Lester Piggott facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lester Piggott
Piggott in 1955
Occupation	Jockey trainer
Born	(1935-11-05)5 November 1935 Wantage, Berkshire, England
Died	29 May 2022(2022-05-29) (aged 86) Geneva, Switzerland
Spouse	Susan Armstrong ​ ​ (m. 1960, separated)​
Children	3, including Tracy
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight	8 st 5 lb (53 kg)
Major racing wins
British Classic Race wins as jockey (30): 2000 Guineas (5) 1000 Guineas (2) Epsom Derby (9) Epsom Oaks (6) St Leger Stakes (8)
Racing awards
British flat racing Champion Jockey 11 times (1960, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1981, 1982) British Champions Series Hall of Fame (2021)
Honours
OBE (withdrawn)
Significant horses
Never Say Die Crepello Petite Etoile St. Paddy Sir Ivor Nijinsky Roberto Empery The Minstrel Alleged Teenoso Shadeed Royal Academy Rodrigo de Triano

Lester Keith Piggott (born 5 November 1935 – died 29 May 2022) was a famous English jockey and trainer. He is known as one of the greatest flat racing jockeys of all time. He won 4,493 races in Britain. This includes a record nine victories in the important Epsom Derby race.

People often called him "The Long Fellow" because he was quite tall for a jockey. He was known for being very competitive. Later in his life, he faced legal challenges related to his finances.

Early Life and Family

Lester Piggott was born in Wantage, England. His family had a long history in horse racing, going back to the 1700s. Many of his relatives were jockeys and trainers.

His grandfather, Ernest Piggott, won the famous Grand National race three times. He was also a champion jump jockey. Lester's father, Keith Piggott, was also a successful jockey and trainer. He won the Champion Hurdle as a jockey and the Grand National as a trainer. Lester grew up around horses and racing.

A Racing Legend's Career

A statue of Piggott at Haydock Park Racecourse, celebrating his 70th birthday.

Lester Piggott started racing horses when he was just ten years old. He won his first race in 1948 at the age of twelve. The horse was named The Chase, and the race was at Haydock Park Racecourse.

Piggott was known for being quiet. He became a sensation in the racing world very quickly. He won his first Derby race in 1954 on a horse called Never Say Die. He was only eighteen years old then. He went on to win the Derby eight more times! Some of his famous Derby winners include Crepello, Nijinsky, and The Minstrel.

He worked as the main jockey for top trainers like Noel Murless and Vincent O'Brien. His career was full of amazing successes. Many people loved watching him race, and he helped make horse racing more popular.

Piggott was taller than most flat jockeys, standing at about 1.73 meters (5 feet 8 inches). This is why he was called "The Long Fellow." He worked hard to keep his weight low for racing. He also developed a new riding style that many other jockeys later copied. He became the British flat racing Champion Jockey eleven times.

Piggott riding Apalachee in the 1970s.

In the 1980s, Piggott continued to win big races. He became the main jockey for Henry Cecil, another champion trainer. He was champion jockey again in 1981 and 1982.

Piggott won 4,493 races in Britain and about 5,300 races worldwide. His 30 wins in British Classic races came from 25 different horses. He considered the horse Sir Ivor the easiest to ride among his many great winners.

Later Life and Comeback

Lester Piggott stopped being a jockey at the end of 1985. He then started a new career as a horse trainer. His stables in Newmarket had many horses, and he trained 34 winners.

However, his new training career ended when he faced legal issues regarding his taxes. He spent just over a year in prison. He also had an award he received in 1975, the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), taken away.

In an amazing comeback, Piggott returned to racing as a jockey in 1990. He was 55 years old! Just ten days after his return, he won a big race called the Breeders' Cup Mile on a horse named Royal Academy. He even won another Classic race, the 2000 Guineas, in 1992 with Rodrigo de Triano.

His last win in Britain was in 1994. He officially retired from racing in 1995. After his racing career, Piggott moved to Switzerland. In 2004, he wrote a book called Lester's Derbys.

He had some health issues later in life but often attended major horse racing events. He even correctly predicted the winner of the 2008 Epsom Derby in a TV interview.

Personal Life

Lester Piggott was married to Susan Armstrong. Her father and brother were also racehorse trainers. They had two daughters, Maureen and Tracy. Tracy is now a sports presenter on Irish television. Lester also had a son, Jamie, who became a jockey too.

Piggott was partially deaf and had a slight speech problem. Even though he was known for being quiet, he had a dry sense of humor. People often shared funny stories about his witty remarks.

Death

Lester Piggott passed away in a hospital in Geneva, Switzerland, on 29 May 2022. He was 86 years old.

Awards and Recognition

The annual jockey awards, called The Lesters, are named in his honor. They started in 1990. In 1999, the Racing Post newspaper ranked Piggott as the second-best jockey of the 20th century. Only Gordon Richards was ranked higher. In 2021, Lester Piggott was one of the first two people to be included in the British Champions Series Hall of Fame.

Major Wins Around the World

Lester Piggott won many important races in different countries. Here are some of his major victories:

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 – (3) – Rheingold (1973), Alleged (1977 & 1978)
• Prix de Diane – (3) – Mrs Penny (1980), Madam Gay (1981), Lypharita (1985)
• Prix de la Forêt – (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 – (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 – (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 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 – (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 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 – (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 (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)
• 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)

See also

• List of jockeys