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During the week the jockey revealed she had changed her famous surname from Kah to Melham because she was “old school”, and liked the idea of taking her husband’s name.
Maybe that’s why McKenna held her so dear. He was never one to beat around the bush. He was “old school”, too.
“He put me on when I was claiming three [kilograms as an apprentice] and he kept putting me on and backing me,” she said.
“I went through some tough times in racing, and he would call me every day, and ring me every day, and make sure I was OK, and make me come and stay with him and [his wife] Janice.”
Melham also revealed during the past week that McKenna had given her a wedding message from the grave.
“I was quite strong at my wedding. I didn’t cry when Ben read his vows, but when Janice walked up to me and told me what Colin would like to tell me, they gave me a bit of life advice, I lost it. I just couldn’t stop crying,” she said.
Newly married couple Ben and Jamie Melham. Credit: Courtesy of Jamie Melham
“He said, ’You are going to be angry at times, but every day you are angry at each other you have to go to bed and say, ‘I love you’ every night, and wake up and say, ‘I love you’ every morning’.”
As Melham returned to scale on Another Wil, having edged out eight-time group 1 winner Mr Brightside by a head, her husband, Ben, watched on from the jockeys’ room while McKenna’s widow strode out to meet the winning jockey by the rails. She, too, was in tears.
As they returned to scale, the jockey dismounted, and they shared a long embrace.
“I thought about this day, I dreamed about it the last few days, but it’s amazing that things like this happen in racing,” the 15-time group 1-winning hoop said.
Ciaron Maher and Jamie Melham after Another Wil wins the Orr Stakes at Caulfield.Credit: Getty Images
“There’s a God in racing … this horse has deserved it for so many starts, but to do it for Col after his birthday on Tuesday is just amazing.
“I don’t think I’m talking sense right now, this is just gibberish, but Col that’s for you. We love you.”
Trainer Ciaron Maher was struggling to hold back the emotions, too . Maher grew up in Warrnambool and McKenna backed his career from the start. He was a financial supporter, a mentor and a mate.
“Colin always loved this horse,” the trainer said. “I’ve resisted the temptation to take him to that top level because he needed time to mature and Col was always very patient, and it’s probably not fitting he can’t be here.
“He just would have been so thrilled, but I’m pretty proud, and he’s just such a great mentor and friend and supporter. It’s just beautiful.”
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