Remembering a legend: Lester Piggott, in the words of Racing Post readers

Lester Piggott's death on Sunday, May 29 sparked an outpouring of tributes from some of the biggest names in racing.

From Frankie Dettori to Sir Mark Prescott, the legendary jockey left an indelible mark on those he met.

Everybody seems to have a Lester story – and we wanted to hear yours, so we asked Racing Post readers to send us their favourite Piggott memories. Here are some of the best . . .

An autograph to cherish

Like most racing fans, I thought Lester Piggott was a genius, and it is very sad indeed to see he has died.

In 1985, I was at Nottingham races, which was host to Lester's final winner before he retired (the first time).

I very rarely asked for autographs, but asked him before the first race if he would kindly sign my racecard.

Lester walked straight past, I have no idea whether he heard me. I tried one last time before the last, and he took the racecard, signed it, and mumbled: "That'll be worth a bit y'know".

I put the racecard inside my jacket, worried the rain might ruin it. I walked to the car, got in, and carefully got the racecard out. There across the front was the treasured signature – 'Willie Carson.'

Rest in peace Lester, I still have it.

Mike Bell

Wicked sense of humour

Trust 'Old Stoneface' to leave us just as the Platinum Jubilee celebrations are getting into full swing.

With the Derby, his race, being at the centre of said celebrations, he had to go and demand his share of attention. For a supposedly shy man, he had a wicked sense of humour.

We all have our Lester stories which have gone into racing folklore. The small-time trainer for whom Lester did not ride to instructions – "He will never ride for me again." Lester's response? "Well, I had better give up then!"

The "try the £5 ear again" story after a stable lad tried to take advantage of his well known hearing impediment.

When asked by an American journalist, "When did you think you would win?" after steering Sir Ivor to victory in the Washington DC International, Lester sardonically replied, "Sometime last week!"

A favourite Lester story of mine involved a different legend in Red Rum. After 'Rummy' died, Julian Wilson put together an excellent tribute.

Rummy of course was flat-bred, and Wilson, speaking about Rummy as a two-year-old, told the tale of how he was prepared for a gamble at Aintree, when he was ridden by, guess who?

Lester's grinning face appeared and he spoke about what he could remember about him. Wilson asked Lester if he would have liked to have had a spin round the big fences on him. Lester gave that infectious laugh and said: "It would have been an experience!"

They say if you are really famous in the world of sport, your surname is enough for instant recognition. Lester's Christian name gave him that advantage as well. His headstone simply needs to say Lester.

David Moore

Flawed diamond

The first time I ever saw Lester ride live was in 1970 at Doncaster, when he won the Triple Crown on the great Nijinsky with ease.

Like many diamonds he was flawed, and that day was typical of him because in the race preceding the St Leger he somehow managed to fall off the hot favourite Leander at the start.

Nijinsky and Lester Piggott win the 1970 St LegerCredit: Gerry Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

It's now 52 years since a colt has won those three Classics and it proves what an exceptional horse Nijinsky was. To lose the Arc as Nijinsky did in such controversial circumstances was heartbreaking after a Lester ride that l, along with Vincent O'Brien, thought left a lot to be desired.

Lester always fascinated me because of this ability to move between triumph and disaster. None more so than in his unbelievable Breeders' Cup Mile victory on Royal Academy, aged 54, after a heartstopping final furlong when he lost his footing coming into the straight.

It was the comeback ride of a genius after his early retirement.

The last time that I saw Lester was at the Cheltenham Festival. He was signing books with his great friend and fellow turf legend Sir Peter O'Sullevan.

Both are gone now, and in Lester's case it's the end of a story that we will never see repeated or bettered.

Rest in peace Lester, the great.

John Hall
Birmingham

St Paddy 1960

I was named Lester after he won the Derby on St Paddy in 1960. He won it on the Wednesday and I was born on Saturday, June 4.

Lester Henderson

Twinkle in the eye

When I was secretary of the Jockeys' Association, Lester was the president. In setting up the jockeys' pension fund a meeting of Flat and jump jockeys was held in Newmarket to approve the arrangements.

Lester asked if the benefits could be backdated by five years as he was getting on a bit.

When I pointed out the funding was just commencing and the scheme had to start now his response, said with a twinkle in the eye, was: "All Geoffrey wants me to have is a walking stick!"

Needless to say Lester was 100 per cent in favour of the initiative and made sure it went ahead for the benefit of all jockeys, which was typical of his support and care, often behind the scenes, for the profession as a whole.

Geoffrey Summers

No fuss

He'd been my racing hero since I was a child. I eventually caught up with him at Epsom, when he rode Hokusai in the Derby. This was when the paddock was still down the road from the stands. There was an awe about him, as he paraded quietly. No fuss.

Years before, at school, Lester was my nickname. I was the acknowledged expert about the sport within the school, giving winning tips (I never had my own money to bet), including picking the first and second (in order) for the 1981 Grand National.

I felt a bit of a bond with him sometimes. He was a flawed hero, who everyone knew. He was a genius. May he rest in peace.

Malcolm Nicholas

Lester Piggott in the Gods of Sport exhibition room at the Heritage Centre to celebrate the 60th anniversary since his first classic winner on Crepello in the 1957 2,000 GuineasCredit: Edward Whitaker

Wrong direction

I only had the pleasure of meeting Lester once. I was walking my dog one day when a car slowed down and I immediately recognised the driver as Piggott, who asked me for directions.

Upon recognising him I was quite in awe and although flustered, I gave him the directions. It was only after he'd sped off that I realised, due to my starstruck state, I'd accidentally sent him in entirely the wrong direction.

I'm glad I never met him a second time.

Robin Clifford

A chance encounter

As a child I always wanted to be a jockey and my dream came true when I had my first ride in 1973 at Kempton. Lester, my hero, was in the same race.

I finished last of 14 runners, but that did not matter as my hero left me with a memory never to be forgotten.

Many years later I became a London taxi driver and one day in Victor Chandler's betting shop in Park Lane I met Lester. After speaking to him and telling him I rode against him as an apprentice in 1973, I told him I was a cabbie.

He then asked me to take him to meet his wife on a shopping trip. I was overwhelmed when he got in my taxi and I started talking about the races and the famous horses he had ridden. I asked him which was the best horse he rode and he said Sir Ivor.

I was so saddened to hear of his passing on Sunday. To me, racing will never see the likes of Lester again. A truly wonderful jockey with a great sense of humour and most of all a legend in his own lifetime.

Tony Walker

Poetry in motion

I became a fan of Lester and horseracing at the age of 11 when I watched him being beaten in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1970 on Nijinsky.

I felt sorry for him and it triggered a response to follow his career. I am now 63 and that interest in horse racing has never waned due to Lester Piggott. When I heard the news I cried. I have never met him and do not pretend to know him but my reaction to the news crystallises how I felt about his passing having been so influential in my life.

The first time I ever saw Lester in action live was at Ascot in the mid-1970s. It was my first ever visit to a racecourse. He rode a horse called Laurentian Hills in the Churchill Stakes for Robert Armstrong and won!

It was a brilliant and unforgettable moment. He just looked perfect on a racehorse. It was poetry in motion. He will never be forgotten.

Keith Chinn
Wolston

Lester Piggott:

'He'd be thrilled looking down on us now' - Tracy Piggott pays heartfelt tribute

Kieren Fallon: 'Lester was a genius - and like the mafia in the weighing room!'

'No moment in my career ever tasted sweeter' - Lester on his greatest ride

'It has been a wonderful life, really - you couldn't ask for any more'

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

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