Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle provided Henry de Bromhead with one of the most emotional victories in the history of horse racing at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday.
Just six months after the Waterford trainer's 13-year-old son Jack tragically died following a fall during a beach race in Co Kerry, the supermare won at the Festival for the fourth year in a row in what looks to have been her final race.
Moments after crossing the finishing line on the 9/4 joint-favourite, Blackmore fought back tears as she paid tribute to little Jack.
She said: "We all wish a very special kid could be here today but he's watching down on us.
"She's unbelievable, the way Henry has produced her every day is phenomenal.
"She's just a phenomenal mare and has been amazing for my career.
"She's just a credit to everyone. Kenny (Alexander, owner) is one of the coolest owners you'll ever ride for."
De Bromhead, who was at the races with his wife and Jack's mother Heather, celebrated in the parade ring with Tubs McNally, one of Jack's best friends who rode alongside him in pony races.
He added: "We're really grateful for the support and the reception. It's been an incredibly tough time.
"You dream that this sort of win would happen but more often than not they don't so it's amazing.
"I think it's the result that everybody wanted. She's an incredible mare and Rachael is also incredible. We're just so lucky to have had her."
Legendary jockey AP McCoy also paid tribute to Jack, saying: "This was meant to happen and little Jack was looking down. He played a part in it."
Meanwhile, it was a day to remember at Cheltenham for Irish youngster Michael O'Sullivan, who was the toast of the Cotswolds after riding a 103/1 double.
The Cork jockey won the opening race of the week for owner-come-trainer Barry Connell on board Marine Nationale (9/2).
What was a bitterly cold morning turned into a lovely afternoon and the sun was shining down on Prestbury Park by the time the Supreme Novices' Hurdle commenced at 1.30pm.
O'Sullivan was incredibly only riding around Cheltenham for the second time in his career, but looked like an experienced pro as he delivered Marine Nationale perfectly to win the £135,000 race.
And he followed up in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle later in the day on Jazzy Matty (18/1) for Meath trainer Gordon Elliott.
The 22-year-old was in college for the opening day of the famous meeting 12 months ago and admitted it was a dream come true to get a winner at the Festival.
He said: “I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was a kid. It’s a bit surreal and it won’t sink in yet, this year has been so good it’s hard to appreciate it, I don’t think it can be topped but I’m just enjoying every minute of it.”
O'Sullivan, whose father William and cousin Maxine have also ridden winners at Cheltenham, was full of praise for the trainer and thanked him for putting so much trust in him.
He added: "He (Barry) has been very, very good to me. He's put a lot of faith in me. He's put an awful lot of money into the game and he deserves everything that he gets out of it.
"He's put me on very good horses and I'm just very privileged to be in this position.
"He didn't even give me instructions today.
"My father rode a winner here and Maxine (cousin) did for my uncle.
"I was in college this time last year in UCD and finished my degree in May in Animal Science. I could have watched this race last year on my laptop in college.
And Connell was equally as delighted, joking that he would have had to wear a disguise on the boat back to Ireland if he didn't get a winner this week, with another of his fancied runners, Good Land, set to run in the opening race on Wednesday.
Former stockbroker Connell added: “Best feeling of all time! I put a lot of pressure on myself, saying he was the best horse I’ve ever had. He’s very, very quick. He’s unlike any other horse we’ve had before - they were mainly stayers, the G1 horses - this is a quick horse, he’s probably a G1 horse on the Flat, and we might get around to that at some stage.
"But today was his day. He’s had five runs and won all five. His jockey is a superstar. My staff are the best staff anywhere in the world - they’ve made the whole operation and I’d like to say a fantastic thanks to all the staff.
“I put huge pressure on myself. I came over on the boat and every Irish person was on the boat. I told them all to back the two horses, I said they were the two best novice horses in Ireland, so at least I’m off the hook, partially. Or I would have had to put on a disguise going home if we’d got beat!
On his young jockey, Connell commented: "We’re absolutely blessed to have found the next superstar of the weighing-room in Michael O’Sullivan.
"You mark his name. Did you ever see a cooler ride in Cheltenham? Unbelievable."
Irish eyes were smiling once again in the second race as El Fabiolo landed the Arkle Chase for the powerful trainer/jockey combination of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, with Honeysuckle's victory coming after back to back victories for the UK with Corach Rambler in the Ultima and superstar Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle.
But further wins for the Irish came in the shape of Jazzy Matty and Gaillard Du Mesnil to leave the score 5-2 in our favour going into day two.
Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe was among the thousands in attendance at Cheltenham on Tuesday after a night on the town on Monday and was enjoying the friendly nature of the Ireland v England rivalry.
He explained: "It not like the match on Saturday. There's a lot more humour and the English never expect to win anyway.
"You know, they haven't won for a number of years. We've always had the strength and depth and the money. The money over here isn't the same anymore. So better off they make more money on the Irish race tracks."
He added: "I have a terrible hangover already. Last night if you call that magic, yeah, wake up feeling crap and yes, it's a different kind of, you know.
"I've got a lot of my friends here. You know from Dublin. I kind of feel a great bond and it's a very good natured week. I think that's what's great about Cheltenham. It's not like the flat races which are all very intense, very money lead. No, no, this is for the average guys like us."
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