Few get to live their dreams. So that would make me one of the privileged. I dreamt about it and dreamt about it but even now I can without a doubt say it was much, much better in real life.

Riding horses had, over the last couple of years, become a passionate hobby, almost a vocation. One that had a goal at the end of it and while that goal was always there, it often felt unrealistic. According to some, it was unachievable.

As it turned out, that goal was neither of the above and ever since winning Saturday's Diageo Ireland Punchestown Kidney Research Charity Race, I have been waiting to wake up to realise it was all a dream. But at this stage I'm beginning to realise it actually really happened.

At my local track, one of Ireland's top sporting amphitheatres, I realised a dream and enjoyed the greatest day of my life when aboard the Philip Dempsey-trained and the Pride And Soul Syndicate-owned Prospectorous. I led home 24 others in the concluding race of the Irish National Hunt Festival.

dedicated

Nothing that I have ever done before have I dedicated more time or effort to, and with Saturday's emotional success came a great sense of satisfaction and achievement -- it was a 'testament to perseverance', a former jockey said to me yesterday.

The early mornings; the painful drives in the wet; wind and snow; tired or maybe even hungover; the falls; the stupid mistakes; the truly deserved bollockings; the not-so-deserved ones; they were all worthwhile as I crossed the line in front by a diminishing neck in Saturday's race.

It was special, very special. The Lotto, Euromillions or the Sheikhs couldn't buy it. And even after winning it, I struggle to put the feeling into words.

Memories of the couple of years, talking about learning how to ride before putting it into practice, came rushing back. Two and a half years ago, a good friend and a friend for life, Peter Parkhill, pointed me in the direction and sent me on the way. Only for him I may have never sat on a horse to this day.

Philip Dempsey then took over the reins and only for his patience (which was tested to the hilt on many occasions) I certainly would not be writing this article now.

While Philip was there to give me a leg up and then meet me on the way back in, it was great that Peter was there too, and I think both of them got a good kick out of it.

The DVD is almost worn out. Every time somebody different calls over, they have to see it. The photographs are permanently fixed in my head and the goodwill messages are still being replied to. Cloud Nine is a good spot I can tell you.

The race worked out perfect. Philip was keen for me to be up near the front if I could. So, at the start, I told the Starter that I was going to jump off in front so he would then get the rest of the horses to slot in accordingly.

If something was going to go too fast, that was fine, I'd sit and let them off. But I was going to try my best to dictate it from the front if I could. I was left in front inside the first furlong or so and I had that lead until we were just about to leave the backstraight.

To be honest, I knew I was probably going a shade quick, but after Tony McCoy won on Prospectorous at Perth the one thing he said was that he had plenty of speed. So I was happy enough, and was confident in the horse, that he would stay at the back of it. He was enjoying himself so I wasn't going to change that.

When the horse joined me I was delighted. Prospectorous was just starting to idle slightly in front. For a good 1m2f, he hadn't seen another horse, a hurdle or a fence. He was just beginning to get a bit bored if anything. When the horse came upsides him and went on, he picked up again and with a few slaps down the shoulder in the home straight he really began to finish it out well.

When I saw the purple colours of Paddy McLoughlin on the Dermot Weld horse turning in I did get worried for a split second. But there was no time to be thinking about him, I just got down to getting a bit more out of my own lad and fair play to him, he kept going all the way to the line.

The Ted Walsh-trained Paramount absolutely flew home and gave a few people in the stands a bit of a shock. There were a few watching the DVD back that still think he went by me. But the line came at the right time, although even by the line I don't think Paramount ever went by me.

A few of the pictures taken at the winning post show my reaction as I passed the line and knew I had won. I couldn't believe it. All week, I thought I was riding a horse with a chance. But I didn't want to think about it, as building yourself up to be on a horse that is going to take beating is very hard if that horse in turn takes a beating.

There was a moment when I knew a photo-finish had been called and a little doubt crept in. But a glance to the big screen told me that I had just realised that dream and all that mattered then was finding Sandra Hughes and Hardy Eustace to get a priceless snap with the dual Champion Hurdler who had finished fourth on his final start and was an equine legend and a personal favourite.

The walk back in was magical. It's a long walk from the horse gate to the winner's enclosure at Punchestown and there were an awful lot of friends and family there to congratulate me on my return.

The arrival into the winner's enclosure, though, was a moment I will never forget. I must admit I gave it socks -- as if I had won the Gold Cup or something -- but I had in a sense. This was my Gold Cup.

In fact, this was my Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Grand National all rolled into one.

grateful

With the exception of my sister, her husband and nephew, who were unable to travel from London, everyone who I wanted to be there was there to enjoy it as they had a fair idea as to how much it meant

In truth, though, only Philip and his wife Regina have really seen how much it means and what has gone into it, and they will never know how indebted I am for everything.

The celebrations went on long into the night, and beyond and, to be honest, are not over yet!

It was super for the Pride And Soul Syndicate to enjoy their first ever winner at a meeting like the Punchestown Festival and it was the first time Prospectorous ran under their ownership.

They have been owners with Philip for a couple of seasons now and were unfortunate with their last horse Theribtickler, but are some of the most optimistic and best owners you could meet. They deserve all the success they get in the game, and I was so grateful they agreed to let me ride Prospectorous.

Ever since he joined Philip's, he was the one horse I wanted to ride in the race. He is a pure gentleman of a horse, no badness in him, a lovely ride and is real genuine. He won in Perth on his second run for Philip and, after another a couple of runs, he was let off for a little break. When he came back in, it was in my head that the charity race would fit in perfect, although I had yet to mention it to Philip and I am sure the charity race was far from his head for Prospectorous!

The charity race was brought up in a few conversations after but Prospectorous wasn't, until one day a couple of weeks before the entries were due to close. I put his name into the ring and fair play to Philip -- after just a little stutter, he said: "I won't rule him out."

It was then the dreams of joining the legends Michael Kinane, Ruby Walsh and Tony McCoy, the only three to previously win on the horse, began.

I don't think I will forget the day Philip said to me at the horsewalker, "you can ride Prospectorous".

I know I'll certainly never forget the day I won on him. Thanks again to Philip and the Pride And Soul Syndicate.