Lester Piggott

Information about Lester Piggott

Lester Keith Piggott (born 5 November 1935) is a retired English jockey, considered to be the best of his generation and one of the greatest flat jockeys of all time, with 4,493 career wins, including nine Derby victories.

Career as a jockey

Piggott won his first race in 1948, aged 12 years, on a horse called The Chase at Haydock Park. A teenage sensation, he rode his first winner of the Epsom Derby on Never Say Die in 1954 aged 18 years and went on to win eight more, on Crepello (1957), St. Paddy (1960), Sir Ivor (1968), Nijinsky II (1970), Roberto (1972), Empery (1976), The Minstrel (1977) and Teenoso (1983). He was stable jockey to Noel Murless and later to Vincent O'Brien and had a glittering career of unparallelled success. Known as the "housewives' favourite", Piggott had legions of followers and did much to expand the popularity of horse racing beyond its narrow, class-based origins.

Famously tall for a jockey (5'8"/1.73 m), Lester Piggott struggled to keep his weight down and for most of his career rode at little more than 8 stone (51 kg/112 lb). He pioneered a new style of race-riding that was subsequently widely adopted by colleagues at home and abroad and enabled him to become Champion Jockey 11 times. There can be little doubt that had he not chosen after the 1971 season to ride more selectively that he would have won more championships.

In 1980 his relationship with the Sangster - O'Brien combination came to an end and in a jockeys' merry go round he was appointed as stable jockey to Noel Murless's son-in law Henry Cecil, the champion trainer, at Murless's old stables, Warren Place. He was again champion jockey in 1981 and 1982. However, as the result of a dispute in late 1983 as to whether he had reneged on an agreement to ride Daniel Wildenstein's All Along in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Wildenstein refused to allow him to ride any more of his horses. It was costly for Piggott, as All Along won the Arc and a string of other international races in an autumn campaign that ended with her being named U.S. Horse of the Year. Further, as Wildenstein was one of Cecil's principal owners, this placed a strain on the relationship, and in 1984 Cecil and Piggott split, with Steve Cauthen taking over at Warren Place.

Like many other jockeys and trainers Lester lives near the Home of Racing at Newmarket in Suffolk.

Later career and tax problems

After he retired from riding horses at the end of the 1985 flat season, Piggott became a racehorse trainer. At its peak, his Eve Lodge stables had housed 97 residents and sent out 34 winners. In 1987 he was jailed for 3 years, of which he served 366 days, for tax irregularities. The following year he was stripped of his OBE (which he had been awarded in 1975) because of tax evasion. He resumed his career as a jockey in 1990 following his release from jail, winning the Breeders' Cup Mile on Royal Academy within ten days of his return, and riding another classic winner, Rodrigo de Triano, in 1992. He rode his last winner in October 1994 and officially retired, this time for good, in 1995.

Illness

On Tuesday 15 May 2007 he was admitted to intensive care in a Swiss hospital following a recurrence of a previous heart problem. His wife has stated that this illness is not life-threatening and that he is recovering in intensive care as a precaution.[1]. He attended Royal Ascot in June 2007.[1]

Recognition

The annual jockey awards The Lesters, inaugurated in 1990, are named in his honour.

Major winners

Great Britain
  • 1,000 Guineas - (2) - Humble Duty (1970), Fairy Footsteps (1981)
  • 2,000 Guineas - (5) - Crepello (1957), Sir Ivor (1968), Nijinsky (1970), Shadeed (1985), Rodrigo de Triano (1992)
  • Ascot Gold Cup - (11) - Zarathustra (1957), Gladness (1958), Pandofell (1961), Twilight Alley (1963), Fighting Charlie (1965), Sagaro (1975, 1976 & 1977), Le Moss (1979), Ardross (1981 & 1982)
  • Champion Stakes - (5) - Petite Etoile (1959), Pieces of Eight (1966), Sir Ivor (1968), Giacometti (1974), Rodrigo de Triano (1992)
  • Cheveley Park Stakes - (4) - Fleet (1966), Lalibela (1967), Durtal (1976), Marwell (1980)
  • Cork & Orrery Stakes (Golden Jubilee Stakes) - (9) - Right Boy (1958 & 1959), Tin Whistle (1960), El Gallo (1963), Mountain Call (1968), Welsh Saint (1970), Saritamer (1974), Thatching (1979), College Chapel (1993)
  • Coronation Cup - (9) - Zucchero (1953), Nagami (1959), Petite Etoile (1960 & 1961), Park Top (1969), Roberto (1973), Quiet Fling (1976), Sea Chimes (1980), Be My Native (1983)
  • Coronation Stakes - (5) - Aiming High (1961), Calve (1972), Lisadell (1974), Roussalka (1975), Chalon (1982)
  • Derby - (9) - Never Say Die (1954), Crepello (1957), St Paddy (1960), Sir Ivor (1968), Nijinsky (1970), Roberto (1972), Empery (1976), The Minstrel (1977), Teenoso (1983)
  • Dewhurst Stakes - (10) - Crepello (1956), Follow Suit (1962), Ribofilio (1968), Nijinsky (1969), Crowned Prince (1971), Cellini (1973), The Minstrel (1976), Try My Best (1977), Monteverdi (1979), Diesis (1982)
  • Eclipse Stakes - (7) - Mystery IX (1951), Darius (1955), Arctic Explorer (1957), St Paddy (1961), Pieces of Eight (1966), Wolver Hollow (1969), Artaius (1977)
  • Falmouth Stakes - (7) - Sylphide (1957), Green Opal (1960), Chrona (1966), Vital Match (1969), Chalon (1982), Niche (1993), Lemon Souffle (1994)
  • Fillies' Mile - (4) - Escorial (1973), Miss Pinkie (1976), Cherry Hinton (1977), Oh So Sharp (1984)
  • Haydock Sprint Cup - (3) - Green God (1971), Abergwaun (1972), Moorestyle (1980)
  • International Stakes - (5) - Dahlia (1974 & 1975), Hawaiian Sound (1978), Commanche Run (1985), Rodrigo de Triano (1992)
  • July Cup - (10) - Vigo (1957), Right Boy (1958 & 1959), Tin Whistle (1960), Thatch (1973), Saritamer (1974), Solinus (1978), Thatching (1979), Moorestyle (1980), Mr Brooks (1992)
  • King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes - (7) - Meadow Court (1965), Aunt Edith (1966), Park Top (1969), Nijinsky (1970), Dahlia (1974), The Minstrel (1977), Teenoso (1984)
  • Lockinge Stakes - (6) - Sovereign Path (1960), The Creditor (1964), Sparkler (1973), Belmont Bay (1981), Polar Falcon (1991), Swing Low (1993)
  • Middle Park Stakes - (6) - Petingo (1967), Steel Heart (1974), Junius (1978), Mattaboy (1980), Cajun (1981), Diesis (1982)
  • Nassau Stakes - (5) - Aunt Edith (1965), Haymaking (1966), Cheveley Princess (1973), Roussalka (1975 & 1976)
  • Nunthorpe Stakes - (7) - Right Boy (1958 & 1959), Matatina (1963), Caterina (1966), Tower Walk (1969), Swing Easy (1971), Solinus (1978)
  • Oaks - (6) - Carozza (1957), Petite Etoile (1959), Valoris (1966), Juliette Marny (1975), Blue Wind (1981), Circus Plume (1984)
  • Prince of Wales's Stakes - (3) - Gift Card (1973), Anne's Pretender (1976), Crimson Beau (1979)
  • Queen Anne Stakes - (5) - Sparkler (1972), Baptism (1979), Belmont Bay (1981), Mr Fluorocarbon (1982), Trojan Fen (1984)
  • Queen Elizabeth II Stakes - (4) - The Creditor (1963), Linacre (1964), Hill Rise (1966), To-Agori-Mou (1981)
  • Racing Post Trophy - (5) - Ribocco (1966), Noble Decree (1972), Apalachee (1973), Dunbeath (1982), Lanfranco (1984)
  • St. James's Palace Stakes - (5) - Roan Rocket (1964), Petingo (1968), Thatch (1973), Jaazeiro (1978), Bairn (1985)
  • St Leger - (8) - St Paddy (1960), Aurelius (1961), Ribocco (1967), Ribero (1968), Nijinsky (1970), Athens Wood (1971), Boucher (1972), Commanche Run (1984)
  • Sun Chariot Stakes - (6) - Popkins (1970), Cheveley Princess (1973), Swiss Maid (1978), Topsy (1979), Snow (1980), Home on the Range (1981)
  • Sussex Stakes - (6) - Petite Etoile (1959), Roan Rocket (1964), Petingo (1968), Thatch (1973), Artaius (1977), Jaazeiro (1978)
  • Yorkshire Oaks - (4) - Petite Etoile (1959), Parthian Glance (1966), Shoot A Line (1980), Awaasif (1982)
 Canada
 France
Germany
Ireland
Slovakia
  • Slovak Derby - (1) - Zimzalabim (1993)
 United States

In Popular Culture

The British music band James recorded a song named "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)" on their album Laid. It has a beat which is like a horse galloping. The Hope and Anchor pub in Margate, Kent has been restyled with a horse racing theme and renamed Lester's after the famous jockey.

The Van Morrison song "In the Days Before Rock 'n Roll" also mentions Piggott by name: "When we let, then we bet / On Lester Piggott when we met."

Notes

1. ^ [2]

References

See also

November 5 is the feast day of the following Roman Catholic Saints:
  • St. Domninus
  • St. Galation
  • St. Magnus
  • St.
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    • 19th century - 20th century - 21st century
    1900s  1910s  1920s  - 1930s -  1940s  1950s  1960s
    1932 1933 1934 - 1935 - 1936 1937 1938

    Year 1935 (MCMXXXV
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Motto
    Dieu et mon droit   (French)
    "God and my right"
    Anthem
    No official anthem specific to England — the anthem of the United Kingdom is "God Save the Queen".
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    jockey is one who rides horses in thoroughbred horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession.

    Horse racing



    Jockeys are normally self employed, nominated by horse trainers to ride their horses in races, for a fee (which is paid regardless of the
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Flat racing is a term commonly used to denote a form of horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing over hurdles.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    19th century - 20th century - 21st century
    1910s  1920s  1930s  - 1940s -  1950s  1960s  1970s
    1945 1946 1947 - 1948 - 1949 1950 1951

    Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Location Haydock, England
    Owned by Jockey Club Racecourses
    Screened on Racing UK
    Course type Flat
    National Hunt
    List of UK racecourses
    ← Previous Next ?
    Hamilton Park Hereford

    Haydock Park Racecourse
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Location Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom, Surrey, England
    Inaugurated: May 4 1780
    Race type Thoroughbred - Flat racing
    Website: 2007 Derby Festival
    Race information
    Distance 1 mile 4 furlongs 10 yards
    Track Turf, left-handed

    ..... Click the link for more information.
    19th century - 20th century - 21st century
    1920s  1930s  1940s  - 1950s -  1960s  1970s  1980s
    1951 1952 1953 - 1954 - 1955 1956 1957

    Year 1954 (MCMLIV
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Crepello (1954-74) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who won England's most prestigious race, the Epsom Derby. A grandson of Blenheim II, the chestnut colt, trained by Noel Murless at Newmarket, made only five career starts but was unbeaten in his last three, all of which were
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    19th century - 20th century - 21st century
    1920s  1930s  1940s  - 1950s -  1960s  1970s  1980s
    1954 1955 1956 - 1957 - 1958 1959 1960

    Year 1957 (MCMLVII
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    St. Paddy (1957-1984) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. Owned and bred by Sir Victor Sassoon, he was out of the mare Edie Kelly and sired by Aureole, a winner of the Coronation Cup and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    19th century - 20th century - 21st century
    1930s  1940s  1950s  - 1960s -  1970s  1980s  1990s
    1957 1958 1959 - 1960 - 1961 1962 1963

    Year 1960 (MCMLX
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Sir Ivor (1965-1995) was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who competed from a base in Ireland. Owned by American businessman and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Raymond R. Guest, the horse was named for his British grandfather, Sir Ivor Guest, 1st Baron Wimborne.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    19th century - 20th century - 21st century
    1930s  1940s  1950s  - 1960s -  1970s  1980s  1990s
    1965 1966 1967 - 1968 - 1969 1970 1971

    Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    The racehorse Nijinsky (1967-1992) (named after the dancer Vaslav Nijinsky) was a son of Northern Dancer and Flaming Page, both winners of the Queen's Plate, and a great grandson of Nearco and Bull Lea. For registration clarification, he was recorded as Nijinsky II.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    19th century - 20th century - 21st century
    1940s  1950s  1960s  - 1970s -  1980s  1990s  2000s
    1967 1968 1969 - 1970 - 1971 1972 1973

    Year 1970 (MCMLXX
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Roberto (1969-1988) was an American-bred Thoroughbred Champion racehorse who competed in Ireland and England. He was named for Major League Baseball star Roberto Clemente by his owner John Galbreath who also owned the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    19th century - 20th century - 21st century
    1940s  1950s  1960s  - 1970s -  1980s  1990s  2000s
    1969 1970 1971 - 1972 - 1973 1974 1975

    Year 1972 (MCMLXXII
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    19th century - 20th century - 21st century
    1940s  1950s  1960s  - 1970s -  1980s  1990s  2000s
    1973 1974 1975 - 1976 - 1977 1978 1979

    Year 1976 (MCMLXXVI
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    The Minstrel (1974-1990) was a champion thoroughbred racehorse.

    Born at E.P. Taylor's Windfields Farm in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, The Minstrel was the son of legendary sire Northern Dancer out of the mare Fleur, who was a daughter of Victoria Park.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    19th century - 20th century - 21st century
    1940s  1950s  1960s  - 1970s -  1980s  1990s  2000s
    1974 1975 1976 - 1977 - 1978 1979 1980

    Also: 1977 (album) by Ash.

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    Teenoso (1980-1999) was a Thoroughbred racehorse bred in Kentucky.

    Racing in the United Kingdom, he won the 1983 Epsom Derby by three lengths, ridden by Lester Piggott, his ninth and last Derby winner.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    19th century - 20th century - 21st century
    1950s  1960s  1970s  - 1980s -  1990s  2000s  2010s
    1980 1981 1982 - 1983 - 1984 1985 1986

    Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Sir Charles Francis Noel Murless (known as Noel) (March 24, 1910-1987) began his career as a racehorse trainer in 1935 at Hambleton Lodge in Yorkshire (where Kevin Ryan now trains) before moving to Hambleton House (where Bryan Smart is now based) after the war, at one time sharing
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Dr. Michael Vincent O'Brien (born April 9 1917 in Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland) is a retired Irish race horse trainer. He is of no relation to his namesake, Aidan O'Brien, another Irish race horse trainer.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Horse racing is an equestrian sport which has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times are an early example, as is the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. It is often inextricably associated with gambling.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    The Champion Jockey of flat racing in Great Britain is the jockey who has ridden the most winning horses during a season. The list below shows the Champion Jockey and the number of winners for each year since 1840.

    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Daniel Leopold Wildenstein (September 11, 1917 - October 23, 2001) was a major international art dealer, collector, and scholar, as well as a leading thoroughbred race horse owner and breeder.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    All Along (foaled April 17, 1979; died February 23, 2005) was a champion thoroughbred racehorse. She was one of the top fillies of the last part of the 20th century, racing mostly in Europe.
    ..... Click the link for more information.

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