Ben Melham: Jockey, Suspension, Family, Net Worth & More

Few Australian jockeys have ridden at the highest level while also navigating the kind of personal scrutiny that follows Ben Melham. A 22-time Group 1 winner, he first captured the public’s attention guiding the legendary Black Caviar to victory — but behind the racing accolades lie suspensions, family questions, and a career under constant review.

Born: 1988 ·
Occupation: Australian jockey ·
Spouse: Jamie Melham ·
First Group 1 Win: Black Caviar ·
Suspensions: Two-month ban (2019) and 10-meeting ban ·
Residence: Mount Eliza, Victoria

Eight key facts about Ben Melham, from his birth year to his suspension record:

How many children does Ben Melham have?

Ben Melham’s marriage to Jamie Melham

Ben Melham is married to Jamie Melham, a fellow jockey. The couple has been described as a “power couple” in Australian racing (Yahoo Australia). However, the number of children they have—if any—has not been publicly confirmed.

Where does Ben Melham live?

• Ben Melham resides in Mount Eliza, Victoria, a coastal suburb southeast of Melbourne (Racing.com).
• The couple has been linked to a property listing in the area, though ownership details are private.

The pattern: private personal details remain outside public record, even as Melham’s professional life draws constant attention.

Why isn’t Ben Melham riding?

Ben Melham’s suspension history

Ben Melham has faced multiple riding bans over the years. In 2019, he was suspended for two months after a racing incident (Practical Puniting). More recently, he was handed a 10-meeting ban for careless riding at Caulfield (7NEWS).

• An eight-meeting suspension followed for a separate careless riding offence on Shaggy (7NEWS, same source as above).
• Racing Victoria stewards also fined him for misconduct after an incident at Flemington in March 2024 (Racing.com).
• In January 2026, stewards found Melham guilty under AR131(a), leading to a 13-day ban from February 1–13 (Racing.com).

Current riding status

As of early 2026, Ben Melham has been sidelined by the latest ban. His earlier suspensions have also caused gaps in his riding schedule. Whether he will return to full-time riding after the current penalty is not known. The pattern of repeated bans suggests a career at a crossroads.

The implication: each ban tightens scrutiny around his career, and the margin for error narrows with every infraction.

How much is Ben Melham worth?

Ben Melham’s career earnings

No verified net worth figure is available for Ben Melham. He has not publicly disclosed his earnings. However, his success on the track—especially his association with Group 1 horses like Black Caviar—suggests he has earned significant prize money and riding fees (Racing.com describes him as a 22-time Group 1 winner).

Prize money and endorsements

• His first Group 1 victory came aboard Black Caviar, one of the most famous racehorses in Australian history (Wikipedia).
• He has also won on numerous other horses, though specific career prize totals are not aggregated in public sources.

What this means: financial transparency is rare for jockeys, and Melham’s earnings remain a gap in the public record.

Are Ben and Jamie Melham related?

Jamie Melham’s background

Jamie Melham is also a professional jockey based in Victoria. She and Ben Melham share the same surname because they are married—they are not related by blood. The couple has been featured together in racing media as a “power couple” (Yahoo Australia).

Allegations against Jamie Melham

Unconfirmed allegations have been made regarding Jamie Melham, but no specific details or charges have been published in the sources reviewed. The topic appears in people-also-asked queries, but substantive information is lacking.

The catch: unsubstantiated claims circulate online, but no official findings back them — leaving the record incomplete.

What is Katelyn Mallyon doing now?

Katelyn Mallyon’s career after riding

Katelyn Mallyon, a former jockey, was Ben Melham’s partner before his marriage to Jamie Melham (Wikipedia). After retiring from race riding, she pursued other ventures, but detailed updates on her current activities are not available in the sources used for this article. The question “What is Katelyn Mallyon doing now?” remains largely unanswered in public records.

Relationship with Ben Melham

Mallyon and Melham’s relationship ended several years ago. Neither has publicly discussed the breakup in detail. Mallyon has kept a low profile since leaving the sport.

The pattern: former racing figures often leave the public eye entirely, and Mallyon’s post-racing life fits that trend.

It was a bizarre incident.

Racing.com (Victoria racing authority)

Stewards conclude investigation into race involving married jockeys.

7NEWS (Australian news outlet)

Ben Melham’s disciplinary record now overshadows his racing achievements. Each ban tightens the scrutiny around his career and personal life.

Ben Melham’s path forward depends on his ability to stay clear of further infractions. For the jockey, the choice is plain: adapt to stricter racing rules, or face permanent sidelining. For the sport, his case underscores the tension between winning records and regulatory compliance.

Related reading: Damien Oliver: Still Married? Surfing Accident, Net Worth, GOAT

Frequently asked questions

For Australian racing regulators, Melham’s case highlights the need for consistent penalty enforcement. For fans, the story is one of talent repeatedly clashing with rules—and the stakes keep rising.