Record Melbourne Cup Prize Money Headlines Jamie Melham’s Historic Win
The 2025 Melbourne Cup didn’t just capture hearts—it captured history. Jamie Melham’s victory on Half Yours turned the race into one of the most talked-about sporting moments of the year, and the massive prize money on offer only added to the drama and prestige of the day.
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This year’s Melbourne Cup featured a record-breaking prize pool of $8.41 million , making it one of the richest horse races in the world. The winner, Half Yours , trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, galloped away with the lion’s share—an eye-watering $4.6 million —while the runner-up, Goodie Two Shoes , claimed around $1.1 million , and third-placed Middle Earth took home nearly $550,000 . Even horses finishing as far back as tenth received more than $160,000 , which shows just how lucrative the race that stops the nation truly is.
But the money wasn’t the only thing on everyone’s mind. Jamie Melham’s emotional win stirred deep feelings across the country. Riding in memory of her late grandfather, she revealed during a post-race interview that she had tucked his lapel pin under her silks. “He rode me in today,” she said tearfully. “Those gaps weren’t big, but he opened them up for me.” It was a moment that reminded everyone that behind the glamour and riches of the Melbourne Cup, there are stories of family, legacy, and pure emotion.
Her victory was even more symbolic because it came exactly a decade after Michelle Payne’s historic 2015 win—the first by a female jockey in the Cup’s long history. This year, Payne herself celebrated trackside, calling Melham’s triumph “a beautiful full-circle moment.”
Still, the day wasn’t without controversy. Stewards launched an immediate probe into possible interference during the race and addressed concerns after footage showed blood around Half Yours’ mouth. Officials clarified that it was a minor abrasion from the bit, assuring fans that the horse had been examined and cleared post-race.
On the other end of the spectrum, trainer Chris Waller’s Buckaroo finished last, but Waller remained philosophical. He explained that the horse ran too fiercely early on and struggled to find rhythm, leading to exhaustion. He later confirmed the horse had suffered exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage but was expected to recover quickly.
From glitz and high fashion in the marquees to heart-thumping action on the track, the 2025 Melbourne Cup delivered everything fans could hope for—courage, emotion, and record-breaking rewards. And as Jamie Melham lifted the famous gold trophy, the record prize money seemed secondary to the story of a woman, her horse, and the spirit that carried them to victory.
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