The Melbourne Cup has been won by two female jockeys in its history, with the most recent winner being Jamie Melham in 2025. Michelle Payne was the first woman to win the race, in 2015. Details and context:
- Michelle Payne won the Melbourne Cup in 2015 aboard Prince of Penzance, making history as the first female jockey to win the event. This milestone is widely noted in racing history and confirms that a woman had previously achieved victory before 2025.
- Jamie Melham won the 2025 Melbourne Cup aboard Half Yours, becoming only the second female jockey to win the race. This win also marked the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double for Melham, a notable feat in a single season.
If you’d like, I can provide a concise list of all Melbourne Cup winning jockeys by year, or look up additional details about the specific races, horses, and trainers associated with the two female winners.
