The three time Champion Jumps Jockey in Britain and the current holder Richard Johnson has been given the honour of an OBE by the Queen and will be acknowledged on Friday in the New Year's Honours List.
Johnson this year went on to to complete another milestone in what was already a superb career but he has now reached over 3,500 winners in Britain.
The 41 year old jockey is still at the top of his game and had to wait along time before he picked up his first jockeys title but when A P McCoy retired he has never been beat for the title and is leading the way to take his fourth championship in a row.
The Herefordshire born rider has one of the most decorated CV's in the sport including two Cheltenham Gold Cups with his latest coming at the 2018 festival on board Native River, a Queen Mother Champion Chase and a Champion Hurdle at the festival.
He has been recognised by the Queen for his services to horse racing that did come as a shock to the jockey but to the racing world it did not with the plaudits flying in for him.
(Credit Racing Post) Johnson said: "It's a massive honour to receive something like this and it's also a bit of a shock.
"It's amazing to get talked about in the same breath as a lot of these people and it was certainly a nice surprise when I got home and saw the letter. Racing has been my whole life and I think it's for duration more than anything else."
Johnson still has more years ahead of him at the top of the game all being well and avoiding injury and this OBE tops of a perfect year for the rider who more than likely will defend his jockey title.
(Credit Racing Post) The jockey added:"I've been very fortunate to have a fantastic career and I'm lucky to be honoured for something I love doing.
"It's very special to be recognised by the Queen on a national level and it's something I'm very proud of."