I’M always nervous watching ‘Lee’ race, but I’ve never lost faith in him. I watched the race in the little viewing area for stable staff and I started going into shock when I saw how well he was going for J.J. I thought I was dreaming as they were coming up the hill.

As I was shaking, one of Gordon Elliott’s lads put his arm around me and said “He’s got it, he’s got it” and I just started crying. I couldn’t believe it - I’m still crying now every time I think about it. It’s a mixture of shock, excitement and delight.

I’ve looked after some really good horses - including Joseph’s first Group 1 winner - but ‘Lee’ is like a part of the family, he’s been around that long. He’s got a following and for him to go and do that this week means more than anything.

I was still nervous leading him into the winner’s enclosure, because the noise there frightened him two years ago, when Teahupoo arrived in and the place erupted. But this time, the shouting and roaring was sort of consistent all the way back in, and he was very well behaved.

I was trying to take everything in, because this stuff doesn’t happen every day or every year. There was no time to celebrate. We were a long time in the vet’s box getting a urine sample and when we got back to the stableyard, there was already a plaque with his name on the side of his box. That will be there for evermore.

We were soon off again in the lorry to the ferryport. We travelled through the night and I didn’t sleep a wink, because I had so many texts to reply to and videos to watch.

We got home at 9am on Friday and, despite a rough ferry crossing, you wouldn’t even think ‘Lee’ had a race. He got off the lorry, not a bother on him, went into his stable, had a roll, a pick of grass, and put his head down into the feed pot. The two lads who look after him, Louis and Adrian, were there to give him a hug. His usual rider at home is Lauren O’Malley.

I’ve been with Joseph for 10 years. I’m originally from Strabane in Co Tyrone, but now I am settled just a few minutes from the yard and we have three children - Alfie, Anna and Louis. They are just as mad about ‘Lee’ as I am, and I have promised to bring them to the yard this weekend.

About 18 months ago, I moved from the yard into the office, so I am not as hands-on as I used to be.

I have been to Cheltenham five times with ‘Lee’ and I never lost faith in him.

Last year, we were 100% sure he was going to win and he was brought down. The year before, he finished third and before that he was fifth and sixth. He has always performed and never got the credit he deserved. He always puts his heart into it.

This season Joseph wanted to change things up a bit, so we missed Navan before Christmas and went straight to Leopardstown at Christmas. It was a big ask for an older horse, because they take longer to get fit and he ran a blinder. Then he went to Gowran and won, and then on to Cheltenham. His first three runs each season are when you see the best of him. Joseph is a magician.

The horse’s owner-breeder Sean O’Driscoll is a very special man. He is so generous and thoughtful. When my mother was dying, Sean called and texted me all the time to see how she was. He loves his horses too.

I’d love to give a mention also to Liam and Rosie Casey of Poulmucka Stables in Clonmel, who look after all of Sean’s horses. They foaled, reared and broke ‘Lee’ and that should be recognised.