Lester Keith Piggott (5 November 1935 – 29 May 2022) was an English professional
jockey
A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used ...
and
horse trainer
A horse trainer is a person who tends to horses and teaches them different disciplines. Some responsibilities trainers have are caring for the animals' physical needs, as well as teaching them good behaviors and/or coaching them for events, which ...
. With 4,493 career
flat racing
Horse racing is an equestrianism, equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all spor ...
wins in Britain, including a record nine
Epsom Derby victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest flat racing jockeys of all time and the originator of a much-imitated style. Popularly called "The Long Fellow", he was known for his competitive personality, restricting his weight and, on occasion, not sparing the whip, such as in the
1972 Derby. Piggott was convicted of
tax fraud
Tax evasion or tax fraud is an illegal attempt to defeat the imposition of taxes by individuals, corporations, trust (property), trusts, and others. Tax evasion often entails the deliberate misrepresentation of the taxpayer's affairs to the tax au ...
in 1987 and sentenced to three years in prison, but served just over a year.
Early life
Piggott was born in
Wantage
Wantage () is a historic market town and Civil parishes in England, civil parish in the Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire, England. Although within the boundaries of the Historic counties of England, historic county of Berkshire, it has been a ...
, Berkshire, to a family that could trace its roots as jockeys and trainers back to the 18th century.
[p45, David Boyd, A Bibliographical Dictionary of Racehorse Trainers in Berkshire 1850–1939 (1998)] The Piggotts were a Cheshire farming family who from the 1870s ran the
Crown Inn in
Nantwich for over 30 years. Piggott's grandfather,
Ernest Piggott (1878–1967), rode three
Grand National
The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England. First run in 1839, it ...
winners, in 1912, 1918 and 1919,
and was married to a sister of the jockeys
Mornington Cannon and
Kempton Cannon, who both rode winners of the Derby, in 1899 and 1904, respectively. He was also three-times
British jump racing Champion Jockey (in 1910, 1913 and 1915), and owned a racehorse stable at the Old Manor in
Letcombe Regis (now in
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire ( ; abbreviated ''Oxon'') is a ceremonial county in South East England. The county is bordered by Northamptonshire and Warwickshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the east, Berkshire to the south, and Wiltshire and Glouceste ...
).
Lester Piggott's father, (Ernest) Keith Piggott (1904–1993), was a successful
National Hunt jockey and trainer, winning the
Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt racing, National Hunt Hurdling (horse race), hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to Horse racing, horses aged four years ...
as a jockey in 1939
and the Grand National as a trainer in 1963 with
Ayala, becoming the
British jump racing Champion Trainer of the 1962–63 season.
He owned a training stable at South Bank in
Lambourn, where Lester Piggott lived until 1954.
Lester Piggott was a cousin, through his mother Lilian Iris Rickaby, jockeys Bill and Fred Rickaby. Fred was
British flat racing Champion Apprentice in 1931 and 1932.
Career
Piggott began
racing horses from his father's stable when he was ten years old and won his first race in 1948, aged twelve, on a horse called The Chase, at
Haydock Park. Piggott was known for his quiet demeanour. He described his mother as wisely playing down his success, while his father rarely gave advice unless there had been a particular mistake. By his teens a sensation in the racing world, he rode his first winner of
The Derby on
Never Say Die in 1954, aged eighteen, and went on to win eight more, on
Crepello (1957),
St. Paddy (1960),
Sir Ivor (1968),
Nijinsky (1970),
Roberto (1972),
Empery (1976),
The Minstrel (1977) and
Teenoso (1983).
He was stable jockey to
Noel Murless
Sir Charles Francis Noel Murless (24 March 19109 May 1987) was an English racehorse trainer who one of the most successful of the twentieth century. Murless began his career as a trainer in 1935 at Hambleton Lodge in Yorkshire before moving to H ...
and later to
Vincent O'Brien
Michael Vincent O'Brien (9 April 1917 – 1 June 2009) was an Irish race horse trainer from Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland. In 2003 he was voted the greatest influence in horse racing history in a worldwide poll hosted by the ''Racing Pos ...
and had a glittering career of unparalleled 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
flat jockey (), hence his nickname of "The Long Fellow", Piggott struggled to keep his weight down and for most of his career rode at .
[ 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 eleven times. He also rode over hurdles early in his career.]
In 1980, his relationship with the Sangster–O'Brien combination came to an end and he was appointed stable jockey to Noel Murless's son-in-law Henry Cecil, the British flat racing Champion Trainer, at Murless's old stables, Warren Place. He was again champion jockey in 1981 and 1982.
In late 1983, a dispute arose as to whether Piggott had reneged on an agreement to ride Daniel Wildenstein's All Along in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe () is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris over a distance ...
for Patrick Louis Biancone when Piggott stated he had agreed to ride the previous year's Arc third Awaasif and could only ride All Along if that horse did not run. All Along was ridden instead by Walter Swinburn, with Wildenstein refusing to allow Piggott 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. 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.
In 1985, Piggott rode freelance, with big wins including the Prix de Diane for André Fabre aboard Lypharita, the 2000 Guineas Stakes for Michael Stoute on Shadeed and the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup and Irish Champion Stakes for Luca Cumani on Commanche Run.
With 4,493 career wins on the Flat in Britain and approximately 5,300 worldwide, including a record nine Epsom Derby victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest flat racing
Horse racing is an equestrianism, equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all spor ...
jockeys of all time. Piggott's 30 Classic wins in Britain came from 25 individual horses.
Of his great winners, Piggott regarded Sir Ivor as the easiest to ride.
Later life
Piggott retired as a jockey at the end of the 1985 flat season and became a trainer. His Eve Lodge stables in Newmarket in Suffolk
Suffolk ( ) is a ceremonial county in the East of England and East Anglia. It is bordered by Norfolk to the north, the North Sea to the east, Essex to the south, and Cambridgeshire to the west. Ipswich is the largest settlement and the county ...
, housed 97 horses and sent out 34 winners. His burgeoning new career as a trainer was ended when he was convicted of tax fraud
Tax evasion or tax fraud is an illegal attempt to defeat the imposition of taxes by individuals, corporations, trust (property), trusts, and others. Tax evasion often entails the deliberate misrepresentation of the taxpayer's affairs to the tax au ...
and jailed. He was stripped of his appointment as Officer of the Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...
(OBE), which had been awarded in 1975. He served 366 days in prison. According to Piggott, a commonly held belief that he was prosecuted after using an undeclared bank account, to make a final settlement of his tax liabilities, is a myth.
Piggott resumed his career as a jockey in 1990, at the age of 55, and won the Breeders' Cup Mile on Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House in Piccadilly London, England. Founded in 1768, it has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its ...
within ten days of his return. He rode another Classic winner, Rodrigo de Triano, in the 1992 2000 Guineas
The 2000 Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile (1.6 km) and scheduled to take place each yea ...
. His last win in Britain was in October 1994 and he officially retired in 1995; his last British ride was in the November Handicap on 5 November 1994, but he rode abroad through the winter of 1994–95, winning the Black Opal Stakes on Zadok in Canberra
Canberra ( ; ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the Federation of Australia, federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's list of cities in Australia, largest in ...
on 5 March 1995 before deciding not to return for the 1995 British Flat turf season.
Piggott lived near Newmarket for the entire duration of his career. He later emigrated to Bursinel, Switzerland, where he continued to reside with his partner and family friend Lady Barbara FitzGerald, then the 55-year-old wife of Lord John FitzGerald, though legally he was still married to his wife Susan. In 2004, he published the book ''Lester's Derbys''.
On 15 May 2007, Piggott was admitted to intensive care in a hospital in Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
, following a recurrence of a previous heart problem. His wife stated that this illness was not life-threatening and that he was recovering in intensive care as a precaution. He attended Royal Ascot in June 2007 and the Epsom Derby in June 2008 where he tipped the winner, New Approach, during a BBC television
BBC Television is a service of the BBC. The corporation has operated a Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast television service in the United Kingdom, under the terms of a royal charter, since 1 January 1927. It p ...
interview. He was also present for the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup where he presented a trophy to jockey Tony McCoy.
In 2014 the Eve Lodge Stables training yard and complex, which included four semi-detached, two-bedroom bungalows and which could house up to 100 horses, was put on the market for £1.25 million.
Personal life
Piggott was married to Susan Armstrong. They married at St. Mark's church, North Audley Street, London, in 1960. Her father, Sam Armstrong, and her brother, Robert Armstrong, were both racehorse trainers. They had two daughters, Maureen, an ex- eventer (married to Derby-winning trainer William Haggas) and Tracy (a sports presenter on Irish television station RTÉ
(; ; RTÉThe É in RTÉ is pronounced as an English E () and not an Irish É ()) is an Irish public service broadcaster. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on television, radio and online. The radio service began on 1 January 1926, ...
). He also had a son, Jamie, also a jockey, from a relationship with Anna Ludlow.
Piggott was partially deaf and had a minor speech impediment. He was also known for his dry wit, despite a reputation for being taciturn. For example, when asked by a reporter, after Karabas had won the 1969 Washington International, when he thought he would win, Piggott replied "about two weeks ago". Allegedly when asked by a stable employee for a £1 gratuity, Piggott motioned to the employee to speak into his "good ear", at which point the employee increased the request to £2. Piggott responded with "try the other ear again". On being asked by a young girl serving him with ice cream if he was soul singer Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett (March 18, 1941 – January 19, 2006) was an American singer and songwriter.
A major figure in the development of soul music, Pickett recorded more than 50 songs that made the US R&B charts, many of which crossed over to the '' ...
, he said "yes".
Death
Piggott died in hospital in Geneva, Switzerland, on 29 May 2022, at the age of 86.
Recognition
The annual jockey awards The Lesters, inaugurated in 1990, are named in his honour. In 1999, the ''Racing Post
''Racing Post'' is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing, and sports betting publisher published in print and digital formats. It is printed in tabloid format from Monday to Sunday. , it has an average daily circulation of 60,629 ...
'' ranked Piggott as second in their list of the Top 50 jockeys of the 20th century, behind Gordon Richards. In 2021, Piggott was, along with Frankel, one of the first two entries in the British Champions Series Hall of Fame.
Major wins
Below is a list of major victories by Piggott, as determined by the RacingBase website, categorised by the country of the race.
Canada
* Canadian International Stakes – (1) – ''Dahlia (1974)''
France
* Grand Critérium (Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère) – (3) – ''Sir Ivor (1967), Breton (1969), My Swallow (1970)''
* Grand Prix de Paris – (2) – ''Roll of Honour (1970), Sagaro (1974)''
* Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud – (1) – ''Teenoso (1984)''
* Poule d'Essai des Pouliches – (2) – ''Rajput Princess (1964), River Lady (1982)''
* Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp – (4) – ''Tower Walk (1969), Balidar (1970), Moorestyle (1980), Mr Brooks (1992)''
* Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe () is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris over a distance ...
– (3) – ''Rheingold (1973), Alleged (1977 & 1978)''
* Prix de Diane – (3) – '' Mrs Penny (1980), Madam Gay (1981), Lypharita (1985)''
* Prix de la Forêt
The Prix de la Forêt is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,400 metres (about 7 furlongs), and ...
– (2) – ''Moorestyle (1980 & 1981)''
* Prix Ganay – (1) – ''Trillion (1978)''
* Prix Jacques Le Marois – (1) – ''Nonoalco (1974)''
* Prix Jean Prat – (3) – ''Speedy Dakota (1975), Dom Racine (1978), Night Alert (1980)''
* Prix du Jockey Club – (1) – ''Hard to Beat (1972)''
* Prix Lupin – (2) – ''Hard to Beat (1972), Persépolis (1982)''
* Prix Marcel Boussac – (3) – ''Vela (1969), Play It Safe (1981), Midway Lady (1985)''
* Prix Maurice de Gheest
The Prix Maurice de Gheest is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 1,300 metres (about 6½ furlongs), and it is s ...
– (4) – ''Mountain Call (1968), Abergwaun (1972), Moorestyle (1981), College Chapel (1993)''
* Prix Morny – (2) – ''My Swallow (1970), Nonoalco (1973)''
* Prix du Moulin de Longchamp – (3) – ''Habitat (1969), Gold Rod (1970), Sparkler (1973)''
* Prix Rothschild – (1) – ''Topsy (1979)''
* Prix Royal-Oak – (1) – ''Ardross (1981)''
* Prix Saint-Alary – (1) – ''Nobiliary (1975)''
* Prix de la Salamandre – (2) – ''My Swallow (1970), Nonoalco (1973)''
* Prix Vermeille – (1) – ''Aunt Edith (1965)''
Germany
* Deutsches Derby – (3) – ''Orsini (1957), Fanfar (1963), Luciano (1967)''
* Preis der Diana – (1) – ''On Dit (1967)''
* Preis von Europa – (1) – ''Esprit du Nord (1983)''
Ireland
* Irish 1,000 Guineas – (2) – ''Favoletta (1971), Godetia (1979)''
* Irish 2,000 Guineas – (3) – ''Decies (1970), Jaazeiro (1978), Rodrigo de Triano (1992)''
* Irish Champion Stakes – (3) – ''Malacate (1976), Inkerman (1978), Commanche Run (1985)''
* Irish Derby – (5) – ''Meadow Court (1965), Ribocco (1967), Ribero (1968), The Minstrel (1977), Shergar (1981)''
* Irish Oaks – (3) – ''Santa Tina (1970), Juliette Marny (1975), Godetia (1979)''
* Irish St. Leger – (3) – ''Dan Kano (1967), Caucasus (1975), Meneval (1976)''
* Matron Stakes – (1) – ''Kalamaika (1978)''
* Moyglare Stud Stakes – (1) – ''Lemon Souffle (1993)''
* National Stakes – (4) – ''Cellini (1973), Sir Wimborne (1975), El Prado (1991), Fatherland (1992)''
* Phoenix Stakes – (1) – ''Getaway (1958)''
* Pretty Polly Stakes – (3) – ''Mariel (1971), Godetia (1979), Calandra (1980)''
* Tattersalls Gold Cup – (2) – ''Cavo Doro (1973), Elegant Air (1985)''
Italy
* Derby Italiano – (3) – ''Bonconte di Montefeltro (1969), Cerreto (1973), Welnor (1984)''
* Gran Criterium – (1) – ''Alhijaz (1991)''
* Gran Premio del Jockey Club – (4) – ''Nagami (1958), Marco Visconti (1966), Awaasif (1983), Silvernesian (1992)''
* Premio Presidente della Repubblica – (1) – ''Moulton (1973)''
* Premio Roma – (3) – ''Irvine (1972), Noble Saint (1979), Old Country (1985)''
Singapore
* Singapore Derby – (1) – ''Saas Fee (1979)''
* Queen Elizabeth II Cup – (2) – ''Jumbo Jet (1972)''
Slovakia
* Derby – (1) – ''Zimzalabim (1993)''
United Kingdom
* 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
The Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles 3 furlongs and 210 yards (4 ...
– (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
Durtal () is a Communes of France, commune in the Maine-et-Loire Departments of France, department in western France. It is around 32 km north-east of Angers the department capital.
Population
See also
*Communes of the Maine-et-Loire de ...
(1976), Marwell (1980)''
* Cork and 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
Derby ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area on the River Derwent, Derbyshire, River Derwent in Derbyshire, England. Derbyshire is named after Derby, which was its original co ...
– (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
The Dewhurst Stakes is a Group races, Group 1 Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old Colt (horse), colts and Filly, fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mi ...
– (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
The Eclipse Stakes is a Group races, Group 1 Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown ...
– (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
''Dahlia'' ( , ) is a genus of bushy, tuberous, herbaceous perennial plants native to Mexico and Central America. Dahlias are members of the Asteraceae (synonym name: Compositae) family of dicotyledonous plants, its relatives include the sun ...
(1974 & 1975), Hawaiian Sound (1978), Commanche Run (1985), Rodrigo de Triano (1992)''
* July Cup
The July Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 me ...
– (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 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – (7) – ''Meadow Court (1965), Aunt Edith (1966), Park Top (1969), Nijinsky (1970), Dahlia (1974), The Minstrel (1977), Teenoso (1984)''
* King's Stand Stakes
The King Charles III Stakes (formerly the King's Stand Stakes) is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 5 fu ...
– (7) – ''Right Boy (1957), Majority Rule (1963), Swing Easy (1971), Abergwaun (1973), Godswalk (1977), Solinus (1978), Never So Bold (1985)''
* 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) – ''Carrozza
Carrozza (foaled 1954) is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. In a racing career lasting from May 1956 until July 1957, the filly ran seven times and won three races for her owner Queen Elizabeth II. As a three-year-old she finished fourth in the ...
(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
Noble Decree (foaled 6 March 1970) was an American-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a two-year-old colt he won two of his first five races before ending his season with a win in the Observer Gold Cup. He was rated the b ...
(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)''
* Triumph Hurdle – (1) – '' Prince Charlemagne (1954) ''
* 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)''
United States
* Breeders' Cup Mile – (1) – ''Royal Academy (1990)''
* Washington, D.C. International – (3) – ''Sir Ivor (1968), Karabas (1969), Argument (1980)''
In popular culture
The British music band James recorded a song named "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)" on their 1993 album '' Laid''. The outro on the original 12" of '' Sit Down'' (1989) also featured a falsetto voice singing the jockey's name. The 1990 Van Morrison
Sir George Ivan "Van" Morrison (born 31 August 1945) is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician whose recording career started in the 1960s. Morrison's albums have performed well in the UK and Ireland, with more than 40 reaching the UK ...
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 en to one/ And we let the goldfish go".
Piggott was frequently caricatured on ITV's '' Spitting Image'', in which he was portrayed as having mumbling diction, voiced by Enn Reitel.
In 1991, during a period in which Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...
faced public pressure to pay taxes, the satirical magazine '' Private Eye'' showed a cover picture of her talking on a telephone, asking for Lester Piggott.
Bibliography
*
*
See also
* List of jockeys
References
Further reading
*
*
External links
Horse Racing Legends. Lester Piggott
The record nine Derby winners
– sportinglife.com
*
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Piggott, Lester
1935 births
2022 deaths
English jockeys
English people convicted of tax crimes
People from Wantage
People stripped of a British Commonwealth honour
British Champion flat jockeys
British Champion apprentice jockeys
British sportspeople convicted of crimes
English expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland
Deaf jockeys
British racehorse trainers