'He was my idol growing up' - Mick Kinane on his admiration for Lester Piggott

Mick Kinane idolised Lester Piggott from his early days as an aspiring jockey and will cherish fond memories of spending Irish 2,000 Guineas day with the storied rider and the late Pat Smullen in 2019.

Kinane walked the Curragh with Piggott for a documentary on the Irish Derby and on Sunday described the jockey as "iconic", picking out rides on Sir Ivor, Nijinsky and The Minstrel as inspiring.

They rode against one another in the 1980s and early 1990s with Kinane becoming retained rider for Coolmore and Aidan O'Brien. Piggott rode four Derby winners for former Ballydoyle boss Vincent O'Brien.

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On their more recent meetings at the Curragh, Kinane said: "We walked the Curragh together for a documentary a few years back, and the last raceday I spent with him was at the same track with the late Pat Smullen [on Irish 2,000 Guineas day in 2019]. There's a nice photograph of the three of us together that afternoon, and those are lovely memories to have."

Kinane added: "Lester was iconic. It's probably fitting that he's passed in the days leading up to Epsom, where we know he was at his best. He was a master around there, a track that's likely the hardest in the world for horse and jockey.

"He was my idol as a young man growing up. I just thought he was fantastic. There was a string of phenomenal rides that showed you how good a horseman he was on Sir Ivor, Nijinsky and The Minstrel. I thought the way he produced Sir Ivor with just hands and heels was incredible – the horse never knew he had a race.

Piggott wins the 1968 Derby on Sir Ivor: 'The way he produced him with just hands and heels was incredible – the horse never knew he had a race'Credit: Express Newspapers

"I was fortunate to ride with him and spend time with him. Anything you got from him on the track was earned, I can assure you. He was a great man.

"He was a man of few words, but when he spoke he didn't need a ten-liner to get his view across. He had a dry sense of humour, but there was a lot of humour with him."

Lester Piggott:

Lester Piggott, legendary jockey and nine-time Derby winner, dies aged 86

Obituary: child prodigy who blossomed into a riding legend and statesman

The remarkable facts and figures behind Lester Piggott's career

In his own words: 'It was quite a bad punishment, wasn't it? It was almost inhumane'

Lester Piggott Q&A: a brilliant interview with the record-breaking champion

Appreciation: 'His cut-throat mentality was unmatched in the history of the turf'

Aidan O'Brien: 'Incredible man' Lester Piggott left unbelievable mark on us all

Racecourse brilliance and quieter moments: Lester Piggott in photographs

'Lester went wrong way round a roundabout to pass me! No wonder he was champion'

Nine Derbys, 30 British Classics and winners worldwide - Lester by the numbers