guilty plea, good record, the Group 3 status of the event, and the serious consequence of another rider being dislodged.
The suspension period will run from Sunday, 16 November 2025 until Wednesday, 17 December 2025. Melham will complete eight races at Caulfield this weekend before beginning her ban, representing her final race meetings until mid-December.
This development delivers a significant blow to Melham's momentum, coming immediately after her career-high achievement of becoming only the second woman to win the Melbourne Cup aboard Half Yours, followed by a Caulfield Cup victory.
