Despite the chill and rain, tens of thousands of enthusiastic racegoers descended upon Flemington Racecourse to partake in the festivities of the storied Melbourne Cup. The celebratory atmosphere persisted well into the night, undeterred by the less-than-ideal weather.

This year, history was made when 29-year-old Jamie Melham became the first female jockey to achieve the prestigious Caulfield-Melbourne Cups double. She rode Half Yours to a resounding victory in the marquee event, Race 7, marking a significant milestone in horse racing.

A decade has passed since Michelle Payne broke barriers as the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. This year, Melham, a close friend of Payne, matched that accomplishment with support from the Ballarat-based father-and-son training team, Tony and Calvin McEvoy.

The day of revelry and high fashion commenced early, as hundreds of eager punters arrived more than six hours before the race, seeking prime spots along the track to witness the action unfold.

Flemington’s attendance numbers for the Cup have been on the rise in recent years, with approximately 90,000 attendees this year. Although this figure remains below the record of 122,000 set in 2003, it illustrates the event’s enduring allure.

Fashion took center stage, with bright reds and striking block colors dominating the style choices of both celebrities and attendees. Amidst the style statements, umbrellas emerged as both a fashionable and practical accessory, proving indispensable against the day’s weather.

Cup champion Payne led the fashion pack with a short and showstopping bright red dress. She arrived at the racecourse with brother Stevie, who acted as strapper when her horse Prince Of Penzance roared to victory a decade ago.

‘It’s a really special feeling and special moment, to have Stevie here again, it’s just unbelievable,’ she told reporters at Flemington on Tuesday.

Bright red and bold block colours were popular fashion choices this year

Jamie Melham (pictured, right, with retired jockey Michelle Payne, left) made history as the first female jockey to complete the Caulfield-Melbourne Cups

Attendance for the Melbourne Cup has steadily increased in recent years

Melbourne Cup attendees were all smiles through the festivities

Racegoers grabbed a break from the chaos wherever they could

The rain poured down on Melbourne Cup attendees

Melbourne Cup attendees enjoyed a day of fun on Tuesday

Melbourne Cup attendees made the most of pauses in the rain

The rainy weather didn’t dampen the mood for attendees 

Even the poor weather couldn’t damper racegoers’ spirit

Racegoers headed home after a long day at the racecourse

Helicopters buzzed overhead ferrying VIP guests to the exclusive Birdcage filled with high-profile guests, sports stars, socialites and titans of industry.

MasterChef judge Melissa Leong wore a bright green long sleeve dress and was impressed by how the crowd played with different textures.

‘For me, when it comes to spring racing it’s all about watching the fashion,’ she said.

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop chose a long orange dress for a busy day of marquee hopping but said wet weather played no part in her outfit choice.

‘Rain, hail or shine, I had the outfit,’ she said.

After easing to start at $9, five-year-old gelding Half Yours produced an explosive finish in the Flemington straight to charge to victory in the 3200m staying test by 2.75 lengths.

Two-time winner Joseph O’Brien’s Irish mare Goodie Two Shoes finished second at $41.

Ciaron Maher’s Middle Earth took third a further 1.5 lengths away at $26, with Chris Waller’s mare River Of Stars fourth at $19. French raider Presage Nocturne failed to flatter in 19th place after being heavily backed into $5.50 favouritism.

Ten of thousands visited Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday for the Melbourne Cup

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop described many racegoers’ commitment to dressing up ‘rail, hail or shine’

Outfits came apart as attendees faced rain and cold

Popular accessories included umbrellas and raincoats due to the wet weather

Many attendees braved the conditions in the name of fashion

Thousands of attendees were dressed to the nine for the fun day out

Umbrellas were a top accessory this year as rain tumbled down on the crowd

Racegoers made the most of the rainy day

Attendees didn’t let the rain dampen their mood

Attendees who stuck out the rain enjoyed a concert

Attendees were seen having fun around the racecourse

‘It’s been long enough, 10 years. I had to do it sooner or later,’ Melham said of joining Payne as a Melbourne Cup winner.

‘All week I’ve been thinking about it, been excited, but no feeling can describe what I felt just then – what I’m still feeling.’

Melham steered through several gaps, including one to move past husband Ben Melham on Smokin’ Romans, to secure the win.

‘It’s all the horse. What an absolute tough, legend of a horse,’ Melham said.

‘We ran through the race about 10 or 20 times last night about where I want to be in the race. That was exactly where I wanted to be.

‘I wanted the first wave to go and it did, and we cut the corner and could not script it any better.

‘You need the horse underneath you to do that for you and the gaps were small, but the horse didn’t for a second hesitate.

‘That’s the sort of horse you need in these races.’ 

Plenty of security and police watched over the large crowd

Strategic racegoers claimed their plot in the massive crowd

Wet weather caught some attendees off guard

Thousands visited Flemington Racecourse for the Melbourne Cup

Attendees fought to stay dry in the wet weather

Thousands attended this year’s Melbourne Cup

Even while resting up, attendees enjoyed the fun

Racegoers soaked up any sunshine they could get

Melham’s relationship with the McEvoys dates back more than 15 years to when she was an up-and-coming jockey in Adelaide, then known as Jamie Kah.

‘I wouldn’t want to do this for anybody else in this industry,’ Melham said, looking at the McEvoys.

‘That was just the best, to do it for you two. You’re now Melbourne Cup-winning trainers.’

The McEvoys played a role in Melham’s move to Victoria, where she became the first jockey – male or female – to ride 100 winners in a Melbourne metropolitan season.

She was suspended by Racing Victoria for five months in 2021 for breaching Covid regulations, and spent several days in an induced coma after a horror fall at Flemington in 2023.

The 29-year-old, who married fellow jockey Ben Melham in January this year, recovered from her fall and fought back to reclaim her place at the top of the game.