Melbourne Cup winner Jamie Melham has been hit with a 30-race meeting ban and will miss a month of action for an incident on Cup day that resulted in a broken leg for Blake Shinn. Melham became just the second female jockey to win the great race when she saluted on Half Yours.
But Melbourne Cup day was rocked just two races later when Shinn fell from his horse and broke his leg in two places. Shinn, who won the Melbourne Cup on Viewed in 2008, was rushed to hospital as Cup day was halted for around 20 minutes.
On Wednesday, Racing Victoria released the findings of inquiry into the incident and found that Melham was partly responsible. Melham was charged with carless riding on Fancify, which led to Shinn’s fall while riding She’s Got Pizazz in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes.
Jamie Melham has been handed a big ban over the incident that resulted in a broken leg for Blake Shinn. Image: Getty/AAP
Melham pleaded guilty to the charge and will miss the next 30 race meetings. A report from Racing Victoria states: “Rider Jamie Melham (Fancify) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR 131 (a), in that 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.
“Jamie Melham had her licence to ride in races suspended for 30 race meetings, with the period to commence on Sunday 16 November 2025, and expire on Wednesday 17 December 2025.”
RELATED:
Racing Victoria stewards said they took into account Melham’s guilty plea, her previous good record, the fact it was a Group 3 race and that it resulted in another jockey falling. The Melbourne Cup winner will still be allowed to ride at Caulfield on Saturday – including on the Chris Waller-trained Pictor in the Sandown Guineas – before her suspension begins.
Blake Shinn is on the mend after fracturing two bones in his leg. Image: Blake Shinn/Lucy Yeomans
Horse racing world rallies around Blake Shinn
Shinn broke both the tibia and fibula in his left leg. He’s expected to miss a significant period of time as he recovers. She’s Got Pizazz was reported to be lame in the left fore leg, but escaped serious injury.
Last week, Shinn’s trainer partner Lucy Yeomans said she’s grateful it wasn’t any worse for the top jockey. “I am so grateful to have this man home safe,” she wrote alongside a photo of Shinn in a boot. “It is not lost on me how lucky we are to have him home and in one (albeit patched up) piece. We have received hundreds of messages and calls, thank you to everyone for the support.”
Lucy Yeomans and Blake Shinn. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)
Lucy Yeomans was on the track assisting Blake Shinn after the fall. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)
On SEN radio, prominent owner John O’Neill said: “Our thoughts go out with him. I have to be honest, he was on the track for 15 to 20 minutes and it was the most horrendous time. We’ve had this tragic situation with Tommy Prebble (who recently had a life-changing fall at Warrnambool).
“Again, I think we need to appreciate lightweight jockeys on horses that are 500 to 550kg riding as tight as they do. Blakey, we wish you all the best mate. These blokes work that hard on their weight and their fitness and their ability to remain alert, it’s incredible.”