- Jamie Melham gives an emotional speech after victory
- Star Jockey paid tribute to the late friend Colin McKenna
The Jockey champion Jamie Melham had the rodeators in tears on Saturday after winning the orr bets of Group 1 of 1400 meters for his late dear friend Colin McKenna.
Melham, previously known as Kah, won his first race of Group 1 under his new name in Caulfield, associating Ciaron Maher trained another Wil to Victory.
The horse was raised by Colin and Janice McKenna, however, Colin died last year of cancer and was not close to witnessing another win of Wil.
“I have thought about this day, I dreamed of that the last days, and it is surprising that things like this in the races happen,” Melham said after the race.
'There is a god in the races … This horse has deserved it for so many openings, but doing it for Col after his birthday was Tuesday is simply incredible.
'I know he is looking at us and another got up for his father. That was incredible.
Jamie Melham cried after his victory with emotion on Saturday
Melham paid tribute to his late dear friend Colin McKenna
The coach Ciaron talked about the affection of Colin McKenna for the horse.
“Colin always loved this particular horse,” said Maher.
'I resisted the temptation to take it to that higher level because I needed time to mature, and Col was always very patient and it is not appropriate that it cannot be here.
'I would simply have been so excited, but I'm quite proud.
'He was a great mentor and friend and supporter. It is simply beautiful.
Melham married his fellow rider Ben Melham in an impressive rural ceremony two weeks ago.
“We have both had some incredible days, but yesterday was at the top,” the couple said in a statement to Race Net.
“The best day of our lives together, shared with some incredible people.”
The coach Ciaron Maher (in the photo) said that Colin McKenna would have been excited
Melham recently revealed that she would take her husband's last name because she is 'old school'.
The last years have been agitated for Melham, who recently received a suspension of 10 races for careless driving.
He also suffered a horror drop in Flemington in April 2023.
Both Kah and Craig Williams, another leading Australian rider, were thrown from their horses during a race.
Kah's horse steering wheel stumbled on Veight's heels, the last winner, which makes her collide with the grass.
Both Kah and Williams were hospitalized.
Kah was unconscious and had to be very sedated, but fortunately, he did not suffer serious brain injuries or skull fractures.