Leaving Cert student John Gleeson gave JP McManus his 70th Cheltenham Festival winner in what was the young jockey's first ever ride at the meeting on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old steered A Dream To Share to victory in the Champion Bumper for 85-year-old Waterford trainer John Kiely after taking the week off school to head to the Cotswolds.
The horse was bred by John's father and racing broadcaster Brian and mother Claire, who sold him to McManus after his win at the Dublin Racing Festival in February.
John, who rides A Dream To Share out every morning before school, says his friends at St Augustine's College in Dungarvan would have got a great kick out of watching him win.
He said: "All the lads and everyone in school was watching so they’ll all get a good kick out of that.
"I got the week off thankfully the school are very supportive and they’re all watching on now so it’s great."
On winning in McManus' famous green and gold silks, the teenager added: "It’s a privilege, Mr McManus let me keep the ride and I’m very grateful to him for that.
"It’s great to get the opportunity here at Cheltenham there’s nothing like it."
The trainer was full of praise for the young pilot, commenting: "He's fantastic. He rides out every morning before school. I hope he keeps his feet on the ground."
But John said the win wouldn't change anything when it came to preparations for his Leaving Cert.
He stated: "I'll have to put my head down next week and crack on like normal but we’ll enjoy today and it’s special to get the win here."
His father Brian admitted the victory was a dream come true, saying: "We know what it means- your son riding, those colours, a maestro in John Kiely.
"The name of the horse- Claire – we always say that everything in life is worth sharing and this horse who we always thought was good and Claire on Christmas Day said ‘I call this horse A Dream To Share.’
"The dream was to win at the Cheltenham Festival."
