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

Tributes poured in from across the racing world and beyond on Sunday following the death of legendary rider Lester Piggott at the age of 86.

Piggott, who died peacefully in Switzerland on Sunday morning having been in hospital recently, was known worldwide for a hugely successful riding career that lasted the best part of 50 years and remained Britain's most famous jockey long after he quit the saddle.

That was in part due to the longevity that allowed him to ride a phenomenal 4,493 domestic winners, the third highest tally in British racing history behind only Sir Gordon Richards and Pat Eddery, and an amazing big-race haul. He won the Derby a record nine times, including on 1970 Triple Crown winner Nijinsky.

And it also owed something to the way a man nicknamed 'The Long Fellow' and was 5ft 8in tall fought to ride at 30lb below his natural bodyweight and his uncanny knack of bouncing back from adversity on and off course, most famously when he returned from retirement and a spell in prison to win the Breeders' Cup Mile on Royal Academy at the age of 54 in 1990.

Lester Piggott obituary: child prodigy who blossomed into a riding legend and statesman

Piggott was as well bred for the job as the choice horses he rode. His grandfather Ernie rode three Grand National winners and father Keith won the Champion Hurdle as a jockey and the National as a trainer.

He rode his first winner at the age of just 12, on The Chase at Haydock in 1948, and the triple champion apprentice won his first Derby at 18 on Never Say Die in 1954.

Piggott was champion jockey 11 times between 1960 and 1982 and won a record 30 British Classics.

After initially retiring in 1985, his training career was cut short by the conviction for tax fraud which earned him a year in prison, and he rode on for another four seasons after his shock return to the saddle.

Piggott's former weighing room colleague Willie Carson paid tribute to the legendary rider, describing him as "magical on top of a horse".

Carson said: “Lester was an iconic figure in the racing industry and changed the way things were done from his early days until he retired. Most jockeys were better off for his endeavours as we all had to up our game because of him.

Click here for a detailed infographic of Lester Piggott's remarkable achievements

“He was magical on top of a horse. He had this confidence about him and didn’t care about what people were going to think about him. He just got on and did what he thought was the right thing on a horse – and it normally was.

“He had an empathy for the animal and knew what a horse was thinking. He knew what a horse wanted, be it tough, soft, holding up or using his stride, and he always seemed to get it right.”

Lester Piggott receives a cap to commemorate his first victory in the DerbyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Carson shared an insight into what Piggott was like in the weighing room.

He said: "Lester walked about with an aura about him and he always was in charge. Everyone looked up to him and watched him. He was also a very caring man. If a jockey sustained an injury and ended up in hospital, he would be one of the few to turn up and visit them.

"We had battles galore over the years and I look back with such fond memories."

Coolmore chief John Magnier, for whom Piggott rode, labelled him “the greatest” and recalled a tale around the victory of the Michael Jarvis-trained Green God in the 1971 Haydock Sprint Cup.

Magnier said: “Obviously it is a sad day and there are so many stories and great memories for Sue and I.

“I remember meeting Lester in the parade ring before the 1971 Haydock Sprint Cup. A group of us had bought into Green God a couple of days before and Lester was up for what was to be the horse’s final race.

“'Don’t be looking for me at the furlong pole, I won’t be there until the line,' he told me, and sure enough he produced him with his trademark impeccable timing.

“At this time of year MV was regularly frustrated by Lester playing musical chairs of what he would be riding in the Derby. But he said: 'You have to put up with him, otherwise you give the opposition a 7lb advantage!'

“He really was the greatest. His family are in our thoughts today.”

Nine of Piggott's 30 British Classic winners were trained by the legendary Vincent O’Brien, whose son, trainer Charles, paid tribute to “an exceptionally good horseman”.

O’Brien said: “I think Lester and my Dad developed a sort of second sense for each other. They always managed to get their points across very succinctly.

“There was an awful lot of mutual respect between them and that's probably why their relationship lasted so long – they both knew the other was as good as it got.

“I believe he first rode for my Dad in the late 1950s and Gladness, who won the 1958 Ebor and Gold Cup, was one of their first major successes. That was a bit before my time, but Lester was a constant around the place when I was growing up.

“He was an exceptionally good horseman, which I feel perhaps gets somewhat overlooked at times.

“In terms of instructions, there was never really an awful lot said. That was partly because there wasn't much point giving them as he'd ignore them anyway! Secondly, he was well able to judge a race himself.”

Royal Academy’s Breeders’ Cup victory at Belmont is the race that sticks in the memory for O’Brien, who added: “That’s the standout day for me. I was working full-time at Ballydoyle then and went over there with my Dad not travelling at that time.

“Funnily enough, I think it was the first time I'd seen Lester nervous before a race. Normally he was absolutely ice-cold, but this was a big deal as a 54-year-old. He was definitely anxious but rode a brilliant race. It was a very special occasion.”

'Lester was an extraordinary and totally unique man and jockey'

John Gosden believes there “will never be another” like Piggott and said: “Lester was an extraordinary and totally unique man and jockey. I first knew him well in the 1970s when he was riding for Sir Noel Murless and Vincent O'Brien. They listened to and savoured everything he said, which could be quite minimalistic.

"They certainly admired his race-riding and his feel for a horse on the gallops. He was famous for changing work instructions to suit himself to find out more, but that was typical Lester who was always a rule unto himself. There'll never be another one like him."

Piggot's son Jamie, speaking from Switzerland, said on Sunday night: "He was both a wonderful father and a legend who we were all fortunate to witness."

Jockeys gathered for a minute's silence between the two Group 1 races at Longchamp on Sunday with an image of Piggott shown on the big screens.

Riders sported black armbands for the third race on the card and had the option of wearing them throughout the day.

A minute's silence also took place before racing at Fontwell and Uttoxeter on Sunday and before the second race at Punchestown.

Do you have a favourite Lester Piggott story?

We're collating our readers' best stories about the great man and will publish a selection at a later date. If you would like to contribute, please email editor@racingpost.com with the subject 'Lester'

Lester Piggott:

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'

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

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