For the first time in 30 years an amateur jockey has one the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Sam Waley-Cohen riding his father’s six year old Long Run, caught the two favorites Kauto Star and Denman coming over the second to last fence and then jumped beautifully over the last to take the victory, winning by seven lengths.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most prestigious of all National Hunt Chase events.  The race is three miles and two-and-a-half furlongs and includes 22 jumping efforts and an uphill finish.

Waley-Cohen rode in memory of his brother, Thomas, who died at the age of 20 from bone cancer — his initials are sewn onto Waley-Cohen’s saddle pad so it feels like his brother is with hom. According to an article in the Daily Mail, Waley-Cohen said, “Losing him means I strive to make the most of every second of every day.”