Lester

Legendary jockey Lester Piggott died peacefully on Sunday morning in Switzerland, aged 86.

Lester was known internationally for a glittering riding career that lasted the best part of 50 years.

He was the champion apprentice three times and champion jockey 11 times between 1960 and 1982. He rode an outstanding 4,493 domestic winners, the third highest in British racing history behind only Sir Gordon Richards and Pat Eddery. Among a number of big race wins, Lester won the Derby a record nine times.

He was bred for the job; his grandfather Ernie rode three Grand National winners, and his father Keith won the Champion Hurdle as a jockey and the National as a trainer.

His father provided him with his first public ride in 1948 at the age of 12. Lester rode his first winner that year on The Chase at Haydock and, aged 18 won his first Derby in 1954 on Never Say Die.

He earned the nickname 'The Long Fellow' because of his relative tallness for a jockey at 5ft 8in. He also became popularly known as 'the housewives favourite' during a time when the Epsom Classic was the most famous race in the world.

Lester was also known to have a knack for bouncing back from difficulty, both on and off course...

After initially retiring in 1985, his training career was cut short by his conviction for tax fraud. Following a year spent behind bars, Lester made a surprise return to the saddle and rode for another four seasons.

During which time, at the age of 54, he won the Breeders' Cup Mile on Royal Academy in 1990.

Lester won his final Classic aboard Rodrigo De Triano in the 1992 2,000 Guineas before hanging up his boots for the very last time in 1995.

Lester's former weighing room colleague, Willie Carson, described him as 'magical on top of a horse'.

Coolmore chief John Magnier, for whom Lester rode, identified him as 'the greatest'.

Nine of Lester's 30 British Classic winners were trained by Vincent O’Brien, whose son, trainer Charles O'Brien, noted that he was 'an exceptionally good horseman'.

John Gosden has said there 'will never be another' like Piggott, adding that 'he was an extraordinary and totally unique man and jockey. I first knew him well in the 1970s when he was riding for Sir Noel Murless and Vincent O'Brien. They listened to and savoured everything he said, which could be quite minimalistic.'

Frankie Dettori, the only jockey to share similar fame as Lester, paid tribute 'Lester was very special and was one of my heroes'.

Piggot's son Jamie, shared that 'He was both a wonderful father and a legend who we were all fortunate to witness.'

Jockeys gathered for a minute's silence between the two Group 1 races at Longchamp on Sunday with a photograph of Lester shown on the screens. Riders wore black armbands for the third race on the card.

A minute's silence also took place before racing began at Fontwell and Uttoxeter on Sunday and before the second race at Punchestown.

Lester's time came just before the 2022 Derby, but the statue of the man who transcended the sport stands at Epsom marking his place for years to come.