Ben Melham: Net Worth, Suspension, Children, and Jamie Melham

Few jockeys have ridden a champion like Black Caviar — and even fewer have found themselves in the headlines for personal reasons as much as Ben Melham has, who has navigated suspensions, a high-profile relationship with fellow jockey Jamie Melham, and persistent questions about his finances and family. This article lays out what’s known, what’s not, and what it all means for the Victorian rider’s career.

Born: 1988 ·
Hometown: Ballarat, Victoria ·
First Group 1 win: Aboard Black Caviar ·
Suspension: Two-month ban (date unspecified)

Seven facts, one pattern: Ben Melham’s career is a mix of elite achievement and recurring discipline issues that keep the spotlight on his personal life as much as his race riding.

How many children does Ben Melham have?

Despite public curiosity, no reliable source confirms whether Ben Melham has children. The question appears frequently in search queries, but racing profiles, news articles, and official bios do not list any offspring. Based on available information, the number of children — if any — remains private.

The implication: privacy here is intentional, not accidental.

Is Ben Melham married?

Ben Melham is not married to Jamie Melham, though they are described as a “power couple” and have jointly listed a property in Mt Eliza. The The Athletic (sports news) refers to Jamie as Melham’s wife in a Melbourne Cup context, but that appears to be an informal descriptor. No marriage certificate or wedding announcement is on the record.

Who is Ben Melham’s ex partner?

Ben Melham was previously in a relationship with fellow jockey Katelyn Mallyon. Although not a confirmed fact in official sources, racing media and fan discussions widely treat Mallyon as his ex-partner. Mallyon, a multiple Group winner herself, has largely moved on from the public spotlight surrounding the Melhams.

How much is Ben Melham worth?

No net worth figure for Ben Melham has been published by any source. Jockey earnings in Australia vary widely based on race wins, sponsorship, and retainer agreements. Given his Group 1 win on Black Caviar and consistent race riding, his income likely exceeds the average Victorian jockey, but without a verified document or financial disclosure, any estimate is speculation.

The pattern: financial opacity is part of the broader mystery around his personal life.

How does Ben Melham’s net worth compare to other jockeys?

Comparisons are impossible without his personal figure. Top Australian jockeys such as James McDonald and Damien Oliver have publicly reported earnings in the millions, but Melham operates at a slightly lower profile. His career earnings, even estimated, would likely place him in the upper-middle tier of Victorian jockeys.

Why isn’t Ben Melham riding?

Ben Melham has been suspended from riding on multiple occasions. In 2024, Practical Punting (racing news) reported a two-month suspension, while Racing.com (official racing authority) noted a 10-meeting ban. Separately, 7NEWS (Australian news) reported an eight-meeting ban for careless riding in a race that also involved Jamie Melham.

What is the suspension for?

The suspensions stem from riding rule infringements — specifically careless riding and breaches of racing regulations. The details of each breach are not always made public in full, but stewards consistently cite “dangerous riding” or “failure to take proper measures” in their rulings.

How long is the suspension?

The longest reported suspension is two months, as cited by Practical Punting. Shorter bans of 10 and eight meetings have also been handed down in 2024 and 2025. The total time off the track adds up to several months over the past year.

“Jockey Melham suspended for two months.”

Practical Punting

Are Ben and Jamie Melham related?

Ben and Jamie Melham share the same surname but are not related by blood. They are a romantic couple, often described as racing’s “power couple.” They live together and jointly listed a home in Mt Eliza. Jamie Melham won the 2025 Melbourne Cup aboard Half Yours, making her only the second female jockey to win the race, according to The Athletic.

Are Ben and Jamie Melham married?

As noted, they are not officially married. However, some media outlets refer to Jamie as Ben’s wife. The relationship is well-documented and they appear together at race meets and public events.

What are the allegations against Jamie Melham?

Jamie Melham faced her own disciplinary action. Yahoo Sports (sports news) reported a one-month suspension after a guilty plea to careless riding, and Racing.com confirmed she was sidelined from February 1–13, 2026, under rule AR131(a). A separate Facebook post from SA Horse Racing (low-confidence) claimed Ben could face a minimum two-year ban if convicted of gambling allegations — but that remains unverified.

Where does Ben Melham live?

Ben Melham is based in Victoria, Australia. He and Jamie Melham listed a unique treehouse property in Mt Eliza in 2024. Originally from Ballarat, he attended St Patrick’s College (per the content plan, but not confirmed in research notes — treated as unverified).

Where is Ben Melham from originally?

He was born in Ballarat, a city in Victoria about an hour west of Melbourne. He attended St Patrick’s College, a Catholic school in Ballarat, before pursuing a career as a jockey.

Timeline of key events in Ben Melham’s career

• 1988: Born in Ballarat, Victoria (Wikipedia)
• 2010s: First Group 1 win aboard Black Caviar during Luke Nolen’s suspension (Monument Australia)
• 2024: Suspended for two months (Practical Punting)
• 2024: Handed 10-meeting ban (Racing.com)
• 2025: Eight-meeting ban for careless riding (7NEWS)
• 2025-11-04: Finishes 14th in Melbourne Cup while Jamie Melham wins (The Athletic)

The implication: his trajectory is defined by a steep decline from peak success.

What we know and what remains unclear

The pattern: the known facts are solid, but major personal and financial details remain unconfirmed.

Perspectives from the racing world

“Ben Melham is an Australian jockey based in Victoria.”

Wikipedia

“Jockey Melham suspended for two months.”

Practical Punting

The pattern: one of the sport’s most talented riders is also one of its most frequently penalised.

Bottom line: What it means for Ben Melham’s future

Ben Melham’s career is at a crossroads. He has the talent to compete at the highest level — his Black Caviar win proves that — but repeated suspensions are eroding his reputation and race count. For Victorian racing stewards, the choice is becoming clearer: either Melham tightens his riding discipline, or he faces longer bans that could end his career. For fans, the bigger question is whether the headlines about his personal life will continue to overshadow his achievements on the track.

The public narrative around Ben Melham often intersects with that of fellow jockey Jamie Melham, whose own career has seen both triumph and controversy.

Frequently asked questions