History was quietly made at Flemington on Tuesday, November 4, as Jamie Melham became only the second woman jockey ever to win the Lexus Melbourne Cup, a race that has been part of Australian sporting life since 1861. Riding Half Yours with composure and confidence over the famous two miles, Melham delivered a ride of real authority to land the $10 million feature for trainers Tony McEvoy and Calvin McEvoy, adding a new chapter to the Cup’s long and storied history.
Half Yours seized the spotlight in Australia’s greatest race, outstaying Goodie Two Shoes and Middle Earth in a tense finish to the 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup. Produced at the right time and kept perfectly balanced throughout, Melham’s poise was decisive — a performance worthy of the occasion and of the McEvoy team, who had the gelding tuned to perfection for Cup Day.
Earlier in the day, proceedings began with the Darley Maribyrnong Plate at 10:45 AM, run over 1000 metres for $240,000, where Tornado Valley showed exceptional speed under E Brown, giving trainer C Maher an ideal start to the program. The MA Services Grand Handicap followed at 11:20 AM over 2000 metres for $150,000, and Party Crasher, ridden by M Zahra for M Hickmott, surged late to snatch victory in a tight finish.
Momentum continued in the TAB Trophy (1800 m, 12:00 PM, $200,000), where Different Gravy, again piloted by M Zahra for H Dwyer, produced a commanding display. Speed reigned in the Schweppervescence Plate at 12:40 PM (1000 m, $150,000) as Pallaton, with J McDonald aboard for M Freedman, powered home with an eye-catching burst.
The staying test of the Australian Heritage Cup at 1:20 PM, run over 2800 metres for $250,000, went to Litzdeel, cleverly handled by C Williams for D O’Brien, whose patient ride told in the final furlong. The Kirin Ichiban Plate at 1:55 PM (1800 m, $200,000) was claimed by Kingswood, guided confidently by J Allen for G Bedggood.
Following the Cup, the quality didn’t drop. The Lexus Amanda Elliott (1400 m, 3:50 PM, $200,000) went the way of Burma Star, trained by C Waller and ridden by J Moreira in professional style. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes at 4:35 PM (1400 m, $240,000) saw Dance To The Boom, with K McEvoy up for B Baker, prevail in a close finish. The meeting signed off with the Channel 9 Trophy at 5:15 PM (1400 m, $150,000), where Persian Spirit, under H Coffey for S Wilde, finished strongly to close out a memorable Cup Day.
From sharp juvenile speed early to a landmark Melbourne Cup result in the afternoon, Flemington’s Lexus Melbourne Cup Day 2025 delivered exactly what the occasion promises every year — depth, drama, and a story worth retelling.
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