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Former jumps rider Grant Young claimed unique piece of racing history on Monday as the winner of the famous Great Eastern Steeplechase at Oakbank as both a jockey and trainer.

Young rode Bruskin to victory in the Great Eastern in 2000 and returned on Monday as the trainer of the upset winner to Spying On You.

Spying On You, a $16 chance, became the first South Australian-trained winner of the Great Eastern since 2003 when he raliied late to run down the tearaway Victorian jumper Undergroundfighter in the last 50 metres and score by a half length.

Spying On You, trained by Young at Murray Bridge, was ridden desperately by Irish jumps jockey Tom Ryan to make up six lengths on Undergroundfighter in the last 200 metres.

The favourite Lord Of The Song, going for his third win the Great Eastern, was a gallant third.

The 4900m marathon over 24 jumps was completed without incident although two runners was eased out of the $160,000 race when they lost contact with the other five starters.

Spying On You wins the Great Eastern Steeplechase in a thrilling finish at @OakbankRaces. pic.twitter.com/seTW37Y9ej

— Roxanne Wilson (@roxannelwilson) April 17, 2017

Young was overwhelmed by the win before a disappointing crowd of 10,000, a far cry from Oakbank’s halcyon days when more than 40,000 packed the course in the Adelaide Hills.

“This holds a special place in my heart. Jumps racing made me the person I am today,” Young said.

“It’s not quite the same as winning a Melbourne Cup but it’s right up there.

“This horse has been to hell and back on the training track. He’s a bloody marvel and a really tough horse.”

It was also Tom Ryan’s first major win at Oakbank with the Irish rider admitting he didn’t think he would get to the leader until the last 30 metres.

“I made a bad mistake at the second last and I thought my chance was gone,” Ryan said.

“He just battled to the line. Boy he’s tough.”