Jamie Melham has produced the ride of her life on Half Yours to win the $10 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington, making history in the process.

Melham’s win made her the first female jockey to win both the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups, to go with her win on Half Yours last month.

It was the latest chapter in a fascinating, high-profile career for the star jockey.

On the 10th anniversary of Michelle Payne’s historic Melbourne Cup win on Prince of Penzance, Melham held Half Yours in midfield before making her move in the famous finishing straight.

Ireland’s Goodie Two Shoes — trained by Joseph O’Brien — hit the front with the Ciaron Maher-trained Middle Earth coming down the outside.

But Melham got the perfect inside run one out from the fence to burst through and take the lead inside the clocktower.

She rode Half Yours clear to win by two and three-quarter lengths, from Goodie Two Shoes with Middle Earth third.

An emotional Melham revealed that her grandfather had died in the week before the race.

“I have to mention my grandpa. He died last week. The last race was the Caulfield Cup. And he was such a big supporter of mine,” Melham told Nine.

“So he’s up there opening those gaps for me because I needed a few gaps open then, and my mum and dad are here.”

Melham also spoke of the ups and downs of the racing life that had led her to Flemington glory.

“This is why we get up every morning, 4am, work our arses off,” she said.

“This industry. It’s tough. It’s not all glorious and perfect. As everyone can see sometimes.

“I’ve had an amazing year. Got married, had some really great days on the track, but nothing ever, ever compares to this feeling right now I’m feeling.”

Melham had previously finished second twice on Prince of Arran (2020) and Okita Soushi (2024).

Half Yours was trained by the first father-son team to win the Cup, Tony and Calvin McEvoy.

The winning horse was bred by Melham’s mentors Janice and Col McKenna. Col McKenna died last year, and Half Yours was subsequently sold to the McEvoys.

“Look, I’ve got Col up there, and he and Janice bred this horse, [they’ve] done an incredible job with him.”