The Centaur Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/may/29/lester-piggott-outstanding-jockey-of-post-war-era-dies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 World’s greatest ever jockey Lester Piggott dies, aged 86 www.racenet.com.au Tributes are flowing from around the world for Lester Piggott, named by many as the greatest jockey ever after his passing aged 86. The legendary British rider rode for almost 50 years amassing 4493 winners and was crowned champion jockey 11 times. Piggott, who rode a record nine Derby winners died peacefully in the early hours of this morning in Switzerland where he lived the later part of his life. The winner of more than 300 Group 1 races around the world Piggott starting his career as a 10 year-old working for his father’s stable and rode his first winner aged 12 in 1948 on a horse called The Chase at Haydock Park. Piggott also rode a staggering 116 Royal Ascot winners and a record 30 English Classics with his nine Derby winners complemented by eight St Legers, six Oaks, five 2000 Guineas and two 1000 Guineas. Nicknamed ‘The Long Fellow” due to his height (173cm) Piggott struggled to keep his weight down below 54kg but this never stopped him becoming the third winningest jockey in British racing history behind Sir Gordon Richards (4870) and Pat Eddery (4633). Piggott retired in 1985 to become a trainer but that was short-lived when he was convicted of tax fraud and jailed, along with being stripped of his OBE. He was released from jail after serving 366 days in prison. Piggott then went back to the saddle in 1990 and incredibly won the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Belmont Park on Royal Academy only 10 days after returning to race riding. Rest in peace Lester Piggott. The greatest. https://t.co/VdHN7ADTtY — Mark McStay 🇺🇦 (@mcstayagent) May 29, 2022 He rode his last winner in Britain in October 1994 with his last ride at ‘home’ in November the same year. Piggott then briefly rode selectively abroad into 1995 including winning the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra on Zadok in March that year. Some of the most Some of the most notable horses Piggott was associated with over his career included the last horse to win the English Triple Crown Nijinsky, Sir Ivor, Alleged, The Minstrel, Rodrigo de Triano, Never Say Die, Petite Etoile, St Paddy, Never Say Die, Teenoso, Empery, Shadeed and Royal Academy. Champion jockey Frankie Dettori told Racing TV: “Lester was very special and was one of my heroes. I was one of the lucky ones (to have ridden against him). I was in that race he won on Royal Academy (Breeders’ Cup) and I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. A month out of retirement and he did what he did, it proves what a legend he was.” William Haggas, son-in-law of Lester Piggott, is well known to Australian’s as the trainer of two-time Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Addeybb and he confirmed Lester had died peacefully in Switzerland. Lester Piggott, one of the greatest jockeys in the history of racing, has died at the age of 86. Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/hKLoO3b4fA — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 29, 2022 Mr Lester Piggott & @FrankieDettoripic.twitter.com/lbl3kRmhPU — History of Horse Racing (@roar1968) May 29, 2022 The greatest of all time. My hero. Rest in peace my friend. pic.twitter.com/3N4YwrhZFr — Frankie Dettori (@FrankieDettori) May 29, 2022 Lester Piggott, former champion jockey and nine-time Derby winner, has died aged 86. Racing has lost a legend. The thoughts of everyone at Sky Sports Racing are with Lester's friends and family pic.twitter.com/E3xaplRiQ6 — Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) May 29, 2022 "He had an aura about him. He just got on and did what he thought was right." Willie Carson remembers the great Lester Piggott pic.twitter.com/EcUXVIFZzy — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 29, 2022 It was only last Friday Shane Dye wrote in his exclusive Racenet column that he rated Piggott as the greatest jockey he had ridden against. “Lester was so good with the stick, they responded to it. I rode against Lester in different countries towards the end of his career,” Dye recalled. “There has never been a jockey as strong as Lester in the finish. He had a long stick and he would turn around in the saddle, the whole stick would go behind the horse. “Lester rode very very short, all of his weight was above the wither and forward – he sat high in the saddle. “He was also very tough in a race and wouldn’t give you an inch – as an 18 year-old, he was suspended for six months for riding too tight and causing too much interference.” Read all of Shane Dye’s thoughts on Lester Piggott. Lester Piggott, aged 12, sitting on a fence at his fathers stables at Lambourn. The age at which he rode his first winner. pic.twitter.com/jAt8vvo1kN — Sporting Life Racing (@SportingLife) May 29, 2022 Legend. RIP Lester Piggott pic.twitter.com/DHmpnzi7Ol — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 29, 2022 Lester Piggott and Sir Henry Cecil – two greats of the game sadly no longer with us. pic.twitter.com/08BrEUyoad — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 29, 2022 9 Derby wins 8 St Legers 6 Oaks 5 2000 Guineas 2 1000 Guineas 1 icon. Lester Piggott pic.twitter.com/ip1332PdOt — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 29, 2022 Lester Piggott, the legendary rider, has passed away at the age of 86. We send our deepest condolences to all his family and friends at this sad time. pic.twitter.com/DAYsOKzSDr — Great British Racing (@GBRacing) May 29, 2022 Legendary. Vale Lester Piggott. pic.twitter.com/0XfO7YWZ58 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 29, 2022 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefton Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 The greatest all right. RIP That Arbre Chene ride - exactly the way CWJ will wait an wait and wait and then drive. Even gets headed and comes back regularly 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomates Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 1 hour ago, Reefton said: The greatest all right. RIP That Arbre Chene ride - exactly the way CWJ will wait an wait and wait and then drive. Even gets headed and comes back regularly All the talk was that Arbre Chene wouldn't see the distance , 2000mtrs , but LP rode an absolute gem , the horse wouldn't have known that he had gone past a mile he had such a soft run . LP had earlier in the day had won the 2yo stakes race on Yir Tiz for Rogie . I wonder how many of todays apprentices even know who LP is and what he achieved , actually many of our senior riders probably know very little of him , watching some of his wins should be mandatory viewing at apprentice school . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 1 hour ago, Reefton said: The greatest all right. RIP correct and he sure how to smack them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 I wonder how many cigars it took him to get to 86? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy connolly Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 No one (past or present) did more for the game than Piggott. R.I.P 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bloggs Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 3 hours ago, curious said: I wonder how many cigars it took him to get to 86? I have a vague recollection of LP riding at Waverley? If anyone would know, you would......is it vague? or a recollection? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 12 hours ago, Joe Bloggs said: I have a vague recollection of LP riding at Waverley? If anyone would know, you would......is it vague? or a recollection? I don't recall him ever riding at Waverley but I could be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 Just - the best ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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