Lester Piggott: Legendary rider dies aged 86

News | 29^th May 2022

Lester Piggott, former 11-time Champion jockey and winner of 30 Classic races has sadly passed away aged 86.

Lester Piggott began riding racehorses when he was a 10-year-old boy, with his final win coming in his 60th year. In the intervening five decades, he established himself as arguably the greatest jockey of all time.

He won 4,493 races; was champion jockey 11 times; prevailed in a record nine Derbys among 30 Classics triumphs; and enjoyed 116 Royal Ascot winners.

He rode countless champions, chief among them perhaps being the Vincent O’Brien – trained Nijinsky, who won the Triple Crown (The 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger) in 1970.

TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR SPORTING LEGEND

Legend. RIP Lester Piggott pic.twitter.com/DHmpnzi7Ol
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 29, 2022

Lester Piggott, who has died aged 86, was in the constellation of his era, with Pele and Muhammad Ali. Born to ride, silently charismatic, a supreme judge of pace, deadly in a finish. Racing will feel shattered by his going. pic.twitter.com/vvhJuLDF25
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) May 29, 2022

"The Greatest" 🐐

An 11-time Champion jockey, Lester Piggott was the first rider to be inducted into the Hall of Fame last year.

His long list of remarkable achievements in the sport will never be repeated.

RIPpic.twitter.com/4jBVgx8fkw
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) May 29, 2022

"He was a very special man. Every word he said, you really hung on to."

Aidan O'Brien pays homage to the legendary Lester Piggott. pic.twitter.com/JgNTN2HOUX
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 29, 2022

'Epsom is where his spirit belongs – for on a racehorse Lester Piggott was nothing short of a genius… His glow should never dim.'

A fitting tribute to a man who did things others could only dream of.

Rest in peace, Lester.

🎙 @broughscott pic.twitter.com/4lUGUIFZut
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 29, 2022