It's not easy for Irish-born jockey Shane Jackson to put into words the elation he felt when he won the Grand Annual Steeplechase on Tuesday.
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The 33-year-old said it was the race he desperately wanted to win since moving to Warrnambool with his wife Lauren and their son Joseph, now 9, eight years ago.
"It's the race I've wanted to win most while we've been here," he said.
"I've come close on a couple of occasions but I've never won. It's great to finally tick it off the list."
In addition to that, Jackson feels incredibly lucky to be able to provide for his family - which now includes another son Bobby, 4, in these uncertain times.
Horse racing has been suspended in many countries - including Ireland - due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"We're very lucky that we're still racing," Jackson said.
"The racing industry has done a great job here.
"A lot of my mates back home have no work at all."
Jackson said it was a bitter pill for Ireland residents, as the country was just beginning to recover from its economic collapse in 2008.
"A lot of people are doing it tough," Jackson said.
"They were starting to come back but this will be another big hit for them."
He said he was now even more pleased he made the decision to move to Warrnambool.
"It's a great place to live," Jackson said.
He said he and his wife had made the decision to remain in Warrnambool.
Jackson said his phone had not stopped ringing since his win on Tuesday.
"Everyone has been ringing up to congratulate me and my family stayed up all night and watched it," he said.
In addition to the well-wishes, many people have reached out to his wife, who went viral on Facebook after she uploaded a video of her celebrating the win.
She watched the race with the couple's two sons and is clearly elated, jumping up and down in their lounge room before embracing older son Joseph.
"It's very good to see the support and the emotion you have coming from home," Jackson said about his wife's elated reaction to his win.
"The video's gone viral - people from everywhere are commenting about it."
Jackson said his wife took a break from homeschooling Joseph to watch him win the race.
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